ENC 0021

COLLEGE PREPARATORY WRITING III

4 CREDITS

Instructor: Alejandro Salinas

Department: Communication, Arts, & Philosophy
Office Hours: M: T:. W:

R: F: S:

Office: 1371
Telephone: (305)237-6358
E-mail: asalinas@mdc.edu
Fax: 305-237-6141

Texts:
• Langan, John. College Writing Skills with Readings 7th Ed, McGraw-Hill, New
York, 2001.
•Pocket dictionary and/or Spanish-English dictionary

Goals and Objectives:

• To increase the frequency of writing activity by regularly requiring written
composition.
• To promote the discovery of topics to write about by training students in at least
three techniques for getting ideas and narrowing topics.
• To improve essay organization and writing skills by assigning readings as
touchstones for discussion and analysis of effective written communication.
• To improve word-choice and use of supporting detail in composition by giving
prompt written and verbal instructor feedback.

Grading Criteria:
• Textbook assignments and readings (15%)
• Writing assignments (40%)
• Service-Learning Project (15%)
• Quizzes (15%)
• Lab participation (1 hour per week required) (15%)
• Instructor’s assessment (attendance, class participation, optional assignment)

Service-Learning:
Please note that this course has a service-learning component. You will participate in a four-
hour service-learning project that will account for about 15% of the semester's grade, and which
will be the subject of some of our writing and class discussion. I will suggest some sites for you
to complete your service-learning, but you’re also welcome to find a site on your own that is
more convenient and fits your interests and passions. Some of you may choose to work as
tutors and mentors with children, mostly low-income, in community centers and schools near
our campus; some may choose to advocate for immigrant rights; and some may choose to work
at a community garden on Saturday mornings. The interactions we have through service-
learning give us a powerful context for understanding the psychology of people and social
problems like poverty and racism.

Service-learning is one of the most exciting and challenging aspects of the course. Keep in
mind, though, that it is not volunteer work. It is not extra work. Service-learning is one of the
many tools we’re using to learn the course content, and it is mandatory.
Grading Policy: Grades of U, P, S will be assigned as follows:
U- Unsatisfactory: Students fail to do the required work; are excessively absent from class or lab.
Student show progress in skills mastery; however, the total performance level still requires further
improvement. (Students repeat course).
P- Progress: Students show progress in mastery; however, the total performance level still
requirements further improvement. (Students repeat course)
S- Satisfactory: Students have demonstrated competency in meeting the exit criteria for the
course as evidence by in-class and lab work and 61 % on the college-wide exit exam. (Students
may register for ENC 1101).
I-There are no incompletes

Drops: If students are unable to continue in the course, they must notify the instructor. It is their
responsibility to fill out an official withdrawal form with the registrar’s office. If they do not
officially withdraw, they may receive a U in the course.

Attendance and Make-Ups:

• Class participation and assignments are an integral part of a satisfactory grade.
• If you are absent three consecutive classes, the instructor may drop you from the class.
• Homework and in-class exercises can not be made up. All essays submitted late, whether
first or final draft, will be penalized by 1 point. After one class period, they will not be
accepted.
• A documented emergency will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Policies:
• Plagiarism means producing a work that is fully or partly someone else’s and claming it
as your own. Plagiarized work will receive an “F.” You also risk facing disciplinary
action by the college.
• I will hand your papers back to you to keep; it is your responsibility to hold on to them.
• All students must come to class prepared with their own books and materials. In the
interest of fairness to all students who desire a classroom environment conducive to
learning, no students will be allowed to share books. If students come to class without
their own books, they must not infringe upon the rights of those who come prepared.
• Beepers and cellular phones must be turned off prior to class

Academic Integrity: You are expected to adhere to the policies of academic integrity as
outlined in the Students' Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. Violation of the policies will
result in disciplinary action also outlined in the handbook.