Division: College and Career Preparation

Course name: Basic Skills 044: Reading and Writing for College and Career Readiness (0 units)
Section: 12311 / Semester & Year: Winter 2019

Class Dates: January 2 – February 3 Class Days/Times: MoTuWeTh 1:00 pm – 2:20 pm

Class Location: West LA College Classroom: MSA-010

Instructor Name: Chase Selby Instructor E-mail: selbyc@wlac.edu

Instructor Phone #: (310) 287-4228 Instructor Office: HLRC-137 (first floor)
Office Hours: We 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Course Description:

Welcome to Basic Skills 44! This class was advertised as an “English Boot Camp” for students looking to brush
up on their reading and writing skills during a quick winter intersession. The ultimate goal of the Boot Camp is
to provide students with a free course that will prepare them to transition to college & career writing.

Topics covered in this course include scanning a text, annotation, reading for main idea, reading strategies,
sentence structure and variation, summarizing, responding to a text critically, paragraph structure, essay
structure, and vocabulary, among others. We will be completing a variety of different writing assignments, out
of class and in class, based on assigned readings, classroom discussion, and personal experience. We will also
be discussing how writers communicate their ideas through writing by measuring, analyzing, and engaging
critically with the readings.

I will push each student to his, her, or their potential, setting the bar high for each student, and we will
constantly be learning from each other. All I ask is for students to give their best effort and submit their best
work. Upon completion of the class, you should not only be ready to be successful in future writing classes, but
you should also have the framework to successfully engage in the critical conversation that takes place both in
the classroom and in the world around us, forming highly nuanced arguments on issues that affect us all.

FREE College Philosophy:

West’s Free College welcomes everyone who wants to start or re-start college. Our classes are open-entry,
open-exit, so students can start anytime and leave for another class or job if they need to. However, all students
are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to attend every class session so they can receive the information, knowledge,
and skills needed to help them advance in their academic and career/employment goals. There are no tuition or
fees for noncredit courses. The instructors usually provide instructional materials free of charge. However, there
are some courses where students are required to bring or pay for required materials/books.

Required Texts and Materials

● Texts and course-related handouts provided by instructor

● Pen, paper, and a positive outlook

Class Policies

Attendance and Sign-In Sheet

All students MUST sign in on the sign-in sheet BEFORE they sit down. We are required to account for every
person who attends a class session. When we are in class, we will make ample use of our time discussing ideas
or texts, completing readings, writing in class, debating, and getting together for group work. This all means
that being present is important. I recommend not missing any of our classes, if you can! Refer to our grading
policy to see how attendance, and by extension, participation, plays into the course grading.

As a general rule, it is always advisable to let me know if you will be absent from class.

Preparedness
Hold yourself accountable to attend every class meeting/training, arrive on time, and stay through the entirety;
this part is easy. Push yourself to come to each class session prepared and ready to talk, write, and participate;
this part is the one that students often have trouble with. Make the most of your time here. Here is a secret: class
is actually more interesting, and time goes by faster, when you are prepared and engaged.

Cell Phones and Texting

Our class will be a community of exchanged ideas. I will give you some of my ideas, and more often,
students will share theirs. It is my hope that we are all here for the same reason: to learn! I hope we all can
successfully pick up ideas and ways of thinking about issues and topics that we did not have before. Cell phones
are annoying in class and prevent the stuff above from going on. Let’s all help each other out and keep the
texting and cell phone usage to breaks and after class.

Etiquette and Discussion

During this course, we will engage in discussion about controversial topics (for some), such as race, class, and
other social issues. It is important to respect each other by avoiding hostile language and comments. You may
not agree with the views and opinions expressed by your peers or your instructor, but you do not have the right
to be disrespectful. Thoughtful disagreement and debate are crucial to learning and are thus very much
welcome.

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Although this is rarely a problem, racist, sexist, homophobic, and other discriminatory language, along with
personal attacks, vulgarity, and comments that are not productive additions to the conversation will not be
tolerated. This classroom is a safe space for all identities!

College Policies

Academic Integrity (Plagiarism)

Although it is a rare occurrence in the classroom, it does not hurt to remind students to always be aware of
avoiding academic dishonesty.

In accordance with code 9803.28, turning in another’s work as your own and/or using quotes or ideas that are
not your own without citing the original source is considered plagiarism. If using someone else’s exact words,
you need to use quotation marks and cite. In addition, turning in the same essay for more than one class without
notifying the instructors is considered plagiarism. When paraphrasing, you need to cite the original source.
Simply changing a word or two in a sentence is not paraphrasing, nor does it mean that the sentence is original
writing.

If you feel a desire to plagiarize, whether it is because you lack the time to complete the assignment, you don’t
understand the assignment, or perhaps because you don’t feel confident about the assignment, please return
back to this message:

YOU ARE HERE TO LEARN AND GROW. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY ROBS YOU OF THESE
OPPORTUNITIES AND RUNS COUNTER TO DEVELOPMENT. THERE ARE AMPLE
RESOURCES FOR YOU. PLEASE SPEAK WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR, AND I AM SURE WE CAN
FIGURE THIS OUT!

Plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment, possible dismissal from the class, and possible disciplinary
action from the college. If you are concerned if you are plagiarizing or not, please do not hesitate to see or
contact me. I am very friendly, encouraging, and supportive until I discover plagiarized writing. Please don’t
do it!

Recording Devices
State law in California prohibits the use of any electronic listening or recording device in a classroom without
prior consent of the instructor and college administration. Any student who needs to use electronic aids must
secure the consent of the instructor. If the instructor agrees to the request, a notice of consent must be forwarded
to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for approval (WLAC College Catalog). For more information, refer
to the attached link: http://www.wlac.edu/academics/pdf/WLAC_Catalog_Policies.pdf

Campus Resources

Office of Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSP&S)

Student Services Building (SSB) 320 | (310) 287-4450
West Los Angeles College recognizes and welcomes its responsibility to provide an equal educational
opportunity to all disabled individuals. The Office of Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) has
been established to provide support services for all verified disabled students pursuing a college education.
DSP&S students may qualify for: priority registration, registration assistance, special parking permits, sign
language interpreters and assistive technology (WLAC College Catalog).
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Learning Resource Center
Heldman Learning Resources Center (HLRC) | (310) 287-4404
Improve your reading, language, vocabulary, spelling, math fundamentals, chemistry knowledge, etc. with
convenient, self-paced computer-aided courses in the Learning Skills Center. Increase your knowledge and
learning success: sign up for tutoring in various college subjects (WLAC College Catalog).

Library Services
Heldman Learning Resources Center (HLRC) | (310) 287-4269 & (310) 287-4486
The WLAC Library provides instruction on how to use the online catalog, periodical and research databases. In
addition to a large collection of books, periodicals and videos the WLAC Library has course textbooks which
students may use while in the Library. Web access is available in LIRL as well as meeting rooms. The upper
floors provide a beautiful view ideal for study (WLAC College Catalog).
For more information, refer to attached link:
http://www.wlac.edu/academics/pdf/WLAC_Catalog_Policies.pdf

Campus Sherriff’s Office (Emergency Preparedness)

C3 Building, Parking Lot 5 | (310) 287-4311 & (310) 287-4314
For more information, refer to attached link: http://www.wlac.edu/Sheriff/Index.aspx

The Sherriff’s Office website includes information about drill or emergency building evacuations, Title IX
resources (if you have been the victim of Sexual Harassment; Sexual Violence and/or Gender-Based
Discrimination), and what do to in the event of a lock-down or active shooter situation.

Assignments and Grading

Most of the assignments for the course are writing based. Your final grade will be assessed according to your
performance in class and on the class assignments.

For this course, the breakdown of the 8 main assignments is as follows:

# of Total % of Total
Assignment Category Assign. Points Per Assignment Points Grade
Participation Tracker 10 2 20 20%
Entrance/Exit Tickets 20 1 20 20%
Essay 1 (in class, 1-2 pages) 1 0 0 0%
Essay 2 (2 pages) 1 10 10 10%
Essay 3 (3 pages) 1 15 15 15%
Best Essay Revision (revision with
1 20 20
added sources - 4 pages) 20%
Best Essay Revision Presentation 1 10 10 10%
Self-Assessment/Reflection (1 page) 1 5 5 5%
Grand Total 100 100%
40 - 69 = Satisfactory 0 - 39 = No
70-100 = Pass (P) Progress (SP) Pass (NP)

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All assignments submitted (especially the essays for the course) will be in accordance with current MLA style.
The instructor will cover the basics of formatting early on in the course, but if additional assistance is needed,
please consult:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

If an essay is due in class, I will not accept an electronic copy in lieu of a hard copy!

Noncredit course grades are Pass, Satisfactory Progress, and No Pass. Students can also receive an NGG
(no grade given). Noncredit course grades are NOT calculated into one’s grade point average and do
NOT affect one’s financial aid since they have no unit value.

A “Pass” grade is required for this course to be counted towards earning the Foundation of English Certificate
of Competency. See the online catalog for more information on how to earn this certificate at
http://www.wlac.edu/Academic/College-Catalog.aspx

Breakdown of Assignments

Course Readings (not a main assignment, but still important!)

You will have reading assignments to complete from printed short readings and our course texts. Do your best
to keep up because writing assignments will be based on these readings. Reading assignments should be
completed prior to the due date on the syllabus. Don’t fall behind, and don’t wait until the last minute to read,
and the readings will be much more enjoyable. Some readings will be completed in class!

Participation
I hope you actively participate in this course. I say this because I find that the students who are most engaged
are often the ones who are most successful in the class. Student participation is crucial because the classroom is
not all about me; it is a community. A large part of this class will be the sharing of ideas, so student
participation in way of discussion in class is important. Our course will include class discussion and activities,
group work, and this is why it is important to come to class prepared. If you are a shy student, I will push you
for some of your input, but I never aim to make any student feel uncomfortable.

To earn participation, students will track and receive signatures on a Participation Tracker handed out early
during the class. When a student participates, they will log the date of their participation, make a small note of
what was said, and at the end of class, present this sheet to the instructor for a signature. This sheet will be
turned in at the end of the course, with students filling out 10 slots.

Entrance/Exit Tickets
Students will often be given short writing assignments that coincide with the particular reading completed. The
most significant goal of these assignments is to have students making sense and then thoughtfully responding to
the readings (and ideas that they present).

The instructor will occasionally assign these short assignments, at will, both to take home (and bring back the
next class meeting as entrance tickets) or to complete solely in class (and hand in at the end of class as exit
tickets). They are not listed on our schedule of assignments. These assignments will be more informal in nature
than essays and most do not require to be typed (although you may do this if you would like).

If you are absent, you will miss the entrance/exit ticket for that particular day, so please plan accordingly.
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Essays
You will turn in 4 essays over the course (3 original and 1 revision of your best paper). Your essays will range
from 1-4 pages. Some essays with be thesis-driven argumentative papers that incorporate the course readings;
others may be narrative-based. Essays are where students really show their grasp on the materials and where
they show progress as both writers and as readers. These essays will be written both inside and outside of the
classroom and should be typed on a computer and in correct MLA format.

There are computer labs in several locations on campus and there are tutors available to assist you in these
essays. It is strongly encouraged that students visit the Learning Resource Center on campus and take advantage
of the various tutoring resources provided.

We will complete both peer reviews and instructor conferences for most of these essays. We will often work in
groups to peer review students’ papers, so you will occasionally be asked to bring additional copies on draft
days. Draft days are marked on the course schedule of assignments.

Presentation
A final presentation will take place during the last class meeting(s) of the semester. Students will give a short
rundown of their Best Essay Revision, illuminating the various points made in the paper and presenting their
argument and conclusions to the class. More instructions will be handed out closer to the presentation dates.

Self-Assessment/Reflection Essay
At the end of the semester, students will compose a piece of writing that has them looking back on the semester
and the skills they acquired. This letter will have students assessing their performance in the class, reflecting on
how they have progressed as a writer, reader, and thinker, and looking ahead to how they will apply these skills
to future classes and to their lives in general. Specific instructions for this assignment will be distributed to
students before it is due.

AND FINALLY...

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Skim a text to understand the general idea of an article, industry report, or technical manuals.
• Scan a text related to a specific career field to find specific information.
• Read and analyze diagrams, charts, and graphs relating to specific industries or jobs.
• Annotate a text or technical report by underlining or commenting in the margins.
• Identify the main ideas, details, and vocabulary in a text related to specific CTE areas or industry fields.
• Apply reading strategies to a given text.
• Construct a variety of sentences (simple, compound, and complex) using appropriate sentence structure.
• Incorporate work-related vocabulary into writing.
• Summarize the important points in a text.
• Respond to the key points mentioned in the reading.
• Utilize the writing process to develop a paragraph.
• Organize an argument into a well-supported paragraph.
• Construct a paragraph by applying one of the rhetorical modes

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

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At the end of the course, students will:
• Demonstrate effective reading by annotating, applying one or more reading apprenticeship strategies.
• Effectively summarize a graphic organizer/infographic related to the workplace.