Navigating Your MDC Course

Instructor: Vicki LagueRoom: 2202-5

Email: in AngelPhone: 305-237-0921

Website: http://faculty.mdc.edu/vlague

What is expected in college?

You are responsible for› Reading, understanding, and following the

online syllabus (the course contract)› Attending class regularly› Taking notes in class when I convey

information you need to know› Asking questions when you are not sure of or

do not understand something› Participating in classroom activities› If yours is a blended course, completing the

work assigned for each online class

What is expected in college?

You are responsible for› Paying attention to information about using

online resources› Spending three hours on your own (reading,

studying, checking notes, working on assignments, reviewing class material, etc.) for every hour spent in class

› Doing the assigned work by the deadlines› Accepting the consequences for absences or

missing work

What is expected in college?

Be A Problem-Solver by› Finding a reliable way to get to class› Buying your textbooks and supplies on time› Getting help from the Dean of Students if you

cannot buy your texts and supplies on time› Backing-up your documents against loss› Organizing yourself to get work done on time

You will know you have learned when you› Leave the course with more knowledge about

writing than you had when you arrived

What are you really paying for?

Your tuition partially covers things like› The cost of maintaining the building you class

meets in and the college grounds› The cost of services, like the library and

computer labs› Technology in the classroom› Administrative, staff and faculty costs

A small portion of costs are covered by state funds allocated by the legislature

Costs are also sometimes covered by grants the college has won from foundations, like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

What are AML2010 & 2020? A1-year survey of U.S. Literature AML2010 does NOT need to be taken before you

can take AML2020 Skills:

› Written and oral communication Logical thinking and expression of ideas Effective written and oral presentation of ideas Clear organization

› Analytical skills for college, career, and life Written communication Verbal communication Analysis (This is an important one in any literature

course!) Preparation for higher level American Literature courses

when you transfer An understanding of where we have been as a country of

citizens

What is ENC1101? Beginning of a 1-year composition

sequence Satisfies the Gordon Rule writing

requirement Skills:

› Written communication Logical thinking and expression of ideas Effective presentation of ideas Clear organization

› Analytical skills for college, career, and life Written communication Verbal communication Analysis Problem-solving

What is ENC1102? The second half of a 1-year composition

sequence that builds on the skills learned in ENC1101

Satisfies the Gordon Rule writing requirement Skills:

› Research Paper Logical thinking and expression of ideas Effective presentation of ideas Clear organization Acceptable documentation

› Analytical skills for college, career, and life Written communication Verbal communication Analysis Problem-solving

What is LIT2120? The second half of a 2-year World Literature sequence Satisfies the Gordon Rule writing requirement Satisfies the Humanities core requirement Provides knowledge of commonly-studied world

literary masterpieces Skills:

› Papers Logical thinking and expression of ideas Effective presentation of ideas Clear organization Acceptable documentation

› Analytical skills for college, career, and life Written communication Verbal communication to explain a concept or persuade people

to your point of view Analysis Problem-solving

What is LIT2131? An introduction to the literature based on legends of

King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table Transfer to Florida universities as an elective Provides knowledge of commonly-studied Arthurian

Literature Prepares students for further study Skills:

› Papers Logical thinking and expression of ideas Effective presentation of ideas Clear organization Acceptable documentation

› Analytical skills for college, career, and life Written communication Verbal communication to explain a concept or persuade people

to your point of view Analysis Problem-solving

What leads to success? Be prepared for class

› Use the course schedule and calendar in Angel to stay informed Assignments without a listed due date are due by

11:55PM before the next class period› Finish homework before class› Bring books, paper, pens, etc., to participate in

the class Check the online schedule to see which textbook

you will need

What leads to success? Participate in class

› Get ready to take notes when you arrive› Sign the roll sheet when it circulates around

the room or respond promptly if I call roll› If you are late, sign in with me after class› Take notes for everything that is covered

Pay attention Ask questions when you need to Stay “on task” Go over your notes before the next class

What leads to success? Set aside time for study

› 3 hours for every hour in class› Learn material in notes by heart› Use Writing Center and/or Computer Courtyard

Complete all the assignments› Don’t forget Murphy’s Law: Whatever can go

wrong, will!› Read the online assignment handouts carefully› Address the requirements of an assignment to

the best of your ability› Ask questions if you need to› Submit work by their deadlines› Check grades in Angel to know how you are doing

What part will the professor take in the course?

Keep track of attendance Follow the syllabus Decide how to present new material Develop assignments Present course skills (in lectures) Lead classroom activities Answer questions Evaluate the quality of essays and

assign a grade Update grades in Angel regularly

What you are paying for:

Your professor’s expertise in her or her discipline (subject)

Your professor’s professional judgment, an informed opinion based on years of study, training, and experience

What you are not paying for: You are not paying for what your professors

know (a product, like a hamburger), but what your professors think about what they know.

There is no “customer service” because you are students not customers, which requires a lot of work on your part.

You are not paying for the right to be exposed only to things you already know and believe to be true and correct. Instead, you are paying for the opportunity to be exposed to many sides of many ideas and issues so that your intellect can grow . . . whether you like it or not!

How will you know how you are progressing in the course?

Pay attention to feedback on graded assignments› Comments and notes on papers› Comments attached to a grade in Angel

Use feedback to improve on the next assignment

Access Angel regularly to check you in-progress grade

Realize that a missed grade averages in as zero and greatly hurts your course average

If you do not pass the course (earn a C), is there anything you can do to change the grade at the end of semester?

NO

• Individual grades are based on the quality of your work.

• The course grade is a mathematical

computation of individual grades.

• You cannot pass ENC1101 or LIT2120 if you don’t pass the writing assignments.

What do you have to do to make sure you earn a passing grade (C)?

Do everything we have just been talking about to the best of your ability.

I will do everything I can to help you as long as you do everything you can to help yourself.

You have to take charge of your learning. I cannot learn the material for you.