Advanced Reading III

ENGLISH B31

Advanced Reading

Professor: Rodacker-Borgens Ms. BethSpring 2011

M &W 6:00-7:25pmPhone: 395-4793

E-mail: erodacke@bakersfieldcollege.eduOffice & Hours: FA 61, M & W 3:15-5:45pm

Course Objectives: ENSL B31 is an advanced reading course for international/bilingual students, designed to help develop high level reading skills and vocabulary in English. Placement is based on the BC ESL Assessment test, ENSL B51 with a minimum grade of C, or at least an English 60+ writing level. We will focus on various reading skills and strategies, including comprehension, vocabulary, and critical reading and thinking skills. We will also do some academic writing in class and practice other language skills. All of the language skills that we practice should help you to become a successful reader for college level courses and improve your TOEFL scores.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate critical thinking skills by analyzing college-level prose with general education content from a range of disciplines which may include literary texts

Develop and expand academic vocabulary based on reading selections

Utilize a monolingual dictionary for vocabulary development

Show improvement on a timed reading/vocabulary test and achieve Reading Level 5 or higher

Identify diverse modes of expression by practicing academic discourse in class discussions and presentations

Demonstrate understanding of cultural heritage and diversity

Information Competency:

Locate, comprehend, and use various types of written information to be found in the library or on the Internetfor the purpose of better identifying authors voice, choice of vocabulary, historical and biographical background, point of view and other academic traits.

Course Goals:

At the end of ENSL 31, students will have improved reading skills at the college level. In this course, students will develop and practice:

Critical thinking skills

How to interact successfully with the text via sustained inquiry

Various world views

Successful college-level annotating

Overall language improvement

Critical reading strategies including outlining, paraphrasing, summarizing, and other critical reading strategies

Local, national and international current events

Some of the differences between good and poor readers and other valuable skills necessary to be a successful college reader.

Required texts and materials:

1. E. Brooks & L. Fox, Making Peace.

2. J. Briggs, Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go to War.

3. Getting a Fix on Vocabulary: The System of Affixation in English, using words in the News by Raymond C. Clark and Janie L. Duncan

4. An advanced, monolingual English dictionary.

5. A notebook (8 X 11) for your assignments/homework.

6. Pens/Pencils.

7. Access to a computer and a flashdrive

Course Requirements:

1. Reading Assignments: We will have frequent reading assignments from Making Peace. You must also read the book Innocents Lost: When Child Soldiers Go to War.

2. Reading Guides: You must complete a Reading Guide for most assignments. These are very important and will help make you a better reader. No late Reading Guides will be accepted. Reading Guides must be done before class begins and submitted on Moodle.

3. Quizzes/Reading Checks: Unannounced quizzes/reading checks will be given in class, so make sure you keep up with all reading assignments. Also pay close attention to all films/videos shown in class and class discussions. You may be quizzed over these as well.

4. Homework Assignments: Often homework will be given during class. Homework is due the following class session, unless otherwise specified. You will have weekly assignments from Getting a Fix on Vocabulary . Keep up with all homework by doing it on time and regularly.

5. Collaborative Learning: Reading 31 is often run as a learning workshop: students read, discuss, and sometimes write about a number of essays from our text. You are expected to prepare for and participate during group/pair work in class. A significant portion of your grade is attributed to group work.

6. Current Events: During occasional class periods, we will discuss current events. All students will prepare written and oral reports about current events in the local, national or international news. You must choose an article from the Internet or library. Please see the additional handout about this assignment. Your topics must be connected to a theme in class and approved beforehand by the instructor. Please check the syllabus for appropriate days. Each student must complete two (2) Current Events. This course assignment fulfills the Information Competency requirement stated on page 1.

7. Studenthood: You must accept responsibility for this course. This includes attending class, completing your homework, participating in class, and acting like an adult. We may have discussions about studenthood periodically throughout the semester.

8. Final Project: Students will present a Final Project connected to our book Innocents Lost with a partner about a theme discussed in the book. Each presentation will have both an oral and written part. More details will follow.

9. Final Exam: This will be Wednesday, May 11th 12noon-1:50pm.

Grading:

Grading options: A, B, C, D, F. Grade breakdown: Reading & Final Project 30%, Tests & Quizzes 10%, Studenthood, Collaborative Learning, and Homework 20%, Reading Guides 20%, & Current Events 20%. All students start with an A. It is up to you to keep it! Some assignments may be graded with a (satisfactory), + (superior work), or - (needs improvement).

Attendance Policy:

Class is fun. Class is where the action is. Attendance will be taken at every class meeting. If you leave early, you will be counted absent. Often very important information is stated at the beginning of class; please be on time. Do not walk in and out of class. Students who come in late disrupt the class. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will be counted absent. If you are tardy three times, you receive 1 absence. Select three class members to contact in case of your absence. Be sure to update this list as needed.

Name____________________Phone_________________E-mail________________

Name____________________Phone_________________E-mail________________

Name____________________Phone_________________E-mail________________

Other Information:

You are responsible for all assignments handed out and announcements made in class, even if you are absent. In order to improve your reading skills in English, you must take an active role in your own language learning. Homework and assignments from other classes cannot be done in this class. Please speak only English! No talking during tests or quizzes! If you speak during any quizzes/tests, you will be warned once. After your first warning, you must turn your quiz in and receive a 0. All homework and assignments are due before class begins. You must always bring paper, your textbooks, a pen/pencil, and your journal notebook to class. Please listen to others while they speak. No headsets, ipods, ear pieces, etc. are allowed in class. Make sure your cell phones and pagers are turned off during class. No text messaging during class. Disruptions from phones ringing, beepers, pagers or other technological noises are not acceptable in class and will not be tolerated. If you are disrespectful and impolite by talking while someone else is talking, your grade will be lowered. Changing from Credit/Non-Credit is your responsibility. If you have any problems with the class or want to discuss your grade and assignment or anything else, I will be happy to meet with you. My office hours are posted on my office door. Save all your essays, papers, assignments, homework etc. until after the semester is over and your grade is posted. Lost assignments are the students responsibility.

Important Dates

Feb. 22: Last day to delete classes without receiving "W" grades

April 1: Last day to drop from classes and receive "W" grades

Check the BC website for other important dates.

Suggestions for Success:

Dont miss class or come to class unprepared! When you prepare, you will get the most out of class lectures and discussions. Read each assignment before it is discussed in class. See me early in the semester if you have any trouble understanding the assignments or other aspects of the course. Form study groups with fellow classmates; dont wait until the night before to complete your assignments! Work with a tutor on any assignments that are especially difficult. FREE tutoring is available. Study for the TOEFL online at www.toefl.org.

Accommodations:

Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs & Services located at Student Services Building, 1st Floor, Counseling Center (661-395-4334), as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

Academic Integrity Statement:

Plagiarism is using someone elses work and claiming it as your own. Do not do this! When you complete your assignments, including Current Events, you must use your own words. If you are using another person or author in your work, cite him/her (attribute the idea to him/her). The penalty for academic dishonesty is an F in the course. For more information, see the BC catalogue page 31.