Tues/Thurs 8:00-9:30 am                                                 Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 11-12 noon
Tues/Thurs 9:30-11:00 am                                                                    Tues 3-4 pm
Wed 7:00-10:00 pm                                                                             Wed 5-7 pm

How to reach me: Phone message 818/364-7689 Mon 6-7pm
                            Email [email protected]

Course Description: English 21 is a course in reading and writing designed to strengthen the student's basic communication skills including grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence construction. Emphasis is also placed on the writing of competent paragraphs.

Course Objectives: As a result of completing this course, students will be able to demonstrate mastery of basic grammar, mechanics, sentence structure, and control of the fundamentals of paragraph structure and development.

Required: Grassroots: With Readings, 6th Edition by Fawcett and Sandberg

college dictionary and/or thesaurus

highlighter

stapler

scantron tests (at least 15)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

General:

1. Any assignments must be turned in on the due date. No late papers will be accepted.

2. Attendance is required. Missing more than the equivalent of three hours of class may result in either failing the course or being dropped from the class. If you do miss class, you must make arrangements to get your homework or papers turned in. You are also responsible for anything covered in class that day. So get a classmate’s phone number. Name ____________________ Phone Number _________________

3. Arriving late to class is disruptive and unacceptable. Anyone later than 15 minutes will be marked absent for that class period. Leaving early will count as a tardy, and leaving more than 15 minutes early will count as an absence.

4. If you decide to drop the class, you must complete the proper paperwork. If you simply stop coming to class, your name will remain on the roster and you will receive no credit for the class. This will show up on your transcript.

Exercises: Exercises will be discussed and checked on the day they appear on the syllabus. Therefore, complete exercises before coming to class that day. The exercises are designed to give you an opportunity to practice what we discuss in class and what you will be tested on. We will not have time to go over the answers to every homework exercise in class, but you can check any answers during my office hours.

Weekly Tests: You will be required to take a weekly comprehensive multiple choice grammar and mechanics test. You must achieve an average of 70% on these tests to pass the class. You will be given the opportunity to retake any of the tests if you wish. The times available for retesting are either during my office hours or during my other English 21 classes. Just speak to me after class to make an appointment. Scores will be posted in my office within 24 hours of taking a test (or retaking a test). You may come see them at any time, whether I am there or not.

Important: Do not mark on tests

Do not take tests or answer sheets from the classroom

Writing Assignments: Occasionally, you will be required to write paragraphs. These must be typed in MLA style (to be discussed later) and turned in on the due date.

Plagiarism and Cheating: This is the use of another person's words as if they were your own. Plagiarism will result in a failing paper and possibly failing the class. In addition, cheating will not be tolerated. If caught cheating, you will receive a zero for that test, and you will not be given the opportunity to retake it.

Grades: The final grade in this class is either CREDIT or NO CREDIT. To receive credit for this class, you must complete all assignments, turn in all homework, and earn a 70% average score on the multiple choice tests. In addition, you must score a 70% on the final exam.

Date Assignment

8/18 syllabus / introduction to class

8/20 GR p. 238-247, 336-340 (nouns)

8/25 Test #1 Nouns

8/27 GR p. 248-267, 115-116, 219-221(pronouns)

9/1 Test #2 Pronouns

9/3 GR p. 94-181 (verbs)

9/8 no class

9/10 Test #4 Verbs

9/15 GR p 268-280 (adjectives/adverbs)

9/17 Test #3 Adjectives

9/22 Test #5 Adverbs

9/24 GR p. 281-288 (prepositions)

9/29 Test #6 Prepositions

10/1 GR p. 186-200 (Coordination/subordination)

10/6 Test #7 Coordination/Subordination

10/8 GR p. 66-88 (fragments)

10/13 Test #8 Fragments

10/15 GR p. 201-208 (run ons and comma splices)

10/20 Test #9 Run Ons

10/22 combining sentences

10/27 Test #10 Sentences

10/29 GR p. 324-346 (commas)

11/3 Test #11 Commas

11/5 GR p. 296-310 (consistency)

11/10 Test #12 Consistency

11/12 GR p. 354-395 (spelling)

11/17 Test #13 Spelling

11/19 GR p. 4-59 (writing) / assign paragraph

11/24 GR p. 4-59 (writing) / paragraph due / assign new paragraph

11/26 Thanksgiving

12/1 handout – reading / new paragraph due / assign final paragraph

12/3 Test #14 Paragraphs

12/8 review / final paragraph due

12/15 Final Exam

Tues/Thurs 8-930 am – Dec 15, 8:30-10:30 am

Tues/Thurs 930-11 am – Dec 10, 8:30-10:30 am

Wed 7-10 pm – Dec 16, 7:00-10:00 pm