Balmforth - English 990-007 Syllabus

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

English 990-002: Integrated Reading and Writing Syllabus
MWF 10:00 a.m. in TB445
Instructor:
Alena Balmforth
Email:
abalmfor@bruinmail.slcc.edu
Office:
Taylorsville/Redwood Campus - TB516C
Telephone: Office (801) 957-4582
Cell (801) 573-7179
Consultation:Tuesday and Thursday, 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
or by appointment
Course Description:
This course is designed to help you become more confident and versatile readers and writers
and to prepare you for college-level reading and writing tasks. Through reading and writing we
think, learn, discover ideas, remember, and then communicate what we have thought, learned,
discovered, and remembered. In this capacity, texts act as conversations between writers and
readers that happen in particular situations and with specific purposes. In order to be more
successful in these textual conversations and to grow as learners, we will read and write a
great deal as we examine the significance of language and literacy in our lives.
Professor James Paul Gee reminds us that its important to say the right thing at the right
time and in the right place in order to accomplish our goals. This is true at home and at work,
and it is also very much true at school. This course will help you navigate the writing tasks you
encounter at school so that you can write the right things at the right times to the right
audiences. At the same time, it will help you become not only a better writer and reader, but
also a better communicator, so that you can come to new reading and writing tasks with
confidence.
Note about basic writing course content: I believe that basic writers should engage in similar
reading and writing activities as transfer-level college writers, but with more built-in support over
the course of the semester. Therefore, there are fewer, shorter signature assignments to
account for students getting more time to read texts closely and critically; and to draft, receive
feedback, and revise their writing.
Required Materials:
There is no textbook for this course. Instead, you must purchase access to my course page for
McGraw Hills Connect Integrated Reading and Writing online learning program. I will give you a
code in class to buy access online. You may also buy access at the College Bookstore. (It will
be cheaper for you to buy access directly online rather than through SLCCs bookstore.) Youll
also need access to a printer or money to make copies in the library and a folder for submitting
major assignments.
Prerequisites:
Students enrolled in Engl 0990 must have met one of the following requirements:
an ACT score between 16 and 19,
an Accuplacer Reading Comprehension score between 58 and 74,
successful completion of Wrtg0900 with a C (not C-) or better.

Balmforth - English 990-007 Syllabus

Course Objectives:
1. To understand the ways readers read and writers write in and beyond the college, across a
range of tasks.
2. To understand reading and writing as knowledge-making processes, and to develop a
metacognitive understanding of the processes of reading and writing.
3. To introduce students to the rhetorical situations of reading and writing, and to understand
that good writing is dependent on the situation, readers, and uses for which it is created.
4. To engage in reading and writing as a way to make sense of the world, and to experience
literacy as problem solving, reasoning, and reflecting.
5. To develop enjoyment, satisfaction, and confidence in reading and writing.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will:
1. Understand the rhetorical situation of reading and writing tasks and use pre-reading and prewriting strategies, such as accessing prior knowledge, generating ideas, and establishing
outcomes.
2. Use comprehension strategies to make meaning of textual information in a variety of
readings, such as understanding textual features; annotating, skimming, and scanning; and
identifying and correcting reading miscues.
3. Use invention and drafting strategies to compose a variety of texts that demonstrate
consideration of purpose and audience, clear focus around a controlling idea, and effective
organization.
4. Use revision strategies such as considering peer, self, and instructor feedback to re-see
writing-in-progress; revising multiple drafts; and editing texts to conform to Standard English
when appropriate.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking through analysis, synthesis, application, metacognition, and
reflection in their reading and writing practices.
Guidelines and Requirements:
Student Assessment:
Your final grade for this course will consist of three parts: your participation, the development of
your writing process, and your writing. Activities you will be graded on include 1) preparation
and participation, 2) writing assignments, 3) peer group activities, 4) in- and out- of class
assignments, 5) quizzes, and 6) other activities as assigned. There is no final exam in this
course.
Grading Scale:
A
A-

93 - 100%
90 - 92%

B+
B
B-

87 89%
83 86%
80 82%

C+
C
C-

77 79%
73 76%
70 72%

D+
D
D-

67 69%
63 67%
60 62%

E 59% or below

Attendance:
Attendance and participation are vital in terms of final points and grades and most in-class
assignments and activities cannot be made up.
If you drop the course for some reason, please follow the procedures outlined in the General
Catalog. If you officially withdraw from the course by Friday, October 30, 2015, you will receive
a W grade, which is not calculated into your GPA. If you simply stop coming to class but do

Balmforth - English 990-007 Syllabus

not officially withdraw, you will receive an E grade.
Advancement:
You must pass Engl 0990 with a grade of C (not C-) or higher to enroll in Engl 1010. If you do
not pass, you have the option to re-take the placement test, but a fee may apply.
Positive Classroom Environment.
Because this class is a participatory learning community, people may not disrupt the class with
their words or actions. Rude, sarcastic, obscene, or disrespectful speech and inappropriate
behaviors are unacceptable. I reserve the right to ask students to leave who are committing any
actions I believe to be toxic to our positive learning environment. Additionally, it is disrespectful
when you answer phone calls or text while others are speaking during class. Feel free to use a
laptop or tablet computer to take notes or conduct class-related activities; however, please dont
use these devices to browse the web during class. Lets be respectful of one another and enjoy
our time together.
Student Writing Center. SLCCs Student Writing Center gives you the opportunity to discuss
your work with a peer tutor or a faculty advisor. Advisors are available to help you with any
writing assignment for any class you take. When you go to the Student Writing Center, be
prepared with questions for your advisor. To make an appointment, stop by the Student Writing
Center in AAB129 on the Redwood campus. Or call 801-957-4893. Online advising is also
availablefor more information, go to www.slcc.edu/swc.
Publication Center. The English Department administers the Publication Center, a space
dedicated to helping students develop multimedia projects (as well as many other types of
projects). Please consider this resource as you undertake your projects in this course.
Plagiarism. Students commit plagiarism when they submit another authors work as their own.
Plagiarism also includes the failure to attribute unique phrases, passages, or ideas to their
original source. Plagiarism is a violation of the student code of conduct. If youre ever unsure
about whether you are or might be plagiarizing, ask me and Ill help you figure it out.
Accommodation for Disabilities. Students with medical, psychological, learning or other
disabilities desiring accommodations or services under ADA, should contact the Disability
Resource Center (DRC). The DRC determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of
these accommodations and services for the college. Please contact the DRC at the Student
Center, Suite 244, Redwood Campus, 4600 So. Redwood Rd, 84123. Phone: (801) 957-4659,
TTY: 957-4646, Fax: 957- 4947 or by drc@slcc.edu.
Title IX. Title IX states that, No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be
excluded from participation in, be denied benefit of, or be subjected to discrimination under any
education program or activity receiving federal funds. SLCC is committed to investigating
sexual discrimination complaints.
Examples of violations (but not limited to):
Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and sexually motivated physical conduct
Overt or subtle pressure for sexual activity
Sexually offensive verbalization including remarks, teasing, slurs, and innuendo
Repeated inappropriate jokes or comments about sex or gender specific traits
Conduct that is demeaning or derisive and occurs substantially because of ones gender

Balmforth - English 990-007 Syllabus

Sexual assault
Sexual violence
Gender based disparate treatment
Violations can occur in any college environment, such as (but not limited to):
Field Trips
Student Clubs
Transportation

Classrooms
Athletics
On Campus Events

If you have questions or concerns regarding your rights or responsibilities, or if you would like to
file a Title IX complaint please contact: Dr. Marlin Clark, Dean of Students, 801-957-4776, STC
276 A (Redwood). Salt Lake Community College has a strong prohibition against
RETALIATION! The college does not tolerate acts of retaliation against anyone for engaging in
filing a complaint or participating in an investigation.
FAQs.
Where do we find homework assignments and other course updates?
You will find homework details beyond what is listed on the schedule and course updates
posted on Canvas. Also, please check your bruinmail email often. If I need to update the
entire class quickly (for example, if I must cancel class), I will email you.
What did I miss?
Please do not casually ask me this question. It is your responsibility to track assignments by
checking the Canvas page and contacting other students when you miss a class. Be sure to
exchange contact information with others in the class for this reason. If you have a specific
question, then of course your may email me.
How can I make up missed work?
You may not make up late work or work you do not complete because of an absence. If you
will be absent the day an assignment is due, please email it to me before the beginning of
class on the day it is due.
How can I reach you outside of class?
The best way to reach me is to email me at abalmfor@bruinmail.slcc.edu Please allow me
24 hours to respond Monday through Friday. I generally respond to weekend emails on
Mondays. Phone messages go to my email, so I will likely respond to you by email if you
leave a phone message.
What should I do if Im confused or having problems?
Please talk to me. We can work through challenges together. Send me an email to set up an
appointment with me.
Assignments:
During the semester, various assignments will be given as they become relevant to your
progress. In addition, you are required to read outside of class on your own, write in-class
responses, prepare formal writing assignments, share your work, respond to others work, and
participate in reader-response peer group sessions. Directions and due dates will be given for
each assignment during the semester. You are required to keep every assignment that you
submit until the semester ends.
All assignments are due at the beginning of class.

Balmforth - English 990-007 Syllabus

Please be flexible. Guidelines, requirements, and assignments are subject to change depending
on the progress of the class.
Engl990 -002 Tentative Schedule (Unit 1)
This is a flexible schedule and may change. Please check Canvas for updates. Homework is
posted on the day that its due.
HW DUE = homework due at the beginning of the class period
IC = in class
Unit 1:
Wednesday
August 26
Friday
August 28
Monday
August 31
Wednesday
September 2
Friday
September 4

Monday
September 7
Wednesday
September 9
Friday
September 11
Monday
September 14
Wednesday
September 16
Friday
September 18
Monday
September 21
Wednesday
September 23
Friday
September 25

[IC] Review syllabus.

[IC] Introduction to course and each other
[IC] Diagnostic essay.
[HW DUE] Read How Teachers Make Children Hate Reading and
be prepared to talk about it during class.
[IC] Discuss reading.
[IC] Explain Power of Process.
[IC] Complete Power of Process for How Teachers Make Children
Hate Reading.
[HW DUE] Read Superman and Me
[HW DUE] Complete Power of Process for Superman and Me
[IC] Discuss Superman and Me Topic: What is your reading and
writing history?
[IC] Discuss reading process.
No Class
Labor Day
[HWDUE] Read School Days of an Indian Girl
[HW DUE] Complete power of process for School Days of an
Indian Girl
[IC] Discuss reading. Topic: Literacy, Race and Class
[HW DUE] Read Always Living in Spanish and English
[HW DUE] Complete power of process for Always Living in
Spanish and English
[IC] Discuss reading.
[IC] Discuss the writing process
[IC] Introduce Major Assignment 1. Topic: multilingualism and
literacy
[HW DUE] Complete a sentence outline or a zero draft for Major
Assignment 1
[IC] Examine student example essays. Discuss genre in more
detail.
[HW DUE] Bring a complete first draft of your literacy narrative to
class. Bring your questions for the instructor.
[IC] Submit your first draft to the instructor
[IC] First draft returned for revision
[IC] Discuss the revision process
[HW DUE] Revise draft.
[IC] Peer Review
[HW DUE] Major Assignment 1 Portfolio
[IC] Reflection on Unit 1 and introduction to Unit 2

Balmforth - English 990-007 Syllabus