Course Syllabus
E.S.L. 8 Syllabus (Online) 
Advanced ESL Composition (6 units)
Spring, 2021, Section: 25279
Instructor: Ms. Mary Jane Atkins
Fully Online Course
Online Zoom Office Hours: Mon. 1:00 -2:00 pm and Wed. 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Instructor Email: Canvas email: atkinsm@laccd.edu
Campus email: atkinsm@piercecollege.edu
CET (tutor): Azad Azizyan/email: azizyaa5533@student.laccd.edu
CET Zoom Study Sessions: Thursdays, 2:30 to 4:00 pm
General Expectations
This is an entirely online class. This course will be delivered online through the learning management system, Canvas. You will use your Pierce College username and password to log in to the Canvas course.
In Canvas, you will access online lessons, course materials, and resources. At designated times throughout the semester, we will participate in a blend of self-paced activities using Canvas, Zoom Instructor Office Hour meetings, CET tutoring/study session activities, and other internet-based technologies. Activities will consist of online assignments, discussion forums, quizzes, and announcements. Student work is submitted/posted online in Canvas.
Goals and Learning Objectives
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
By the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Analyze college level reading assignments by composing unified, coherent essays with clear thesis statements and specific, relevant support.
- Compose unified, coherent essays with minimal errors in Standard English grammar and mechanics.
Required Textbooks:
(1) Textbook: Great Writing 5, (5th ed.), by Keith S. Folse and Tison Pugh. 2020.
ISBN: 13-978-0-357-02086-9
Photo of Great Writing 5 Textbook
Cengage Publisher to order GW5:
http://cengagebrain.com/micro/LAPIERCE-4356938
(2)Reader: Hidden Figures - Young Readers' Edition, by Margot Lee Shetterly
ISBN:978-0-06-266237-8
EOPS students must order through Pierce bookstore: lapiercecollegestore.com
Course Requirements:
In an online course, you are expected to complete assignments in your own time, but also within the posted deadline and due dates. Do not get behind. Be watchful of due dates!
You will also have the opportunity to actively interact with your teacher and classmates on a regular basis through Discussion Space and attending optional Zoom meetings twice a week.
Participating in this online course on a regular basis assures success. That means completing work the first week and every week thereafter. All of these activities will help you become a better thinker, reader and writer, which is critical to your future success.
Please note that an online course will require many hours of work on your own time. Our class is normally six hours a week in person. As a six-unit/six-hour course like our ESL 8, this means students need to expect at least double that time, or twelve hours every week to complete the required reading, writing, and research homework. Some weeks it may take you less time.
Canvas
If you don’t already know, you need to learn how to use Canvas. Start with Pierce College Home Page. Click on icon on top of page called PierceOnLine, which will direct you to SIS PORTAL sign in. Click on that and you will see how to access SIS and Canvas. You will want to check our ESL 8 Canvas shell every day for Assignments and Announcements.
Below is the link to access Canvas Video Tutorials. This link is located in the LAPC Student Canvas Resources shell on your Dashboard.
Student Canvas Resources Shell
Communication Policy
Even though we are online, I will interact with you often. I will communicate with you in many different ways during this course, and it is important that you know all of these ways so that you can get feedback from me.
- Announcements: On a regular basis, I will send out announcements for important information.
- Assignments: I will write comments in response to submitted work; I will point out grammar/mechanical errors, organizational problems, and content issues. Click on "Feedback" to review my comments.
- Discussions: I will create discussion space for students to interact with each other, and I also may comment on the topic.
- Modules: I will use text, links, and videos in modules to communicate important points.
- Canvas Inbox Messages: Every so often, I will send out messages for important information. Sometimes I will write you individually, and other times I'll send a group message.
RESPONDING TO STUDENT EMAILS:
I will respond to email messages within 24 hours Mon. through Fri - 9am to 5pm. If you don’t hear back from me within 24 hours, assume I did not receive your email and resend it. I generally check my messages on weekends, however not as frequently, so expect an answer within 48 hours, or at the latest by Monday by 5 pm.
I prefer you communicate with me through Canvas using the inbox private messaging atkinsm@laccd.edu. However, you can also email me at my campus email: atkinsm@piercecollege.edu.
ZOOM OFFICE HOURS – TWICE A WEEK
I will be hosting office hours every week by Zoom. This is a good time for us to get to know one another. These live zoom meetings create an opportunity to ask questions and get clarification on assignments or anything about Canvas we can help you with. Watch each week for my posting of the link to join the meeting. These meetings are optional, not mandatory. However, studies have shown (and it is my experience) that students who participate in online meetings with the instructor (and tutor) do better in class because they have a clearer understanding of assignments.
If you'd like to meet me, your instructor, I am inviting you to attend a ZOOM MEETING THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS, FEBRUARY 8. Extra Credit.
ZOOM MEETING THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS, FEBRUARY 8, MONDAY, 1:00 PM.
ZOOM MEETING THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS, FEBRUARY 8, MONDAY 6:00 PM.
It's the next best thing to an in-person meeting. For those students who work during the day, I will come back on at 6:00 pm. on Monday, Feb. 8.
See Announcements to get the link.
Weekly Instructor Online Office Hour Schedule through Canvas:
After the first week, I will have regular zoom office hours:
Monday 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Wednesday, 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Each week a Zoom URL address will be published in Announcements for you to copy and join the meeting. These meetings are optional. I'll be there to answer any questions and clarify assignments or whatever other needs you may have. Do not expect office hours on scheduled holidays.
Weekly Online Tutoring/Study Sessions Schedule with in-class tutor, Azad Azizyan:
Every Thursday (except holidays) - 2:30 to 4:00 pm, Azad will be conducting study sessions on the current lessons for the week, and will be available to answer questions or help with assignments. He will send you the link at the beginning of the semester through Discussion space.
Drop Policy
To not be dropped the first week, students must login to Canvas in the first week of the start of the semester (February 8-12) and complete the assigned exercises. Not doing so may result in your being excluded from the class as a “no show” and a student on the Waiting List will replace you.
If there is any emergency situation that would prevent you from participating (completing assignments) you need to contact me immediately to explain the situation.
At any time after the first week, a student is not going onto Canvas or spending enough time there, not doing the assignments or taking the tests, or not participating in the discussions, I will assume you have stopped participating and drop you from the class.
Ultimately, it is your responsibility to officially drop the class. If you have stopped participating and wish to drop the class, doing so before May 09 will result in a “W” on your record which will not affect your GPA. After May 09, I must assign a grade.
Log-in frequency
Thanks to the Activity Alert Monitor tool, Canvas gives me a record of the amount of time a student has been logged into the class and the date and time of the last time they attended class. I check student activity at least once a week.
ONLINE ETIQUETTE - NETIQUETTE
Ground Rules - Online writing should be polite and courteous. As there are rules of behavior in person, called Etiquette, there are rules of behavior for online and this is called, Netiquette. Here are a few:
- Be constructive and productive
- Avoid abbreviations
- Do not gripe or whine
- Expect to be misunderstood
- Don't take things personally
- Be kind and supportive
- Remember that mistakes are learning opportunities
- Enjoy the discussion as you learn from each other
Papers 
Your success in writing good essays is important to me and to our tutor (CET). We are here to help you write better papers, so please take advantage of writing and re-writing your essays with our assistance.
Your submitted papers must be your own writing. Please do not get others to write your papers. This could result in an "F" or "0" for the assignment, or several deducted points. Bringing in outside material into your paper and passing it off as your own writing may result in a failed essay, or a zero on your grade. Papers in this class are about issues and experiences related to the student personally, so outside material is not needed.
There are six to eight low-stakes writing assignments (short papers) and four essays (including Final Exam) which are 600-800 words each. All essays should be five paragraphs long containing an Introduction, three body paragraphs, and a Conclusion. This is ESL 8 Advanced Writing Class. Students are expected to submit well-written low-stakes writing assignments, plus the required FOUR longer essays which includes the Final Exam. Not submitting low-stakes writing or FOUR required essays will result in student not passing the class.
Note: You MUST submit Four major essays (fourth is Final Exam) on assigned topics, plus at least six low-stakes writing, to pass the class. Overall, the paper grade average needs to be at least a 70 to pass.
No late papers will be accepted without official documentation. If the paper is late, the grade will drop down by percentage points each day. As stated above, it is important to keep up with assignments so they are not late. There are no makeups for missed work. Contact me as soon as possible if there is a problem.
CONFIDENTIALITY
It is important to keep trust between the student and instructor. Therefore, please be assured that the Instructor applies strict confidentiality to all submitted work. No one else reads your submitted papers except the instructor. The tutor sees the paper only if the student submits the paper to the tutor for help.
FOUR PAPER TOPICS/THEMES FOR THE SEMESTER:
This course asks students to explore and analyze some of the external elements that ultimately influence our sense of self. We will focus on issues related to the themes of adversity, hard work, education, the individual, and Identity.
Students must complete writing these FOUR essays to pass the class.
Students will evaluate the varying impacts that a wide range of topics had or continues to have on their identity. This will come from issues in our reader, Hidden Figures. Four student papers this semester will focus on adversity, privilege, reaction to American culture/history, and Identity.
1. Adversity. Students will read the first part Hidden Figures and use other supplemental materials, to serve as support for discussions, low stakes writing. A Cause/Effect paper will be written to analyze this theme and its effects on a person. Vocabulary from these chapters will be learned and utilized in the essay.
2. Privilege. Students will compare themselves to a character in the story by using that category as a focus of the comparison. Students will read the next part of Hidden Figures, along with other supplemental materials, which will serve as support for discussions, low stakes writing, and preparation for the second Compare/Contrast paper. Vocabulary from these chapters will be learned and utilized in the essay.
3. Reaction paper and focus on what students have learned about American culture and history. Students will read the next part of Hidden Figures, along with other supplemental materials, which will serve as support for discussions, low stakes writing, and preparation for paper three Reaction essay. Vocabulary from these chapters will be learned and utilized in the essay.
4. Identity/Opportunity. Students will argue about available opportunities in the U.S.. Hidden Figures, along with other supplemental materials, will serve as support for discussions, low stakes writing, and preparation for the final paper, which is an Argument Final Exam essay.
Writing Revisions
Students can submit a rewrite on the three Major essays (not Final Exam) for a better grade. If a re-write is not turned in, the grade will stand as first recorded. Re-writes must be turned in on time through Assignments page. Re-writes must reflect improvements in the areas that the instructor pointed out. Do not just fix grammar. There are content, development, and organization issues that that may need revision.
Late Work Policy:
In order to create a fair and equitable learning experience for all students, it is vital you submit work on time. Each Module is set up with assignments and due dates well in advance. You will need to complete the work in each Module every week.
Again, I normally do not accept late work, but if it does occur, please know your grade will drop percentage points each day. Because all assignments are posted in advance of their due dates, it is your responsibility to keep track of due dates and submit work on time. Do not wait until the last minute to submit work. If there is a technical problem uploading the assignment, contact the me or our tutor immediately. Again, it’s best to do work ahead of time to avoid this problem.
Assignments must be submitted through Canvas. I do not accept assignments through email. Student should contact me if there is a problem. That is why it is vital not to submit work the end of the last day of deadline because if there is a technical problem, student may not be able to submit as Canvas closes assignment window at midnight the day it is due. The paper will result in "missing assignment."
All exams and quizzes must be taken on the date assigned. There are no make-ups for missed exams or quizzes. There is no make up for Final Exam (week of June 1).
If there is an emergency, please contact me immediately. Again, exam and quiz dates are posted in advance. It is your responsibility to keep track of these exam dates.
Grading Policy
In order to pass the class, you must submit four (4) essays (600-800 words) which include the Final Exam, plus at least 6 low-stakes writing (300-400 words). Their combined grade average should be at least 70.
Discussion forums, reading/vocabulary assignments, Quizzes and misc. homework must also be turned in. The grade average of all the above assignments translates to your final grade. Your success in the class depends on your active participation in completing each Module for the course.
Missing assignments will deduct points from your overall grade. Even if you have a grade average of C or better on many assignments, if there are too many missing assignments, students will not pass the class. That's up to the teacher's discretion.
Breakdown of total Grade percentages:
4 Essays - 25%
Low-stakes writing - 15%
Discussion space - 15%
Quizzes - 15%
Vocabulary Lists - 10%
GW5 Homework - 10%
Misc. Homework - 10%
Final grades for this course will be A through F unless students change their grade option to Pass/No Pass. The last day to notify Admissions and Records that you want to change your letter grade to P/NP (pass/no pass) is May 09. After that date, I must assign a letter grade. I would recommend contacting an Academic Counselor to discuss.
Grades will be based on these percentages.
Pass
A 90 – 100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
No Pass
D 60-69%
F 0 – 59%
Extra Help (CAS) - Tutor
Our class has been assigned a class-embedded tutor (CET) from the Center for Academic Success (CAS). His name is Azad Azizyan, and he has been a tutor at CAS for two years. We are very fortunate to have Azad as our CET. Azad will be available for tutoring and study sessions and can help guide you to the right resources for assistance in grammar, vocabulary, writing, reading, critical thinking exercises, and help with Canvas tech issues.
TUTOR ZOOM STUDY SESSIONS: Thursdays, 2:30 to 4:00 pm
Successful writers get feedback from other writers, and research has shown that students who attend CET sessions are more likely to pass their writing courses. Our CET will participate in online sessions and will facilitate individual and group tutoring sessions.
Azad has also created numerous tutorial videos to help you navigate Canvas and direct you to proper tutorial links in Canvas that will address your specific areas of improvement in reading and writing. Email Azad if you have questions.
CET: Azad Azizyan email: azizyaa5533@student.laccd.edu
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty –
The faculty and administration of Los Angeles Pierce College are committed to the belief that honesty and integrity are integral components of the academic process. The College expects students to be honest and ethical at all times in their pursuit of academic goals. Students who violate the code of academic conduct by which the College maintains its academic integrity will be dealt with in a manner reflecting the seriousness of these violations.
- Violations of academic honesty and integrity occur when a student participates in any act in which he/she uses deception or fraud while performing an academic activity. Violations include, but are not limited to, the following: using study aids such as calculators, tape recorders, or notes when not authorized by the instructor; cheating on examinations, assignments, or experiments (allowing another student to copy one’s answers or copying the answers of other students; exchanging information by any means, including verbal exchanges, sign language, hand signals, secret codes, passed notes, creation of a distraction for the purpose of cheating; changing answers on a previously scored test, assignment, or experiment; inventing information and/or data); allowing another student to assume one’s identity in order to fulfill an assignment or take a test; submitting for a grade the words, ideas, and/or written work (including laboratory notes and drawings) of another person without giving due credit to that person, including purchased papers or papers written by other students; falsifying or attempting to falsify attendance records and/or grade rosters; and conspiring with other students to commit any of the above behaviors.
- Consequences for any offense against academic honesty and integrity may include: An “F” or a “0” on the examination or assignment. Suspension from the class and other sanctions and/or penalties authorized by the Board of Trustees for violations of the District Code of Conduct. A record of the student’s violation placed in the student’s disciplinary file. Students are required to be honest and complete their own work at all times (homework, class work, quizzes, tests, etc.). Additional information about plagiarism can be found at plagiarism.org or through various websites on the Internet.
CAMPUS RESOURCES
Academic Counseling Services – 818.719.6440 Student Services Bldg,
Academic counselors are available to assist you with many of your educational needs such as help in clarifying your values and goals; develop a student education plan (SEP); interpret articulation agreements with other colleges and universities, and much more.
Associated Students Organization – 818.719.6411
The Pierce College student government organization supports the growth of Pierce College through active involvement with students, faculty, and staff. Our goal is to create a better environment for an overall academic experience through leadership and club participation.
Center for Academic Success – 818.719.6414 Library Learning Crossroads Bldg,
The CAS is committed to helping students in need of academic support acquire the skills and tools necessary to meet their individual academic, vocational, or personal goals. All tutoring services are free to currently enrolled Pierce College students.
Financial Aid: Students desiring help paying for books and other college expenses should call Financial Aid Office (818)719-6428. Check online:
Health Center – 818.710.4270 Student Services Bldg,
The Pierce College Student Health Center is committed to delivering expert medical care to students. Each student is given professional and cost-effective medical attention. All registered students, regardless of insurance, are eligible for the same no charge or low-cost care. Personal Counseling is also available to all currently enrolled students. The Health Center is committed to providing care to support your academic and personal well-being.
Library – 818.710.2833 Library Learning Crossroads Bldg,
The Pierce College Library serves all currently enrolled students, college faculty and staff, and members of the community. The library is a comfortable place to study, to investigate a topic of interest, or to enjoy reading a current book, periodical, or magazine. Please feel free to ask for assistance in using the library. a reference librarian is available to help you with your research questions. See the Library Website, for 24 /7 access and help:
Special Services – 818.719.6430 Student Services Bldg,
Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact the office of Special Services as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. Authorization, based on verification of disability, is required before any accommodation can be made. Visit online:
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!
I look forward to working with you this semester. Please remember to contact me or our tutor, Azad, if you have any questions.
See BELOW WEEKLY SCHEDULE:
Professor Mary Jane Atkins 
Tentative Course Schedule (subject to change)
Each week represents what activities you will be doing that week.
As the semester progresses, the course activities could change.
Instructor will advise students if there are changes to Modules.
Each week's assignments span from Monday to the following Sunday at midnight.
DATE WEEKLY/MODULE ACTIVITIES_____________________________
Week One
2/08 to 2/14 Orientation/overview/textbooks/Canvas/Discussions/Quizzes
ZOOM meeting – meet your Instructor and tutor – 1-2:00 pm
ZOOM meeting - meet you Instructor - 6:00 pm
Assignment - Discussion space – Introductions
QUIZ - on Syllabus
Week Two
2/15 – 2/21 MONDAY - HOLIDAY - PRESIDENT'S DAY - NO OFFICE HOURS
WED. FEB. 17 - OFFICE HOURS 6:00 pm
Getting to know Textbook, Great Writing 5 – Table of Contents
Assignments/Discussion – Chapter 2 (GW5), pages 26-33
Brainstorming, Outlining, Draft Essay discussion
Low stakes writing #1 Assignment (due Feb. 20)
FEB. 21, SUNDAY - LAST DAY TO ENROLL WITH PERMISSION NUMBER
Week Three
2/22 to 2/28 Last day to enroll with permission number
Last day to submit a petition for Pass/No Pass.
Great Writing 5 (GW5) – Unit 1 – Review pages 4-13.
Vocabulary, Grammar and Sentence Structure lessons Read essay on page 17-18; complete activities, pp 20-23
Low-Stakes Writing #2 (due Feb. 27)
Week Four
3/01 to 3/07 Great Writing 5 – Unit 4 – read objectives, page 72
Cause and Effect Essays – read pages 74-84
Hidden Figures – read chapters 1-4
Low-stakes writing #3 (due March 1)
Week Five
3/08 to 3/14 Hidden Figures – Chapters 5-9
Low stakes writing #4 (due March 15)
Week Six
3/15 to 3/21 Great Writing 5 – Unit 4 continued –
Exercises 86-91 – Grammar, Vocabulary
Essay #1 discussion – Cause and Effect
Writing, Sentence Skills, Grammar
Outline and Paper due Essay #1
Persian New Year - 3/21 to 2/22
Week Seven
3/22 to 3/28 Great Writing – Unit 3, original sources
Read pages 48-55, 62 – 68 Discussion
Re-write of Essay #1 discussion
Week Eight
3/29 to 4/04 WED. 3/31 - HOLIDAY - CESAR CHAVEZ - NO OFFICE HOURS
Great Writing – Unit 3 continued
Original sources
Hidden Figures – Chapters 10-13
Week Nine
4/05 to 4/11 SPRING BREAK - NO CLASS - NO OFFICE HOURS
Instructor is offline.
Week Ten
4/12 to 4/18
Great Writing – Unit 5, pages 96-111
Comparison Essay discussion
Grammar, Vocabulary, Sentence
Pages 112 - 116
Low-stakes writing #5 (due April 12)
Week Eleven
4/19 to 4/25 Great Writing – Unit 5
Comparison Discussion contd.
Brainstorm C&C Essay #2
Draft Outline - C&C Essay #2
Week Twelve
4/26 to 5/02 Hidden Figures – Chapters 14-18
Essay #2 – Comparison OUTLINE DUE
Week Thirteen
5/03 to 5/09 American History - ch. 14-18 HF
Essay #2 C&C due (05/03)
Low-stakes writing #6 (due May 10)
MAY 09, SUNDAY, MIDNIGHT – last day to drop online with a “W” on record
last day to submit for Pass/No Pass (P/NP)
Week Fourteen
5/10 to 5/16 Great Writing - Unit 6, pages 120-131
Hidden Figures discussion
Discussion – Reaction paper #3
Vocabulary/grammar 133-36
Week Fifteen
5/17 to 5/23 Great Writing – Unit 7 – argument essay, pages 142-58
Hidden Figures – Chapters 19-23
Low-stakes writing #8
ESSAY #3 DUE - REACTION
Week Sixteen - Last Week
5/24 to 5/30 Great Writing – Unit 7 – Argument discussion
Grammar, Vocabulary, Sentences, pages 158-166
Hidden Figures, cont’d
May 31, Monday, Memorial Day - Holiday - NO OFFICE HOURS
*************************************************************
JUNE 2, WED. - INSTRUCTOR OFFICE HOURS - 6:00 PM
FINAL EXAM ESSAY DUE – ESSAY #4 – Due Monday, June 07, by Midnight
Five para. essay 600-800 words
MONDAY, JUNE 7 - INSTRUCTOR OFFICE HOURS - 1 TO 2 PM
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|