Course Syllabus
E.S.L. 8 Syllabus (Online) 
Advanced ESL Composition (6 units)
Spring, 2022, Section: 27230
Instructor: Ms. Mary Jane Atkins
Fully Online Course
Instructor Zoom Office Hours: Mondays. 1:00 -2:00 pm and Wednesdays. 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Instructor Email: Canvas email: atkinsm@laccd.edu
Campus email: atkinsm@piercecollege.edu
CET (tutor): Ms. Tram Tran: trantt1305@student.laccd.edu
CET (Tram) Zoom Study Sessions for ESL8 class: Thursdays, 1:00 to 2:00 pm
CAS hours: Online tutoring with Tram:
Tuesday, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, Thursday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Friday, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Tram In-Person Tutoring in CAS on campus - Mondays, 2:30 to 5:00 pm
General Expectations
This is an entirely online class (asynchronous) and 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. You work at your own time to read and complete assignments. Throughout the semester, you 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 writing/reading assignments, discussion forums, quizzes, and announcements. Student work is submitted online through 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 Textbook:
Reader: Hidden Figures - Young Readers' Edition, by Margot Lee Shetterly
ISBN:978-0-06-266237-8
Plenty of books are in the our campus bookstore for only $8.95. I highly recommend going to our bookstore to purchase a book. We will start discussing the novel in the third week.
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. Always contact me if you are having problems.
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 on a regular basis. I will communicate with you in different ways during this course, and it is important that you know all of these ways so that you can receive my feedback.
- 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. If you submit a document, 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 9pm. If you don’t hear back from me within 24 hours, assume I did not receive your email and resend it. I generally am not available on weekends to answer emails. However, I will regularly check my emails and answer all requests that come in.
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.
You may also contact Tram, our in-class tutor, if I am not available.
ZOOM OFFICE HOURS – TWICE A WEEK
I will be hosting office hours every week by Zoom. This is a good time to meet me, your Instructor, and get to know other students. These live zoom meetings are optional, not mandatory. However, you will receive Extra Credit for attending. They 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. Even though the office hour meetings are not mandatory, I highly encourage you to attend the zoom office hours. 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.
Recorded Office Hours are available each week through Announcements. If you can't make the meetings in person, please view the recordings by clicking on the link provided in Announcements. You will find great benefit to your success in this class by viewing the office hours on your own time. Printed dialogue of meeting next to the video can be followed easily while viewing.
Extra Credit will be given for Instructor and Tutor zoom meetings attended.
Our CET, in-class Tutor, Tram will hold study sessions on Thursdays from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. She will go over lessons for that week, and conduct grammar lessons where necessary. (Extra credit)
FIRST WEEK OFFICE HOURS:
INSTRUCTOR ZOOM MEETING THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS ONLY, FEB. 07, 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM
INSTRUCTOR ZOOM MEETING, WED, FEBRUARY 09, 6:00 PM
ZOOM MEETING WITH TUTOR, TRAM - THURSDAY, 1-2 PM.
See Announcements to get the links.
Weekly Instructor Online Office Hour Schedule through Canvas:
After the first week, I will have regular zoom office hours:
Every Monday 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Every Wednesday, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm (except holidays). 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. NOTE: No office hours are scheduled on holidays.
Weekly Online Tutoring/Study Sessions Schedule with in-class tutor, Tram:
Every Thursday 1:00 - 2:00 pm (except holidays) Tram will be conducting study sessions on the current lessons for the week, and she will be available to answer questions or help with assignments. She 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 (Feb. 07 to Feb. 14)) and complete the assigned exercises. If you do not log on by Monday, Feb. 14 and post a Discussion, I will assume you are a "no show" and may drop you from the class. I will send you an email, however, before then to check if there is a problem.
If there is any emergency situation that would prevent you from participating (completing assignments) please contact me immediately so we can work something out.
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 contact you. If no response, then you may eventually be dropped from the class. Always let me know if there is a problem, i.e. technical, family, health, travel, etc.
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 08 will result in a “W” on your record which will not affect your GPA. After May 08, 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 logged in. I will check student activity at least once a week. For your success in the class, I encourage you to spend time viewing all the pages in the Modules. Let me know if there is a problem or if you have questions.
Besides assignments, there are many pages in each Module with historical background, printed information and online videos, that relate to American history during the period of Hidden Figures' events. I expect students to spend many hours reading and viewing this important historical material throughout the semester. Not only will you enjoy it, but you will learn a great deal about American history. We have a good time discussing these events at zoom meetings.
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 a "0" for the assignment, or several deducted points. Bringing in outside material into your paper and passing it off as your own writing is not allowed either. This is called accidental plagiarism. Papers in this class are about issues and experiences related to the student personally, so outside material is not needed.
There are four to six low-stakes writing assignments (one or two paragraphs) and four essays (including Final Exam) which are 600-800 words each. These four essays should be five paragraphs long containing an Introduction, three body paragraphs, and a Conclusion. As this is an 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 could result in student not passing the class.
Note: Four major essays (fourth is Final Exam) are required on assigned topics, plus at least four low-stakes writing, to pass the class. Overall, the paper grade average needs to be at least a 70 to pass.
Please try to avoid turning in late papers. If the paper is late, the grade will drop down in points. As stated above, it is important to keep up with assignments so they are not late. Please contact me as soon as possible if there is an emergency or a problem with turning in assignments. We can work something out.
When the deadline has passed for submission, the assignment is "closed." That means you need to contact me by email and I will discuss the matter with you. Do not send a late assignment by email. It will not be accepted.
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 (Hidden Figures novel).
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, and 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. Students will focus on what they 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 organizational issues that that may need revision. Rewriting a paper is a terrific way to improve your writing skills.
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. 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, unless there is an emergency. Students 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 (May 31). Mark your calendars now. You must submit a final exam to pass the class. You have one week prior to May 31 to write your exam.
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 4 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. Extra credit for zoom meetings will be tabulated at the end and applied toward your grade.
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 - 20%
Discussion space - 15%
Quizzes - 15%
Vocabulary Lists - 15
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 Feb. 21. 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). Her name is Tram Tran and she has been a tutor at CAS since Fall, 2021. We are very fortunate to have Tram as our CET. Tram 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.
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.
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, Tram, if you have any questions. We are here to help you succeed in class. Your success is very important to us.
Professor Mary Jane Atkins
See BELOW WEEKLY SCHEDULE:
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
02/07 to 2/13 Orientation/overview/textbook/Canvas/Discussions
ZOOM meeting – meet your Instructor – 1:00 -2:00 pm (optional)
ZOOM meeting - meet your Instructor - 6:00 to 7:00 pm (optional)
ZOOM meeting - Tram, Tutor - Thurs. 1:00 to 2:00 pm (optional)
Assignment - Discussion space – Introductions
Week Two
02/14 to 2/20 Discussion – The Writing Process
Low-stakes writing #1
FEB. 21, MONDAY - LAST DAY TO ENROLL WITH PERMISSION NUMBER
LAST DAY TO PETITION FOR PASS/NO PASS (P/NP)
Week Three
02/21 to 2/27 Feb 21, Monday - Presidents' Holiday - NO CLASS - NO OFFICE HOURS
The Writing Process continued
Vocabulary, Grammar and Sentence Structure lessons
American History - Parts I and II - Low-stakes writing #2
Week Four
02/28 to 03/06 Pre-reading strategies
Vocabulary Journals
Hidden Figures – read Prologue and chapters 1-4
Quiz #1 on Prologue and Chap. 1-4, Hidden Figures
Graded Discussion space - chapters 1-4
Week Five
03/07 to 03/13 Historical Reading/Videos - Hidden Figures Chap. 5-9
Discussion - Pre-reading strategies - chap. 5-9
Hidden Figures – Read Chapters 5-9
Quiz #2 - chapters 5-9
Low stakes writing #3 - Post reading
Week Six
03/14 to 03/20 Cause and Effect essay writing (OER)
Essay #1 discussion – Cause and Effect
Writing, Sentence Skills, Grammar - Fragments and Run Ons
Essay #1 Outline and Paper/Cause & Effect
Feb. 18, Thursday Presidents' Holiday - no zoom meeting with tutor
Week Seven
03/21 to 03/27 Original sources/paraphrasing/quoting - discussion
Re-write of Essay #1 discussion
Week Eight
03/28 to 04/03 Vocabulary List #1
American History - Part III - readings
Annotation as Reading Strategy
Hidden Figures – Chapters 10-13
Quiz #3 - HF - chap 10-13
Low stakes #4 - Annotating text
Week Nine
04/04 to 04/10 APRIL 2 - APRIL 8 - SPRING BREAK - NO CLASSES
Week Ten Vocabulary List #2 (postponed to week thirteen)
04/11 to 04/17 Discussion Space- Identifying w/characters, HF, ch 1-13
Assignment - Quoting and Paraphrasing
Compare/Contrast Discussion - essay #2
Week Eleven
04/18 to 04/24 Compare/Contrast Essay discussion
Assignment: Brainstorm
Assignment: Outline C&C Essay #2
Week Twelve
04/25 to 05/01 Essay #2 due - Identification (Compare/Contrast)
Read Hidden Figures - chapters 14-18 - historical context
Quiz #4 - chapters 14-18
Week Thirteen
05/02 to 05/08 Hidden Figures – Chapters 14-18
Hidden Figures - Historical IV and V
Vocabulary list #2 - chapters 10-18
Low-stakes writing #5 - Reaction to American history
SUNDAY, MAY 08 - LAST DAY TO DROP CLASS WITH A "W"
Week Fourteen
05/09 to 5/15 Rewrites due of Essay #2
Discussion -
Week Fifteen
05/16 to 05/22 Essay #3 due - Reaction essay (cancelled)
Hidden Figures - Read Chapters 19-23
Historical Parts VI and VII - Hidden Figures
Quiz #5 - HF - chapters 19-23
Week Sixteen
05/23 to 05/29 LAST WEEK - Argument essay discussion - topic for final exam
Vocabulary List #3 - Hidden Figures, chap. 19-23
May 30, Monday - MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY - NO CLASS - NO OFFICE HOURS
Week Sixteen - FINAL EXAM
Tuesday, May 31 Turn in Argument Essay - Essay #3 [five paragraph essay/600-800 words)
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FINAL EXAM ESSAY DUE – ESSAY #3 – Due Tuesday, May 31, Midnight
END OF SEMESTER - Enjoy your Summer
