Jackson Community College Course SyllabusJCC@Lenawee Vo-TechWinter 2008College Reading: ENG 085.73Class Meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30-2:26 p.m.Location: LEN 220Instructor: Linda S. Jacobs, M.A.E-mail: [email protected] Description: This course is intended for students who have developed their reading skills nearly to the college level. Further skill and knowledge development focuses on the common patterns of text found in both narrative and expository writing, onstrategies for self-monitoring and memory enhancement, and on the development of vocabulary typically found in college level textbooks. Student’s writing is a significant component.Required Texts:Cornerstone: Building on Your Best for Career SuccessAn Introduction to Critical Reading, 6th EditionBring texts to class. We will use them!Materials:- One folder to keep syllabus, handouts, loose paper, assignments (to turn in and handed back)- One spiral bound notebook, college ruled, 8 ½ inches by 11 inches, for class notes- One folder for organization of Thematic Reading Project- A good, collegiate paperback dictionary—bring to class!Associate Degree Outcomes:The JCC Board of Trustees has developed a list of essential skills that all graduates should develop. The Board has said:JCC’s goal is to prepare students to live productive and meaningful lives. Implicit in this goal are efforts to prepare students to: (a) live and work in the 21st century, (b) be 1employed in situations which will require retraining several times during a productive life,and (c) function in a rapidly changing international society.In support of these guidelines, ENG 085 students will develop critical thinking skills, including the ability to1. Generate questions about text before and while reading.2. Identify impact of emotion on thought.3. Distinguish between fact, opinion and inference.4. Recognize bias in a piece of writing.5. Incorporate new knowledge with old.Course Objectives: In this course you will1. Improve your reading comprehension and expand vocabulary2. Write clear summaries of what you read.3. Make connections between what you read and your own experiences.4. Combine information from several reading sources.5. Read for pleasure and for information.6. Assess and develop a range of study skills and strategies.Course Components Related to Assessment and Achievement of Objectives:1. Nelson-Denny Reading Test, given at beginning and end of semester2. Critical Reading activities, assignments, tests, and quizzes that require analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and application (higher order thinking skills).3. Vocabulary lists, defining difficult words found in college level reading4. College skills enhancement assignments, activities, discussions, quizzes, class notes5. Personal and informational reading activities and discussions6. Thematic reading project that requires summarizing, analyzing, evaluating, applying, and synthesizing information from several sources about a single topicRequirements and AssessmentCritical Reading Assignments, Activities, Tests, and Quizzes (40% of grade):You are expected to complete reading and related assignments on time. Be prepared to demonstrate understanding of reading through regular assignments, tests, quizzes, in-class activities, and discussions. Credit for in-class activities, tests, quizzes, and discussions cannot be “made up.”2Cornerstone Assignments (10% of grade):The text contains many useful assessments, questionnaires, and reflection activities that will greatly enhance your knowledge of yourself as a learner, as well as strategies for ensuring success in school and career. Some exercises will be completed in class, and some will be required as homework. Complete Cornerstone in-class work and homework on loose-leaf notebook paper. Paper with “curly” edges is not acceptable for work that is turned in. No credit will be awarded for late assignments. Vocabulary Expansion and Vocabulary Log (20% of grade):Students will build and demonstrate contextual understanding of unfamiliar words through the vocabulary found in the assigned readings, and will demonstrate understanding of reading vocabulary through Critical Reading quizzes and in-class discussions. You will also collect a total of 45 interesting and challenging words (5 lists of nine words) found in reading, research, conversations, music, or other media. Do not just copy words from a dictionary or glossary. Do not use words that are already defined for you within our classroom texts. For each word, indicate the part of speech it represents, where you found the word, and the dictionary definition that fits the context in which it was used. Also, write a sentence that includes correct use of the word. This assignment may be handwritten on loose leaf notebook paper. Thematic Reading Project (30% of grade):The Thematic Reading Project provides independent practice of college reading strategiesto learn more about a specific topic* through:Finding and using appropriate sources of informationSummarizing informationEvaluating informationIdentifying and defining difficult wordsCiting sources of informationSynthesizing information from several sourcesThe Thematic Reading Project requires students to consider the various levels of meaningextracted from written texts: 1. Literal Level: Summarize, in your own words, what the words on the pages are saying. Do not simply “retell,” and do not add your own insights and opinions. Instead, highlight main ideas and supporting points. Focus solely on what is written without adding own thoughts and interpretations. 32. Interpretive Level: Read between the lines. Decide the author’s intentions for writing, and the message he or she is trying to convey. Refer directly to the text to support your interpretations. Focus on the author’s ideas and purpose for writing. 3. Applied Level: Evaluate usefulness and significance. Relate what you read topersonal experience and other things you have read. Discuss what the reading means to you. Provide own opinions and judgments. The focus is on your reactions, ideas, and experiences. Through completion of the three Thematic Reading Project summary and evaluation assignments, students will be prepared to synthesize readings about chosen topics and present their findings to the whole class at the end of the semester. *Thematic