English 085 College ReadingFall 2007Instructor: Mrs. Jennifer EckClass Meetings: Wednesdays, 6:00-9:52 pmLocation: 118 Bert WalkerOffice Hours: In the classroom, 30 minutes before class, Tuesday and Thursday 5:30-6in BW 117 If you need me to call you, send an email and I will call you back. I check my email daily in the afternoon and late at night.Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Textbooks and Supplies:1. An Introduction to Critical Reading, 6th edition, by McCraney2. Cornerstone: Building on Your Best for Career Success, Sherfield, Montgomery, Moody.3. Loose leaf paper for written assignments, in class and for homework4. A 3 ring binder, 1 inch rings5. One spiral notebook: single–subject, college rule, size 8 inches x 10½ inches6. 60 3x5 index cardsOptional Supplies:1. Paperback dictionary2. File box for organizing note cardsCourse Objectives: In this course you will:1. Improve your reading comprehension.2. 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. Identify and apply a range of study skills and strategies.Associate Degree Outcomes: Associate Degree Outcomes: The JCC Board of Trusteeshas 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 employed 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.Assignments and Time Management:You must do assigned reading and written work before class begins. This 4-credit-hour class requires 8 hours of study time per week. If you have any questions about an assignment, please call me, e-mail me, or talk to me before or after class. Please don’t wait until it is time to hand in the assignment to tell me you did not understand it or for some other reason could not complete it.Late Work: Late work will not be accepted unless you and I have discussed the situationbeforehand. No exceptions! If you must miss a class you are expected to be caught up with all assignments when you return to class.Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. If you miss a class due to an emergency, it is yourresponsibility to contact a classmate or the instructor before the next class meeting to findout what you need to do to prepare for the next class. You probably have a busy life and many things that compete for your time. Nevertheless, class attendance and school work should be high priorities if you are to benefit from courses and receive credit.5 absences: no credit4 absences: highest possible grade is 2.03 absences: highest possible grade is 3.02 absences: highest possible grade is 3.5Withdrawal: If you stop attending this course, it is your responsibility to complete the paper work for a “Withdrawal.” If you wish to request an “Incomplete,” the request must be written.Academic Honesty Policy: The JCC Catalog states, “Academic honesty . . . is the ethical behavior that includes producing one’s own work and not representing others’ work as one’s own, either by plagiarism, or by cheating, or by helping others to do so. . . .Faculty members who suspect a student of academic dishonesty may penalize the student by assigning a failing grade for the [assignment] or the course itself. Instructors should document instances of academic dishonesty in writing to the Academic Dean.”Assessing Your Reading Skill Progress: At the beginning and end of the semester, you will take the Nelson-Denny Reading Test. This will help in assessing your progress and determining whether you need to take a second semester of College Reading. One of yourpersonal goals should be to read a lot and work hard on improving your reading skill. Your comprehension scores will generally improve to the extent that you read widely, attend class regularly, and put time and effort into doing assignments. Tutorial assistance is available for this course as well as most every course at JCC. If you would like to work with a tutor for this class or for another class, please contact me or visit the Center for Student Success (796-8415), located in BW 123. The staff are thereto help you succeed in your studies, so please do not hesitate to make use of this free resource. Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the office of Learning Support Services at 787-0800, extension 8270/8553 as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.Classroom Behavior PolicyStudents are expected to show respect within the classroom by being attentive and listening while others are speaking. Plan to arrive on time, participate in discussions, andwork with others during class time. Be prepared to begin class at 6:00pm. All electronic devices must be shut off and put away in pocket, purse, book bag, etc. Please feel free to have a reasonably sized drink in class, but refrain from eating during class time.Assignments and Grading:Summaries of news articlesEachWednesday, beginning August 29 through December 5, you will turn in a summary of a news article. Articles must be taken from a current newspaper, such as the Jackson Citizen Patriot, Wall Street Journal, or Detroit News. If you use the internet you must print out a copy of the article. Attach the articles to lined paper using tape or staples. Under the article answer these questions: Who/What is the article about? What happened? When did it happen? Where did it happen? Why is it important? This is your summary of the article. Answer each question in one or two sentences. That is 15 summaries at 10 points each; 150 points total.Cornerstone AssignmentsThe text contains many useful assessments, questionnaires, and reflection activities that will greatly enhance your knowledge of yourself as a