Resource Tagging Template

1. Your name – Linda Farris

2. Your campus – Arkansas State University - Beebe

3. Resource title and short description – Syllabus for Precollege Literacy

4. Type of resource (i.e. course, curriculum, syllabus, website, presentation, brochure, newsletter, etc.)

5. Program Area (Dev Ed, ABE, ESL, GED, Certificate Program, etc)

6. Audience (Student, Instructor, Administrator, Counselor, etc)

7. Industry Sector

8. Curriculum Area (Literacy, Math, Health, Engineering, Science, Business, etc)

9. Name and email of the resource developer – Linda Farris	- lbfarris@asub.edu

10. Narrative information you would like to share (resource background, purpose, notes, suggested uses and/or other information from the development team)

This syllabus was for the new combined skill – reading and writing – course called Precollege Literacy. It is for students with less than 15 ACT score in either reading or English.

Pre-College Literacy

English 0013

Course Syllabus

Spring 2013

Linda B. Farris – Reading/Education Instructor

Contact Information:

Owen Center Room 212

Office Hours (See attached schedule)

Office Phone: 501-882-8839

E-mail Address: lbfarris@asub.edu

Division Contact Information: Division Chair, Dr. Humphrey djhumphrey@asub.edu (501-882-4406); VC of Academic Affairs, Dr. Kalthoff tjkalthoff@asub.edu (882-8830)

Course Description:

A course designed to improve reading comprehension skills, and writing skills. Students with reading and/or English scores below an ACT 15 or equivalent must take this course. Four hours of class per week. (Credit earned not applicable toward a degree.)

Course Prerequisites:

Students with ACT reading and/or English scores below 15 (or equivalent) must take this course. Students with ACT reading or English scores below 15 (or equivalent) are required to pass this course as a prerequisite to Freshman English I. Passing this course includes scoring 72 or higher in Reading and 50 or higher in English on the Compass Test which will be given at midterm for those who met the requirements and twice at the end of the semester as needed.

Required/Supplementary Materials:

Kemper, Myer, Rys, Sebranke: Fusion: Integrated Reading and Writing, Book 1, 1st Edition, Wadsworth Cengage Learning (Note: The cd for the Lab that accompanies this class work is packaged with the book.)

You will also need ear buds, headphones, etc. for lab, since there are imbedded videos in the APLIA program.

Evaluation and Grading.

Grading Scale: Precollege competency in reading and writing in addition to the COMPASS as an exit test.

Attendance and class participation.

Computer skills lab work

Individual assignments (i.e. Exams, essays, projects, homework, other learning activities, etc.)

Important Dates:

Last day to drop and add a course – January 18

Mid-semester grade report period – March 5-11

Last day to drop a class or withdraw from all classes – April 17

Spring Break – March 18-23

Final Exams – May 2-7

Attendance Policy/Make-up/Late Work Policy:

There is NO makeup work for homework assignments, nor is late work accepted. You are allowed two dropped scores from the homework category. If you have been absent, homework due at that time will be used as a dropped score. Sometimes we do an assignment in class for a grade. If you are absent, this will also have to be one of your dropped grades.

The grading scale will be as follows:

A = 92-100%

B = 82-91%

C = 75-81%
F = Below 75%

Students will be involved in active learning experiences that demand preparation and practice. Students are expected to come to class prepared and to give a full effort. If you miss classes you are in effect missing the course. Cooperative learning activities, class discussion, and lecturing will be the primary teaching methods used. Though you are present physically, failure to participate in class can result in you being counted absent. Texting or otherwise giving attention to your phone, sleeping or seeming to sleep, working on assignments from any class, etc. constitutes lack of participation.

Students are expected to attend class each time it meets. Absences are neither excused nor unexcused. You are counted as absent at roll check. Make arrangements to get to class on time. If you have a situation that causes you to be late, it is YOUR responsibility to see the teacher AFTER class to change the absence to a tardy. Leaving a few minutes early also constitutes a tardy, and three tardies equals an absence. You have 100 points for attendance at the beginning of the semester. That is reduced by 10 points each time you are absent beginning with your third absence. If you miss absences that equal two weeks of class time, you will be dropped from the course and receive and ‘F’.

Learning Objectives/Course Outline

Institutional Learning Outcomes:

ASU-Beebe is committed to providing students with a broad-based educational experience and focuses, through general education coursework, on five essential learning outcomes: Communication, Critical Thinking, Mathematical Concepts and Application, Scientific Inquiry and Methodology, Society and Self. The learning objectives of all courses are linked to these institutional learning outcomes to ensure that outcomes of individual courses are consistent with the university’s institutional goals. These institutional essential learning outcomes can be viewed at www.asub.edu

Learning Objectives:

Reading – Upon successful completion of this course students should be adept at:

Understanding vocabulary in context

Recognizing main ideas

Identifying supporting details

Recognizing implied main ideas and the central point

Understanding relationships that involve addition and time

Understanding relationships that involve illustration, comparison and/or contrast, and cause and effect

Making inferences

Identifying an author’s purpose and tone

Evaluating arguments

Distinguishing between fact and opinion, detecting propaganda, and recognizing errors in reasoning

Writing: Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

Write paragraphs using correct grammar and correctly constructed sentences

Write paragraphs that are unified by a single thesis, whether stated or implied

Write paragraph for particular audience or purpose

Compose a paragraph or short passage through pre-planning with the main idea and supporting details

Include a variety of sentences (simple, compound, complex…) in writing

Use transition words or phrases to connect ideas successfully.

Develop a short essay grammatically and structurally correct.

Edit closely: Identify and correct major editing concerns like fragments, run-ons, comma misuses, subject-verb disagreement.

Implement the writing process from preplanning to editing.

Students will score 72 or higher in Reading and 50 or higher in English on the Compass Test which will be given at least twice near the end of the semester. The final test will be the COMPASS Test on the computer. Guidelines are as follows:

Successful Course Completion: The COMPASS has been adopted by ASUB as evidence of successful completion at the end of each developmental reading class. Grades on assignments and exams are for the purpose of evaluating understanding of the material covered and as an indication of student progress prior to taking the COMPASS. Grades for the course will be pass/fail with passing students receiving a grade of “Credit” (CR) or "No Credit" (NC) on the grade report as a result of either passing or failing the COMPASS. A passing grade on the coursework is 75%.

NOTE: ASUB will cover the cost of the COMPASS at the end of the semester, The COMPASS will be taken two weeks before the end of the semester and again at the very end for those who did not pass it.

NOTE:

Act 971 of the 2009 Arkansas State Legislature requires students to pass an exit exam in order to pass remedial courses (Developmental English, Developmental Reading, and Intermediate Algebra). Starting in the fall of 2010, students enrolled in these developmental courses at ASU-Beebe will be required to pass an exit exam (ACT, SAT, COMPASS, ASSET) with a score equivalent to a 19 or higher on the ACT.

Intermediate Algebra students failing to pass the exit exam will receive an “F” for the course.

Developmental Reading and English students failing to pass the exit exam will receive NO CREDIT (NC) for the course.

Recreational Reading and Writing

To improve your reading speed, concentration, vocabulary development, comprehension, and reading enjoyment set a goal to read a minimum of 10 pages a day. Bring the book of your choice with you to class so that you may use any “downtime” wisely. Do not use class time to work on other courses. READ READ READ. “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”

To improve your writing you can begin a journal. Journal writing of thoughts you had for the day, how you responded to a book, movie or other event, your fears, joys, musings about what is going on in your life, etc. can be helpful in written expression. Writing a new ending to a movie or book, stories about your dreams and aspirations, or other things you think about can be added in a journal. To be able to express yourself clearly through written words is your goal. And as with the reading, it takes practice.

Academic Honesty Policy: Cheating in any form-including plagiarism, turning in assignments prepared by others, unauthorized possession of exams-may result in the student receiving a zero on the assignment, being dropped from the class with an “F” and/or being suspended from the University. Academic dishonesty will be reported to the Division Chair and the Academic Affairs Office and will be tracked.

Accommodation Statement: It is the policy of ASU-Beebe to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal law and state law. Any student with a disability, who would like to request accommodations, should contact Tisha Marzewski, Counselor/Coordinator of Disability Services at (501) 882-8863 at the ASU-Beebe campus. Documentation review and accommodations for all ASU-Beebe system students with disabilities are authorized by the Counselor/Coordinator of Disability Services.

ASU-Beebe Academic Services:

ASU-Beebe Learning Center

Student Center, Room 200

501.882.8867

learningcenter@asub.edu

Fall/Spring Hours: Mon - Thurs 8:00-8:00, Friday 8:00-5:00

Summer/Breaks: Mon - Fri 8:00-5:00

The Learning Center is located on the second floor of the Student Center and provides academic

support to all ASU-Beebe students. Tutoring and other services are free and no appointments are

necessary. Students in every department – from developmental through advanced courses – are

encouraged to utilize these services. Drop in for tutoring or to utilize the open computer lab.

Check the Web site for tutor schedules and other useful information. Students who are unable

come to campus may access tutoring online through WebCT.

Disclaimer—Example: This syllabus represents a “best” plan for the course, but, as with most plans, it is subject to changes made necessary by time, space, and personal constraints. The course outline, as well as exam and assignment dates, may change as the course progresses. Students should attend all class meetings to learn of any schedule changes.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR STUDENTS: Please read and become familiar with the following information. It may enhance your safety in the case of an emergency.

ASU-Beebe has an emergency alert system, Alert Xpress, that is designed to send voice messages and e-mail messages that notify users of the following emergency situations:

Tornado Warnings

Building Evacuation

Campus Evacuation

Lockdown (Lockdown covers the type of situation where there is a threat of violence, such as an active shooter).

While student participation is voluntary, ASU-Beebe strongly recommends your participation in order to increase your personal safety.

You may register to receive Alert Xpress messages by clicking on the Alert Xpress link near the bottom of the ASU-Beebe homepage. Alert messages will be sent from the number (501) 682-7424. Please store this number under an appropriate listing in your phone, such as “Emergency” or “Alert”, so that you can quickly recognize the urgent nature of the call. Registration will be active from June through May of each year. It will be necessary to register again each year if you wish to continue receiving Alert Xpress emergency notifications.

During a tornado warning,

Calmly go to the nearest tornado shelter area.

You will be notified by Alert Xpress or Campus Police when an “all clear” has been declared.

During a building evacuation,

Calmly go to outside open areas away from buildings and vehicles.

You will be notified by Alert Xpress or Campus Police when you may return to the building.

During a campus evacuation,

Calmly leave the campus.

You will be notified by Alert Xpress or Campus Police when you may return to campus.

During a lockdown situation,

If in a classroom or other securable area:

Stay in the room.

Immediately lock the door.

Stay away from doors and windows.

If in the hallway or other public area:

Try to get to a secure area or an area that can be locked.

If near the shooter:

Leave the area as quickly as possible.

Avoid running in a straight line. (A zig-zag pattern is usually preferable).

TORNADO SHELTER AREAS

IF YOU ARE IN:	GO TO:

ASU-Beebe Administrative Buildings:

Abington Library	Room 114

Admissions -------------------------------------- Women’s Restroom & Room 103

Adult Education	Rooms 102, 106 & 107

Career Pathways ------------------------------- Evacuate building to State Hall.

Grounds Shop	HVAC Office

Human Resources	Evacuate building to the Walter D. England Center.

Purchasing / Physical Plant	Evacuate building and seek shelter in a secure building.

Ruth L. Couch Center	Rooms 102, 106 & 107

State Hall	1st Floor hallway by vending machines, 1st floor hallway by Payroll & Room 113B (Payroll)

Student Center	Room 102 (Stephens Room); internal hall behind Room 102; first floor bathrooms; hall in front of Café; kitchen as an overflow location.

ASU-Beebe Academic Buildings:

Advanced Technology & Allied Health	Hallways away from doors and windows

Agriculture Technology - John Deere	Evacuate to Business & Agriculture.

Business & Agriculture	Hallways away from doors and windows

Farm Classroom Building	Evacuate building and seek shelter in a secure building.

Howell Music Center	Classroom 108

Owen Center	Rooms 143, 144 & 145 and Racquetball Courts

Science Building	1st Floor hallway away from doors and windows

University Center	East & west hallways

Veterinary Technology	Evacuate building and seek shelter in a secure building.

Walter D. England Center	Classrooms 101, 111-115, & all restrooms.

ASU-Beebe Residence Halls:

Horizon Hall	First Floor Hallways

Legacy Hall	First Floor Hallways

ASU-Heber Springs:

Academic Building	Rooms 150, 152 & 154

Administrative Building	Room 124 (Entergy Room)

Latimer Center	Faculty Break Room (North End); Restrooms (South End)

ASU-Searcy:

Air Conditioning Building--------------------- Classroom 303

Auto Body Building----------------------------- Classroom 403

Automotive Technology Building----------- Evacuate building to Main Building Classroom 208 or 206

Beulah Bloodworth Building	Interior hallways

Diesel Building ---------------------------------- Classrooms & offices

Industrial Maintenance Building ------------ Interior hallways

Main Building	Media Center, Computer Lab, Interior Hallways, & the

storage room in Admissions

Metal Gas Drilling Building ------------------- Evacuate building to the Auto Body Shop.

Metal Learning Center Building ------------- Evacuate building to the Auto Body Shop.

New Maintenance Building ------------------ Office

Old Maintenance Building -------------------- Evacuate building to Beulah Bloodworth Building interior hallways.

Technology East--------------------------------- Central hallway

Technology West-------------------------------- Room 109 & restrooms

Welding Shop Building	Evacuate building to Technology West.