Henry Ford Community College

English 081-05 Developmental College Reading Syllabus

T & TH 8:10 – 9:30 (Room L-218)

Instructor:  Pam Kaminski                                                    Term:  Winter 2005   

Instructor’s Email:  pckaminski@hfcc.edu                          Instructor’s Office Phone:  313.845.9683

Instructor’s Office Location & Hours:                               English Division Phone: 313.845.9624

Room L-239 

M,W & F                      12:30 – 2:30 pm

T & TH                         1:00 – 3:00 pm

I am also available at other times by appointment

Required Texts:        Flemming, Reading for Results, eighth edition

                                    Lowry, The Giver, hardcover edition

Required Supplies:  Loose-leaf paper

                                    Three-ring binder

                                    Divider tabs

#2 pencils                               

                                    Blue or black ink pens

                                    Hi-lighter(s)

                                    Calendar, planner, or assignment pad

                                    Small, paperback dictionary

                                    Package of green SCANTRON answer sheets

Course Description 

This is a developmental course designed to prepare students to read at an acceptable level in English 131 and 132.   This course is required of students who must enroll in English 093 and whose score on the ASSET or COMPASS Reading Test is below the cut-off established by the English Division.  Students required to take this course must pass with a grade of S before taking English 131.

Course Grading Scale:  S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).  See Assessment of Academic Achievement for a complete explanation of how grades are earned.

Class Attendance and Late Assignment Policy

Since this course will rely heavily on student participation and class work, consistent class attendance is expected.  More than three (3) absences will have a negative impact on your grade (loss of 50 points!)  If you are absent, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor or a classmate to learn what you missed.

This class will begin on time.  Anyone who enters late is disrupting the educational process of other students.  If you have work or home responsibilities that interfere with your attendance or cause tardiness, please talk to me privately before or after class.  Working together we may come up with a solution that allows you to complete this class successfully.

All homework assignments are due at the beginning of class.  Late assignments (unless you have talked with the instructor in advance) or those turned in at the end of class will not be accepted.

Students are permitted one make-up quiz or test. 

Major Core Course Objectives (Measurable)

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

• Read at or above the 10.5 grade level by semester’s end.
• Identify the main idea of a paragraph.
• Form a judgment based on the reading of a paragraph.
• Draw conclusions based on a paragraph.
• Recognize what may be implied in a paragraph and draw inferences.
• Identify the pattern or organization of a paragraph.
• Use a study skill method regarding how to read a textbook chapter.
• Use an accepted method for studying vocabulary.

General Course Requirements

• Completion of readings from text and practice exercises.
• Completion of exercises from class lectures.
• Completion of at least five hours in Lab other than class time to work on assignments.
• Active participation in Lab period.

Student Responsibilities

• Students are responsible for all announcements and material presented in class.
• Students are responsible for the completion of all in-class and homework assignments.
• Students should arrive for class on time and with all necessary supplies.
• Students should be active participants in classroom activities and discussions.
• Cellular phones and pagers must be turned off during class time.

Academic Honesty

Honest behavior is expected at all times.  We must respect one another’s viewpoints as well as personal belongings.  Cheating in any form will not be tolerated.  Please refer to the attached Policy on Academic Dishonesty.

Group Work Expectations

(From K. Gallagher’s Deeper Reading p. 113 – 4)

1.      No hitchhiking.  In other words, there are no free rides.  Everyone participates.

2.      Respect other’s viewpoints.  Criticize ideas, not individuals.

3.      Listen to everyone’s ideas, even if you do not agree. 

4.      Come to class prepared for your group meetings.

5.      Above all, remember that we are a community of learners.

Course Schedule

Every Thursday I will provide an assignment sheet listing readings, homework and any additional information for the following week’s classes.  If you must miss class on Thursday, it is your responsibility to contact a fellow student or the instructor to learn what will be expected of you on Tuesday.

Mark These Important Dates on Your Calendar

Tuesday, January 11^th                                    First class meeting

Friday, January 14^th                                        Last day for 100% refund and no-record drop

Monday, January 17^th                                      No class – MLK Jr. Holiday

Week beginning March 7^th                              No class – Spring Break

Wednesday, March 30^th                                 Last day to drop classes in Registration Office

Thursday, April 28th                                        Last class meeting

Week beginning Tuesday, May 3^rd                 Final Exams
ASSESSMENT OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

The grading system for this course is an S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).  To earn an ‘S’ grade, all students must:

• Score an average of 70% or better on five CSS tests (form B or C).
• Read at (or above) the 10.5 grade level on the post-Nelson Denny Reading Test.
• Pass both the midterm and final exams with scores of 35 points each or better.
• Earn a minimum of 350 points as explained below.