READING 1300 SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: DR. SANDY JORDAN

OFFICE LOCATION: S-1099

E-MAIL jordan66@swbell.net

OFFICE HOURS:  Saturdays 11:30AM--12:30PM and by appointment

PHONE:  713-221-8013 (leave message)

Site:  http://geocities.datacellar.net/serviceclass/reading.html

 

TEXTBOOKS:  Opening Doors, Joe Cortina and Janet Elder;  Breaking Boundaries, Carol Comfort;  1300 lab manual, purchased in Copy Center at back of bookstore, dictionary of your choice (can be used paperback, but must be comprehensive enough to include our vocabulary)

 

MATERIALS:  One binder with clear front and back cover inserts (as shown in class), pens, highlighters, looseleaf notebook paper

 

Course Description: "The Reading 1300 class is a review in successful techniques to improve vocabulary, comprehension, interpretation and evaluation, and basic study skills. This course may not be used to satisfy degree requirements."

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 

1.  to strengthen writing skills through study and application

2.  to learn to find the main idea by learning the difference between topic and thesis

3.  to identify the author's purpose, audience, and point of view

4.  to learn and practice annotation, note taking, and other ways to enhance study skills and develop successful strategies for taking tests

5.  to learn to recognize organizational patterns in reading selections

6.  to learn to recognize inference

7.  to learn the difference between fact and opinion as applied to written literature

8.  to enlarge vocabulary skills by study and practice

 

ATTENDANCE:

Regular, punctual attendance in this course is mandatory.  No more than two absences are allowed.

The department has implemented the following policy for Reading 1300.

1.  Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class (this is the "blue roll" sheet) beginning the second Saturday of class.  If you miss more than two classes, the Director of Composition in the English Department office will be notified, and you will be automatically assigned an F in the course.  Also, a "HOLD" will be placed on your academic record.  You must subsequently see an academic advisor to return to class and have the "HOLD" removed.

2.  You may petition to be reinstated by submitting a Request for Reinstatement form together with documentation explaining each of your absences.  This form can be obtained in the English Department Office, S-1045.  This request must be delivered to the Chair of the English Department.  You must also notify your instructor and provide a copy of the petition.   You should continue to come to class and participate in all activities until a decision is made.  If your request is denied, you may continue attending class, but the final course grade of F cannot be changed.

 

LATE AND MISSING WORK:  All work in this class must be turned in for students to receive a passing grade in the course.   Late work  may be submitted the following Saturday (one week after it is due) for a lowered grade (at least one letter).  After that it will not be accepted and a 0 will be assigned.

 

Grading:

Paper 1     10%

Paper 2      10%

Book Report  10%

Midterm     10%

Final Exam    20%

12 hours lab  10%

Class participation  10%

Homework and in-class assignments 20%

 

For students who are working hard in the course but not achieving a passing grade, and for students who pass the course but do not pass the departmental exam, a grade of IP (In Progress) will be assigned.  This is a respectable grade and demonstrates that the student was doing the work in the course.  In order to pass, you must receive a C in the course and also pass the departmental exam.

 

Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is taking credit for someone else's written work or ideas.  A complete explanation of plagiarism can be found at my site at http://geocities.datacellar.net/serviceclass.  If you plagiarize you will fail this course.

 

Disability Policy:  UHD adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.  In order to receive documentation, students must register with the Disabled Student Services (S-409); also, the instructor must be notified in advance of or during the first class the student attends so that accommodations can be provided.

 

RULES OF THE CLASSROOM:  turn off all cell phones pagers, and electronic devices while in class. This includes PDA's, laptops, and headphones.  If you are expecting an emergency call, set the phone to vibrate, and when you receive the signal, leave the classroom to deal with the call.  If not, you will be asked to leave the class.  After the call, return quietly.  Information given while you were out of the classroom will not be repeated.  During tests if your cell phone or pager goes off, you will be asked to leave, and the test will be taken up at the point at which you received the call.  

 

NO EATING IN CLASS.  Drinking is allowed.

 

Your work is your business.  If you don't do it, you pay your money for nothing.  You don't get an education, and you lose.  Your grade will reflect this.  Make your educational decisions wisely.  Ask yourself which is more important--taking care of immediate personal business, or working towards your future by getting an education.  As an adult, only YOU can make these choices.  Just remember that every choice has its consequences, and YOUR ACTIONS DETERMINE THOSE CONSEQUENCES.