Tuesday, April 21, 2015

ENC1102 Course Preview Page: Fall 2015

Course Name: Composition IITerm/Session: Fall 2015
Course Number: ENC 1102Reference Number:  525546

 

Faculty Contact Information

Instructor Name:Dr. Kristin Berkey-Abbott
Office/Dept. Phone:954-201-7900
BConline Campus Phone:954-201-7900
Fax:954-201-7937
Email:Please use BConline (D2L) email. Use my BC email ONLY if you are unable to access the course email: kberkeya@broward.edu
Office Hours:Office: Campus / Bld. / Room:
Days/Time:As online faculty, I have no onground office. But I will be online multiple times a day, most days.
Online Office Hours:Day(s):I am likely to be online most mornings and periodically throughout the day.
Time: For a specific meeting time, let's make an appointment.
Meeting Location: Chat, Discussion, Pager
Meeting Location: Chat, Discussion, Pager, or outside program such as Skype.
BC Safety Phone #:954-201-HELP (4357)

Course Description

Composition II is designed to further develop a student’s composition skills by building on the rhetorical modes/strategies learned in ENC 1101. The course requires students to observe the conventions of Standard American English and create documented essays, demonstrating the student’s ability to think critically and write analytically. Selected readings supplement the course and provide topics for discussion and written assignments. Students use library research methods for primary and secondary sources to produce MLA style-documented and well argued essays and research paper. Students must earn a minimum grade of C to meet the requirements of the Gordon Rule. Students must pass either ENC 1102 or ENC 2210 to fulfill Area l general education requirements for the A.A. degree. Click BC Course Outlines for more details.

General Course Outcomes

1. The student shall create clearly organized, thoroughly developed essays which sustain a focus on a central idea while producing a well-supported interpretation of the unit’s assigned reading(s).

2. The student shall create analytical essays through the synthesis of selected readings and their potential interpretations.

3. The student shall write and sustain an argument in a critical, argument-based research paper which follows current MLA guidelines. Using the skills learned in Units 1 and 2, students will employ a balance of direct quotation and paraphrases from a variety of primary and secondary sources, culminating in an argument-based research paper.
Click BC Course Outlines for more details.
 

Course Prerequisites

To maximize your chances for success in this course, make sure that you meet the following course prerequisites:
  • Course Prerequisites and Co-requisites: ENC 1101 with a minimum grade of C
 

Course Attendance and Participation Policy

During the first week of class, you must complete the syllabus quiz or you will be withdrawn from the course. Simply logging into the course will not satisfy your attendance during this time. As with an on-campus course, students who are reported for non-attendance in an online course and are withdrawn are still responsible for paying for the course. If you do not complete the requirements of the first week of class, you should drop the course by the official drop/add deadline or expect to pay for the course.
It is very important for you to actively participate in this online class. If you stop participating in class discussions, do not submit assignments, or fail to take quizzes or tests prior to the withdrawal date, you will be administratively withdrawn from class and receive a W or, if it is your third attempt, an F.

If you stop participating after the withdrawal date, you will receive an F. To avoid this situation, you should remain an active learner in this class and always communicate extenuating circumstances to your instructor. Ongoing communication with the instructor is critical to your course success. Completion of tests, assignments, and other class activities are used as indicators of your participation in order to satisfy this reporting requirement.
See the list of activities required for participation and attendance on the General Course Policies page
 

General Policies and Technical Requirements

You are responsible for being familiar with all BConline policies and procedures related to your activity in this course.
Broward College Policies
  • Review the Broward College Policies on topics including disability services, academic honesty, privacy, and critical event procedures.
BConline Policies
  • Review the General Course Policies page for topics including rules for netiquette, definition of participation, and other information.
Technical Requirements
  • Students taking an online course are expected to be moderately proficient in using a computer. Please go to the Technical Requirements page for a complete list of computer skills and technical requirements.
 

Communication and Faculty Response Policy

Communication
  • Use the course email tool only for private, personal, one-to-one communication with a specific individual, or groups of individuals. Do not send course related emails to the instructor's BC email address.
  • In the event that the course communication tools are unavailable for more than 24 hours, the instructor will communicate with students (if necessary) via their BC email address. Access your BC email account at http://www.outlook.com
Faculty Response
  • Course emails and discussion posts will be answered within 48 hours. Emails and submissions sent on Saturday or Sunday, or holidays may not be answered until the next school day. It is recommended that you post course-related questions in the discussion area. Other students may have the same questions as you or may even be able to answer your questions. If you need info related to a test or assignment, plan ahead and submit your questions well ahead of the due date. Additionally, you can contact your instructor during their online office hours or schedule an online meeting. Your instructor is not online 24 hours per day, so please allow time for responses.
 

Required Course Materials

You do not need to purchase any materials for this course; all reading material is included at NO additional cost to you. All readings are directly available to you within or via links through our Content.
 

Methods of Instruction

This is a 3-credit hour fully online course without proctored exams. In this class, you will engage in structured out-of-class and online activities. The online activities may include, but are not limited to, readings, discussions, essays, case studies, research, and/or online quizzes and tests. See the course schedule for a detailed description of activities. Students are responsible for regularly reviewing the course schedule and completing all required assignments.
 

Course Schedule and Assignments

Read and refer to this section regularly. It will tell you what assignments you should complete, and how to complete them. Deadlines for assignments, assessments, discussions, quizzes, tests, and all other graded and non-graded activities are posted in the course schedule. Submitting work late will be permitted only under extenuating circumstances and only with prior notification and documentation (original funeral notice, original doctor note, etc.).
Instructions for Discussion Forum:
  • Participation in class discussions is mandatory. All discussions question topics -- except for the general question topic where you can ask a question when you are unsure of something -- are graded. For each question, you must post twice.
    1.) First, post a response to the original question. In fact, a user must compose a message before participating in the topic (in other words -- you will not be able to see any other students' posts until you post your own original response). You will not earn points for completion alone. The depth and breadth of the response will be considered. When speaking about the literature, quote as needed for support. [This is good practice for your essays.] As a general rule, your original response should be thoughtful, thorough, and well developed. As a guideline, try to write a response of about 100 words.
    2.) Second, as a way to encourage class discussion and mimic the kind of conversation that would take place in a conventional on-campus classroom, you must also post a peer response. Select a fellow student's post and respond to it. Again, you will not automatically earn points for completion alone. As a guideline, try to write a response of about 50 words. Do more than just say "I agree" or a similar response. Instead, explain why you agree or disagree -- or better yet, ask questions, consider alternatives, etc. When either an original post or a peer response is missing, only 50% credit will be earned. Discussion postings are expected to be posted according to the Course Schedule table. No late discussion postings will be accepted for credit.
Instructions for Assignments, including Essays: Students will find full detailed instructions for all individual assignments within the Content section of the course and under Assignments. If students are to earn the best possible grade on any assignment, it is essential that they have first carefully read all assigned learning materials (refer to course schedule above). Essays 1 and 2 must quote directly from the poems and stories assigned -- but no outside research should be used for these two essays. Essay 3 does not make reference to literary works, but it must incorporate research.
    • Assignment deadlines are posted in the Course Schedule table. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR CREDIT (unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.)

    • All assignments must be saved as Microsoft Word Files and uploaded into the course’s Assignments section. Files sent via e-mail will NOT be accepted for credit.

  • Once submitted in the Assignments section, all assignments will be checked for plagiarism by TurnItIn. TurnItIn is an online tool that has been fully integrated into our BConline course. It checks student assignments for any incidents of plagiarism by comparing these writings against hundreds of millions of texts available in print, online, and in academic databases. If you object to this procedure, you should drop from this course before the add/drop deadline (in order to receive a full refund).


Read and refer to this document regularly. It will tell you what assignments you should complete.

ALL DUE TIMES ARE 11:59 PM EST
COURSE SCHEDULE
Orientation Unit: Date to DateActivities
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student shall be able to:
  • Navigate D2L, using all tools with ease
  • Understand all course policies and requirements
Read in Content
  • Welcome Letter
  • Syllabus and Schedule
  • All items within Orientation to Online Learning
Assignments
  • Orientation Certificate
Discussions
  • Student Introductions
Assessment
  • Syllabus Quiz
UNIT 1
Overview and Lessons 1-3: Date to DateActivities
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student shall be able to:
  • Read and analyze one or more texts for artistic, cultural, historical, or structural merit (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 1.1).Explain relevant literary devices and rhetorical strategies as they relate to the selected readings (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.1).
  • Develop thematic ideas based on logical, independent analysis and class discussion (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.2).
  • Formulate an understanding of a reading or an idea’s import for its historical, contemporary, or social context (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.3).
Primary Texts to Read in Content
  • "The Fish"
  • "A Blessing"
  • "My Papa's Waltz"
  • "Lady Lazarus"
  • "The Blue Bowl"
  • "Most Like an Arch This Marriage"
Additional Material to Read in Content
  • Unit 1 Overview
  • Essay 1 Prompt and Instructions
  • Lesson 1: Reading Poetry
  • Lesson 2: Meaning and the Elements of Poetry
  • Lesson 3: Thinking about the Poems
  • Helpful Documents
Discussions
  • "The Fish"
  • "A Blessing"
  • "My Papa's Waltz"
  • "Lady Lazarus"
  • "The Blue Bowl"
  • "Most Like an Arch This Marriage"
Lessons 4-6: Date to DateActivities
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student shall be able to:
  • Read and analyze one or more texts for artistic, cultural, historical, or structural merit (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 1.1).
  • Arrange a sufficient number of paragraphs with supporting details in a clear, logical order (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 1.2).
  • Devise a limited and coherent thesis statement (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 1.3).
  • Explain relevant literary devices and rhetorical strategies as they relate to the selected readings (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.1).
  • Develop thematic ideas based on logical, independent analysis and class discussion (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.2).
  • Formulate an understanding of a reading or an idea’s import for its historical, contemporary, or social context (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.3).
  • Assemble a formal essay based on the unit’s readings and their constructed understanding (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.4).
  • Revise (ENC 1102 Learning Outcomes 1.4 and 2.5).
Additional Material to Read in Content
  • Lesson 4: Writing an Explication Essay
  • Lesson 5: MLA Guidelines
  • Lesson 6: Self-Assessment, Peer Review, Revision, and Editing for Essay 1
  • Helpful Documents
Discussions
  • Post Essay 1 Peer Review and Self-Assessment - Step 1
  • Post Essay 1 Peer Review and Self-Assessment - Step 2
Assignments
  • Essay 1 Rough Draft
  • Essay 1 Final Draft
UNIT 2
Overview and Lessons 1-3: Date to DateActivities
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student shall be able to:
  • Read and analyze one or more texts for artistic, cultural, historical, or structural merit (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 1.1).
  • Explain relevant literary devices and rhetorical strategies as they relate to the selected readings (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.1).
  • Develop thematic ideas based on logical, independent analysis and class discussion (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.2).
  • Formulate an understanding of a reading or an idea’s import for its historical, contemporary, or social context (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.3).
Primary Texts to Read in Content
  • "Marriage Is a Private Affair"
  • "Everyday Use"
  • "A Jury of Her Peers"
  • "Lamb to the Slaughter"
  • "The Necklace"
  • "A Good Man Is Hard to Find"
Additional Material Read in Content
  • Unit 2 Overview
  • Essay 2 Prompt and Instructions
  • Lesson 1: Reading Fiction
  • Lesson 2: Elements of Fiction
  • Lesson 3: Thinking about the Stories
  • Helpful Documents
Discussions
  • "Marriage Is a Private Affair"
  • "Everyday Use"
  • "A Jury of Her Peers"
  • "Lamb to the Slaughter"
  • "The Necklace"
  • "A Good Man Is Hard to Find"
>Lessons 4-6: Date to DateActivities
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student shall be able to:
  • Read and analyze one or more texts for artistic, cultural, historical, or structural merit (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 1.1).
  • Arrange a sufficient number of paragraphs with supporting details in a clear, logical order (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 1.2).
  • Devise a limited and coherent thesis statement (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 1.3).
  • Explain relevant literary devices and rhetorical strategies as they relate to the selected readings (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.1).
  • Develop thematic ideas based on logical, independent analysis and class discussion (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.2).
  • Formulate an understanding of a reading or an idea’s import for its historical, contemporary, or social context (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.3).
  • Assemble a formal essay based on the unit’s readings and their constructed understanding (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 2.4).
  • Revise (ENC 1102 Learning Outcomes 1.4 and 2.5).
Additional Material to Read in Content
  • Lesson 4: Writing a Comparison/Contrast Essay
  • Lesson 5: MLA Guidelines Revisited
  • Lesson 6: Self-Assessment, Peer Review, Revision, and Editing for Essay 2
  • Helpful Documents
Discussions
  • Post Essay 2 Peer Review and Self-Assessment - Step 1
  • Post Essay 2 Peer Review and Self-Assessment - Step 2
Assignments
  • Essay 2 Rough Draft
  • Essay 2 Final Draft
UNIT 3
Overview and Lessons 1: Date to DateActivities
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student shall be able to:
  • Assess and evaluate the unit’s readings, ideas, or researched materials (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 3.1).
Primary Texts to Read in Content
  • "Colleges Should Mandate That All Textbooks Be Digitized"
Additional Material to Read in Content
  • Unit 3 Overview
  • Essay 3 Prompt and Instructions
  • Lesson 1: Argumentative Essays
Discussion
  • "Colleges Should Mandate That All Textbooks Be Digitized"
Assessments
  • Complete the ENC 1102 Reading Analysis Assessment
Lesson 2: Date to DateActivities
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student shall be able to:
  1. Assess and evaluate the unit’s readings, ideas, or researched materials (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 3.1).
Additional Material to Read in Content
  • Lesson 2: Developing an Argument
  • Research Proposal Instructions
Discussions
  • Finding a Topic of Interest
Assignments
  • Essay 3 Research Proposal
Lessons 3-4: Date to DateActivities
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student shall be able to:
  1. Assess and evaluate the unit’s readings, ideas, or researched materials (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 3.1).
Additional Material to Read in Content
  • Annotated Bibliography Instructions
  • Lesson 3: Evidence
  • Lesson 4: Finding Sources
  • Helpful Documents
Assignments
  • Unit 3 Annotated Bibliography
Discussions
  • Writing with Authority
  • Topic Presentation
Lessons 5-7: Date to DateActivities
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this unit, the student shall be able to:
  • Assess and evaluate the unit’s readings, ideas, or researched materials (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 3.1).
  • Develop a paper structured around an original, clearly-developed argument or analysis, while effectively employing self-researched, primary and secondary sources in support of this paper’s thesis (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 3.2).
  • Revise a work from this unit’s writing (ENC 1102 Learning Outcome 3.3).
Additional Material to Read in Content
  • Lesson 5: Drafting the Research Paper
  • Lesson 6: Integrating Sources/MLA Documentation
  • Lesson 7: Self-Assessment, Peer Review, Revision, and Editing for Essay 3
  • Helpful Documents
Discussions
  • Post Essay 2 Peer Review and Self-Assessment - Step 1
  • Post Essay 2 Peer Review and Self-Assessment - Step 2
Assignments
  • Essay 3 Rough Draft
  • Essay 3 Final Draft
End-of-Term
End-of-TermActivities
Survey
  • Complete End of Course Survey

Grading and Exam Policy

  • View your Grades
    • Grades for assignments will be posted within 7 BC working days of the closing date of the assignment.
    • Grades for discussion postings will be posted within 7 BC working days after the discussion has closed.
  • Make-up Exam
    • It is at the discretion of the instructor to offer a make-up exam. Make-up exams will only be considered under extenuating circumstances, and with prior notification and documentation (original funeral notice, original doctor note, etc.). Scheduling appointments and vacations are not valid reasons for requesting a make-up exam.
  • How your Grade will be Determined
AssessmentPercent of Final Grade
Discussions (16 total, equally divided)25%
Exercises (3 Rough Draft Assignments, 3 Peer Reviews, 1 Research Proposal, 1 Reading Assessment, and 1 Annotated Bibliography, equally divided)15%
Essay 115%
Essay 215%
Essay 3 (Research Paper)30%
Total100%

Grading Scale
GradesPercentage
Grade = A90-100%
Grade = B80-89.9%
Grade = C70-79.9%
Grade = D60-69.9%
Grade = F59.9%-0.0%

Technical Resources

Password Reset
Technical Problems
Return to Table of Contents

ENC1101 Course Preview Page: Fall 2015

 

Course Name: Composition ITerm and Session: Fall 2015
Course ID: ENC1101Reference Number:  525538

Faculty Contact Information

Instructor Name:Dr. Kristin Berkey-Abbott
BC Online Phone:954-201-7900
Fax:954-201-7937
Email:Please use the D2L email tool. Use my BC email ONLY if you are unable to access the course email: kberkeya@broward.edu
Online Office Hours:As online faculty, I have no onground office. But I will be online multiple times a day, most days.
BC Safety Phone #:954-201-HELP (4357)

Course Description



ENC1101 is a university parallel course in which the student writes expository themes in various modes. Research methods and library skills are introduced and a documented paper is required. Each student is encouraged to use the writing lab [or other relevant supplemental resources] to strengthen writing skills. Placement in ENC1101 is determined by both standard and departmental assessment tests. A student must earn a grade of "C" or higher to meet the requirements of the Gordon Rule. Please refer to the Student Guide to the English Department for more details.

General Course Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
  • Compose units of discourse and provide ideas and information suitable to the purpose and the audience.
  • Transmit ideas and information in effective written language by employing good diction, conventional sentence structure, and standard written American English grammar and usage.
  • Locate and evaluate primary and secondary sources and incorporate the relevant information into a paper documented internally and bibliographically via MLA Format.
  • Analyze written texts so as to discuss their content, artistic merits, logical progression, and thoroughness of citation (if any).
Prerequisites and Corequisites



To maximize your chances for success in this course, make sure that you meet the following course prerequisites:
Course Prerequisites and Co-requisites: Eligibility for ENC1101. If you attended a Florida high school, you are likely exempt from taking the PERT exam and therefore cannot be required to take a college-prep English course. However, if you know that you struggle with grammar skills, it may be in your best interest to take ENC0015 and/or ENC0025 before taking ENC1101.

Methods of Instruction


English Composition I (ENC1101) is a required English course in which you will learn how to write intelligent, sophisticated college-level essays. To succeed in this class, it is crucial that you complete all required readings and assignments by their respective deadlines.

This is a 3 credit hour course. Normally, a three credit hour course would meet two or three times each week (during a 16 week term) for a total of 3 hours per week or 48 hours per term. In this class, we will conduct learning via students completing the assigned textbook readings, participating in the “BC Online” asynchronous discussion board, reading posted course lessons, completing online quizzes/tests, and submitting writing assignments in the Assignments section of the course. Therefore, this is a fully online course. On average, you should expect to spend between 4 to 6 hours a week on the coursework.

See the course schedule (on the last page of this syllabus) for a detailed description of learning activities/assignments. Students are responsible for regularly reviewing the course schedule and completing all required class assignments.

Textbook and Materials

No Required Textbook Recommended Resource:

textbook
There are no required textbooks in this course. However, you may find the following optional resource worthwhile:
OPTIONAL RESOURCE
A Pocket Style Manual, 6th Edition, by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers.
The physical book can be purchased at Amazon.com or elsewhere. The eBook version can be purchased from the publisher or via CourseSmart.

This optional text includes detailed information on grammar, punctuation, mechanics, usage, clarity, research, MLA & other citation formats.


Class Activities



Read and refer to this section regularly. It will tell you what assignments you should complete, and how to complete them.

Deadlines for assignments, assessments, discussions, quizzes, tests, and all other graded and non-graded activities are posted in the course schedule. Submitting work late will be permitted only under extenuating circumstances and only with prior notification and documentation (original funeral notice, original doctor note, etc.).

This course is divided into 5 “Learning Units.” The contents of these learning units can be found within the “Course Lessons” folder on our course homepage. At the beginning of each Learning Unit, make sure to view the “Learning Unit Overview” document included within the unit folder for greater detail on the assignments and readings to be completed.

Important!

When viewing videos, animations or other mixed media content, you may experience blank or missing content. This may indicate security setting issues with the web browser.

Instructions on how to view content that is blocked by the browser:
https://bconline.broward.edu/shared/Tutorials/Students/CourseTools/ContentBrowser/browsers.html



Discussions


Use the general discussion thread to post questions that might be of interest to all students such as questions about assignments, tests, etc. Feel free to respond to other students with thoughtful responses. Proofread the content of your posts before making them public; proper grammar and sentence structure are expected. Remember that the discussion tool is public - all enrolled students will be able to view posts and responses. Please follow proper netiquette. Grades for discussion postings will be posted within five working days after the discussion has closed. If you need general information and support for the discussion tool visit the discussion tutorial page.

Assignments


Assignments may be submitted only during the availability dates as specified in your syllabus. The submission of an assignment is the sole responsibility of the student. Students should not leave assignment preparation until the last minute and must plan their workloads so as to be able to meet the deadlines. Assignments submitted after the due date and time will only be accepted if prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. Assignments should not be mailed, faxed or emailed directly to your instructor unless otherwise directed. You should keep an electronic copy of all assignments. Grades for assignments will be posted within five working days of the closing date of the assignment. If you need general information and support with assignments visit the assignment tutorial page.

Assessments


Assessments may be taken only during the availability dates as specified in the course schedule. The submission of an assessment is the sole responsibility of the student. Please allow ample time to complete assessments and be observant of the time limit. Make sure you have a solid internet connection. Most online quiz and exam grades will be available after finishing the quiz or exam. If you need general information and support with assessments visit the assessment tutorial page.

It is at the discretion of the instructor to offer a make-up exam. Make-up exams will only be considered under extenuating circumstances, and with prior notification and documentation (original funeral notice, original doctor note, etc.). Scheduling conflicting appointments and vacations are not valid reasons for requesting a make-up exam.

Class Schedule

Below is a typical course schedule that we will follow. You are highly encouraged to print this section of the syllabus in order to regularly refer to these deadlines.



Note that the deadlines are for Winter 2015, so for summer they will be different. I left them here so that you would have a sense of the pace of the course.



COURSE SCHEDULE
Orientation Module: Date to DateActivities
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the orientation students will be able to:
  1. Identify all course requirements
  2. Navigate D2L
1. Read the Course Introduction, Syllabus, and BC Online Orientation within the "Course Introduction and Syllabus" folder in the Content portion of this course.
2. Post an introduction of yourself under the "Introduce Yourself" topic within the discussion board.
3. Take the Syllabus Quiz
Learning Unit # 1: Grammar and Sentence-Level Skills
(DATES)
Activities
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module students will be able to:
  1. Recognize and compose effective sentences by employing good diction, conventional sentence structure, and standard written American English grammar and usage.
1. Login to MyWritingLab and begin working on the exercises. Details for this are explained within Learning Unit #1 (see Introduction to Learning Unit #1).
2. Review lessons and resources within Learning Unit #1.
3. Optional: If you purchase the Pocket Style Manual, pages 19 through 86 will be helpful to review these key concepts of grammar, punctuation, and sentence mechancs.
4. Complete the exercises in each of the 6 study modules within MyWritingLab.
5. Within each of these modules, you will take a number of topic post-tests to demonstrate your understanding of the topics studied. The average of these post-tests will count as 10% of your course grade.
  • Please note that this due date for is within the timeframe of Learning Unit #3. Thus, you are encouraged to continue working on these skills at your own pace during the first half of this course. HOWEVER, CONTINUE ONTO THE NEXT LEARNING UNIT by the date indicated below.
Learning Unit # 2: College-Level Essay Writing
DATES
Activities
Learning OutcomesBy the end of this module students will be able to:
  1. Read with critical comprehension.
  2. Formulate an effective thesis statement and topic sentences.
  3. Develop a persuasive essay to include an effective structure, adequate logical support, and appropriate tone.
  4. Compose effective sentences by employing good diction, conventional sentence structure, and standard written American English grammar and usage.
1. Read all lessons within Module 1 & 2 of Learning Unit #2.
2. Read the Paper #1 Assignment (found within Learning Unit #2).
3. Participate in the discussion board conversations. While these are not graded, they are your best chance to engage with your teacher and your classmates to better understand the course material.
4. Take Quiz #1 on Academic Tone
5. Take Quiz #2 on Essay Structure & Thesis Statements .
6. Submit Paper Topic Paragraph .
7. Take Quiz #3 on the Use of Logic in Persuasive Essays.
8. Take Quiz #4 on Paper #1 Assignment.
9. Submit the Outline Worksheet
10. Optional 1st Draft of Paper #1
11. Submit the final draft of Paper #1
Learning Unit # 3: Analyzing a Text
DATES
Activities
Learning OutcomesBy the end of this module students will be able to:
  1. Read with critical comprehension.
  2. Formulate an effective thesis statement and topic sentences.
  3. Develop an analytical essay to include an effective structure, adequate logical support, and appropriate tone.
  4. Compose effective sentences by employing good diction, conventional sentence structure, and standard written American English grammar and usage.


1. Read all lessons within Module 1 & 2 of Learning Unit #3.
2. Read the Paper #2 Assignment (found within Learning Unit #3).
3. Participate in the discussion board conversations. While these are not graded, they are your best chance to engage with your teacher and your classmates to better understand the course material.
4. Take Quiz #5 on the readings within Module 2
5. Take Quiz #6 on the Paper #2 Assignment
6. Submit Paper Topic Paragraph
7. Submit the Outline Worksheet
8. Optional 1st Draft of Paper #2
9. Submit the final draft of Paper #2
Learning Unit # 4: Using Research to Support an Analysis
DATES
Activities
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module students will be able to:
  1. Read with critical comprehension.
  2. Formulate an effective thesis statement and topic sentences.
  3. Develop an analytical essay to include an effective structure, adequate logical support, and appropriate tone.
  4. Compose effective sentences by employing good diction, conventional sentence structure, and standard written American English grammar and usage.
  5. Locate and evaluate primary and secondary sources in both print and electronic formats and incorporate the relevant information into a properly documented paper, both internally and bibliographically, via MLA format.
1. Read the selections within Module 1 of Learning Unit #4.
2. Read all lessons within Module 1 & 2 of Learning Unit #4.
3. Read the Paper #3 Assignment (found within Learning Unit #4).
4. Participate in the discussion board conversations. While these are not graded, they are your best chance to engage with your teacher and your classmates to better understand the course material.
5. Take Quiz #7 on the Module 2 lessons
6. Take Quiz #8 on the Module 3 lessons
7. Submit Paper Topic Paragraph
8. Take Quiz #9 on the Paper #3 Assignment
9. Submit the Outline Worksheet
10. Optional 1st Draft of Paper #3
11. Submit the final draft of Paper #3 by
Learning Unit # 5: A Reflective Analysis on Writing Process & Skills
DATES
Activities
Learning OutcomesBy the end of this module students will be able to:
1. Formulate an effective thesis statement and topic sentences.
2. Develop an analytical essay to include an effective structure, adequate logical support, and appropriate tone.
3. Compose effective sentences by employing good diction, conventional sentence structure, and standard written American English grammar and usage.
1. Read the Paper #4 Assignment (found within Learning Unit #5).
2. Participate in the discussion board conversations. While these are not graded, they are your best chance to engage with your teacher and your classmates to better understand the course material.
3. Take Quiz #10 on the Paper #4 Assignment
4. Submit Paper #4
5. Read the OPTIONAL Paper Revision Project Assignment (found within Learning Unit #5).
6. Submit the OPTIONAL Paper Revision Project. No late papers will be accepted.

Grading and Exam Policy




Below is further explanation of how the course assignments will be graded:

Writing Assignments:


Paper Assignments: The major writing assignments of this course will be fully explained in the "Learning Units" section of the website. In order to earn a quality grade, it is ESSENTIAL that you follow the assignment's directions and apply all the knowledge that you've gained through our lessons and the textbook readings. Grammar, spelling, and spelling all influence your grade significantly. You MAY NOT use additional research sources for these assignments except in those assignments where research is specifically required within the assignment explanation (doing so may result plagiarism which would result in failure of the course). The deadlines for each assignment are listed in the Course Schedule section syllabus. Any assignment submitted late will have 10 points deducted per day late.

All of these writing assignments must be saved as Microsoft Word Files (as a .doc, .docx, or .rtf file) and uploaded into the course’s Assignments section (which can be found in the blue toolbar near the top of your screen) by the required deadline. Once submitted in the Assignments section, all assignments will be checked for plagiarism by TurnItIn. TurnItIn is an online tool that has been fully integrated into our BC Online course. It checks student assignments for any incidents of plagiarism by comparing these writings against hundreds of millions of texts available in print, online, and in academic databases. If you object to this procedure, you should withdraw from this course before the Friday of the first week of class (in order to receive a full refund).

Optional 1st drafts: Certain 1st drafts are ntoed as optional within the syllabus. You are encouraged to submit 1st drafts by the listed deadlines so as to receive feedback on the writing and thinking skills that have been demonstrated. While not all elements can be discussed within this feedback, major errors in structure and/or logic will be discussed within this feedback. If you choose to submit 1st drafts, you should approach them as your best attempt at the finished product, not a "sloppy copy." These optional DO NOT COUNT towards your overall course grade. However, a numeric grade will be given to each 1st draft submitted so that you can determine the level of revision necessary while crafting your final draft.

Optional Paper Revision Project: During the final week of the course, you will be given the opportunity to revise and resubmit ONE of the previous papers written during the course. This revision will be given a new grade and the two grades (on the initial paper plus the revision paper) will be averaged together. For example, if you earned a 60% on Paper #1 and then decide to revise and resubmit a new version of this paper for the Paper Revision Project, earning an 80% on the revision, a grade of 70% will be recorded as your grade for Paper #1 in calculating your final course grade.

Exams & Quizzes:


Quizzes: These will consist of multiple choice, true/false, matching, short answer, and fill-in-the-blank questions. Quizzes MUST be taken by the assigned deadline, so please portion your time accordingly. In order to allow for the possibility of technical difficulties or error, at the end of the semester, your lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

MyWritingLab Exercises: During the first half of the semester, you should use the grammar resources available in Learning Unit #1 and via MyWritingLab to prepare for this test. See details within Learning Unit #1.

Practice Exercises: Within some of the learning units and in the Assessments section, you will find hundreds of "Practice Exercises." These have been provided by Bedford/St. Martins Press, the publisher of A Pocket Style Handbook. These exercises are OPTIONAL and are not related to your course grade in any way. They are simply ways for you to independently practice your skills.

How your Grade will be Determined

AssessmentPercent of Final Grade
Paper #115%
Paper #220%
Paper #325%
Paper #410%
Quizzes
Pre-Writing Assignments (Outline Worksheets & Paper Topic Paragraphs)
10%
10%
MyWritingLab Module Post-Tests10%
Total100%


Grading Scale
GradesPercentage
Grade = A90-100+%
Grade = B80-89.9%
Grade = C70-79.9%
Grade = D60-69.9%
Grade = F59.9%-0.0%


Additional Grading Policies

According to state requirements, students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in order to pass this course.
Paper #3 is considered a "Research Paper" and will require the use of outside sources that you will find through library research. During this semester, we will discuss the research process and the specific requirements for this paper.
All assignments must be submitted by the day they are due. Your grade will be lowered 1 letter grade (-10 points) per day if a paper is turned in late. No papers will be accepted beyond 4 days past their due dates.
If you have taken this course twice before, you do not have the option to receive a "W" in this course by withdrawing before the withdrawal deadline. College rules further state that you may not attempt this course more than 3 times.
If a paper is never submitted, you will automatically fail the course. No papers will be accepted beyond 4 days past their due date.



Policy on Late Work:
Papers will lose 10 points per day late except under extreme, documentable circumstances. Computer/online access problems do NOT qualify as excused circumstances. If your internet connection fails, find a connection at places like FedEx Office, Starbucks, the local library, or Broward College's library.
Required pre-writing steps such as the Paper Topic Paragraphs or Outline Worksheets will not be accepted more than 1 day late. If submitted late, the submission will only earn half-credit.
Quizzes cannot be completed after the due date and time. Make sure to allow ample time before the deadlines to complete quizzes.
There will be no makeup assignments available except under extreme, documentable circumstances.

BC Online-Based Quizzes and Exams:
These quizzes can be taken any time during the open time period (usually 3 to 4 days) prior to the closing date, and may be taken via any computer with an Internet connection.
Collaboration between students and discussion of quiz answers are NOT permitted.
You may NOT use the book, notes, internet sources, course lessons, or other parts of our course website while taking the graded quizzes. In order to maintain the best approximation of an on-campus course, it is important that you adhere to the basic expectation of academic integrity. So these are NOT "open-book" or "open-note" quizzes. If you have any questions about this, please email your instructor.
All quizzes and exams are timed. You are only permitted a limited amount of time to take the quiz from the moment that you open it. Keep an eye on the timer clock as you are taking these quizzes. Make sure to click "Save Answer" after each question so that if you accidentally close the window or time runs out, the answers you've saved will still be submitted. If time runs out and you've not chosen "save answer" after each question, none of your answers will be submitted (which will result in a 0%) grade.
You will only be able to attempt each quiz once. Allow time to complete each quiz before the closing date and time. Make sure you have a solid Internet connection. If your ISP disconnects you during a quiz, that will count as an attempt and you will not be able to repeat the quiz.

View Your Grades:
Online quiz, exam, and assignment grades can be seen by viewing “Grades" in the toolbar. However, the best place to see the grades and feedback on the writing assignments is to look within the Assignment section itself and then click on that individual assignment.
Online quiz grades will be posted within 2 days after the quiz deadline.
Grades for writing assignments will be posted within 4 days of the closing date of the assignment. Feedback on 1st drafts or other required pre-writing steps will usually be provided within 2 days.
Your final course grade will be posted on the final day of the course.





Policies and Procedures


You are responsible for being familiar with all BC Online policies and procedures related to your activity in this course.

Attendance and Participation:

Attendance
During the first week of class, you must complete the the Syllabus Quiz in the course to verify attendance. Simply logging into the course will not satisfy your attendance during this time. As with an on-campus course, students who are reported for non-attendance in an online course who are withdrawn are still responsible for paying for the course. If you do not complete the requirements of the first week of class, you should drop the course by the official drop/add deadline or expect to pay for the course.

Regular, active, and meaningful participation in online learning activities is a critically important component of this course and is essential to your success. It is recommended that you check into the course site several times during the week. Frequency and quality of participation will significantly effect your chances for success.

Participation
Regular, active, and meaningful participation in online learning activities is an important component of this class and is essential to your success. Logging into the class does not count towards participation and attendance. You must actively participate in class activities by completing discussions, assignments, and assessments. It is recommended to check your email, the announcements, and class discussions regularly. Your day of last attendance is based on the last day you completed a documented class activity.

The following are academically related activities for the purpose of participation and attendance:

Participation in a graded discussion board,
Assessment attempt,
Assignment submission, and
Initiating contact with your instructor to ask a class-related question via D2L email

If you stop participating in any of the aforementioned activities you will be withdrawn from the class and receive a W or, if it is your third attempt, an F If you stop participating after the withdrawal date, you will receive an F Ongoing communication with the instructor is critical to your class success.
The Discussion Board is the primary venue for interaction with your peers and your professor. You are highly encouraged to regularly participate in the discussion board so as to better understand the assigned readings, course lessons, and assignments. Students who earn passing grades in this course tend to be those who regularly read what has been posted within the discussion board and participate in the on-going discussions.
You must also login to the course website regularly to read the course lessons, practice grammar skills, take online quizzes/tests, and check your “BC Online” email.
Post questions in the discussion board topic labeled "Ask Questions here" or email your instructor via “BC Online” email.
BC Attendance Policy: Please familiarize yourself with BC's Attendance Policy below, as this may have a significant impact on your GPA, your financial aid status, and (if on a student visa) your immigration status. If you have questions about the impact of a “W” or “F,” please contact Advising.

Student Initiated Withdrawals

If you are concerned about your ability to succeed in this class, it is important to make an online appointment to speak with your instructor and an academic advisor as soon as possible. It is important for you to understand the financial and academic consequences that may result from class withdrawal.

Academic Honesty


Upon gaining access to access to D2L you are expected to keep your username and password confidential. Sharing access or passwords to D2L is considered a breach of the academic honesty policy and could result in you being removed from your class. When you log-in to D2L, you do so with the understanding and agreement that you will produce your own work, complete class assignments and discussions yourself, and to take class exams, tests or quizzes without the assistance of others.

Your academic work must be the result of your own thought, research, or self-expression. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to the following: cheating, plagiarism, unacceptable collaboration, falsification of data, aiding and abetting dishonesty, unauthorized or malicious interference, hacking computer property or software, and online disturbances. Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct Policy and the Student Code of Conduct section located in the Student Handbook for more information.

All required class activities are subject to submission to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers.

Types of Academic Dishonesty:

Cheating: Is defined as obtaining or attempting to obtain, or aiding another to obtain credit for work by dishonest or deceptive means. It includes but is not limited to: copying the work of another person (plagiarism) or permitting your work to be copied by another person, discussing test answers or questions with people who have not completed the test, distributing assignment materials to other students, possessing course materials that have not been formally released to students in the course, using books, notes, or other resources while taking the quizzes/exams, and collaborating on the completion of assignments not specifically designated in the syllabus as being "group projects".

Plagiarism: The use of words or ideas of the original creator without attribution as if they were your own. Plagiarism ranges from copying someone else’s work verbatim and elaborating on or altering someone else’s work. ANY clear incident of plagiarism will result in immediate failure of the course. To ensure the authenticity of writing assignments, the Literary Interpretation Paper will be subject to submission to a plagiarism tracking program powered by www.turnitin.com. TurnItIn is an online tool that checks student assignments for any incidents of plagiarism by comparing these writings against billions of texts available in print, online, and in academic databases. When any writing assignments are submitted in this course, they are automatically checked for plagiarism by the TurnItIn tool integrated into the course. You do not need to submit any of your writings to a separate TurnItIn account, as this is automatically done when you upload anything in the Assignments section of our course.
If you object to your writing being checked for plagiarism via the TurnItIn database, you should withdraw from this course before the Friday of the first week of class (in order to receive a full refund).

Self-Plagiarism: Submitting or reusing parts of a previous paper without referencing source it was first submitted. This includes retaking a course and turning in previously submitted papers and data. IT IS A VIOLATION OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY to "recycle" or reuse portions of written work produced in another course, regardless of whether that course was taken at Broward College or elsewhere. Doing so will be considered a form of plagiarism and will result in failure of this course. Instead, you are expected to produce new, original writing within this course.

Unacceptable Collaboration: Using answers, solutions, or ideas that are the results of collaboration without citing the fact of the collaboration is improper.

Falsification of Data: Making up or falsifying information and data. Examples include making up or altering data for an experiment or citing reference to sources you did not actually use.

Pay Services: Employing an assignment writing service or having another write the paper for you.

Enabling: Aiding and abetting another student in an act of academic dishonesty. Examples include giving someone a paper to copy and allowing someone access to your account.

Unauthorized or malicious interferences: If one person deliberately interferes with the work or activities of another person on purpose to cause the other harm or irreparable damages.

Academic honesty violations are considered a breach of Broward College's Code of Conduct Policy and will result in failure of the course, disciplinary action, and/or a referral to the Dean of Student Affairs.



Student Grievance
Procedures for student grievances are found in the student handbook. In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is your obligation to make an effort to resolve the matter with your instructor. If the matter is not resolved with your instructor, then you may contact academic affairs associate dean.


Communication and Faculty Response
Communication
Use the D2L email tool only for private, personal, one-to-one communication with a specific individual, or groups of individuals. Do not send class related emails to the instructor's BC email address. In the event that the class communication tools are unavailable for more than 24 hours, the instructor will communicate with students (if necessary) via their BC email address.

Faculty Response
Class emails will be answered within 24 hours. It is recommended that you post class-related questions in the discussion area. Other students may have the same questions as you or may even be able to answer your questions. If you need information related to a test or assignment, plan ahead and submit your questions in advance of the due date.
Netiquette
In all online communication, it is expected that all students will follow rules of online "netiquette". Netiquette is a set of rules for polite online behavior that all members of this class are expected to follow. Review some of the general netiquette rules.

Individuals who violate the netiquette policy or engage in disruptive online behaviors such as flaming (posting disrespectful or hostile comments), posting inappropriate comments, or shouting (posting messages using all capitals) may have their class access privileges revoked and/or they may be referred to the Student Dean. Students who continue to engage in unacceptable online behavior even after being warned, may be permanently denied access to the class and/or may receive an F for the class.

Please don't use email short hand like ROTFLO (rolling on the floor laughing out loud) or BTW (by the way) - not everyone knows what these abbreviations mean. If you want to use emoticons (smileys) to convey feelings, please stick with the basics happy :-) sad :-( or wink ;-). Others are less well known and are subject to different interpretations. The idea is to be clear in your communications.




Privacy Notice
Broward College is committed to the privacy of all students. In accordance with institutional policy and the U.S. Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), Broward College protects the privacy of student education records. The college does not release private records of individual students, such as grades and class schedules, without prior written consent of the student. However, privacy and public records obligations of the college are governed by applicable Florida statutes and U.S. federal laws.

Course access records, quiz scores grades, email postings, discussion postings, file submissions, and chat room conversations are stored. This is a good reason to make sure that your communications adhere to proper netiquette. Please refer to the student handbook for more information.


Critical Event Procedures
The health, safety and welfare of our faculty, staff, and students are of utmost importance, and we want to ensure that students are aware of the steps Broward College takes in preparing for an emergency event or severe weather. The BC Alert system uses a layered approach to communication, reaching out to the College community with emails, text messages, phone calls and postings to the web. In addition to the information that will be available through BC Alert, there are several hotlines that will be updated with College status information in the event of a storm or other emergency:
Emergency Hotline: 954-201-4900

In the event of a school closing due to weather or other major event that might impact class schedules, the instructor will post an announcement and/or send an email indicating what changes, if any, the event will have on the course schedule and due dates.




Changes to the Syllabus
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the class syllabus. The syllabus is a guide and every attempt is made to provide an accurate overview of the class. However, circumstances and events may make it necessary for the instructor to modify the syllabus during the semester which may depend on the progress, needs, and experiences of the students. Changes to the syllabus will be made with advance notice. In the event that changes become necessary, students will be notified through class email, the discussion board, and/or the announcements tool.


Disability Services
If you need academic accommodations and/or disability services support, you must contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS). It is your responsibility to contact the ODS to document disability prior to receiving services. You must notify the instructor that you have registered with the ODS and provide the instructor a copy of the ODS letter. Your documentation and any related communication with your instructor remain strictly confidential.



Technical Resources
When taking any online course, you should know how to use an internet browser, a word processing program, send and receive e-mail, and download and upload files. Some online courses use additional software. Refer to the Class Schedule and Assignments section below for additional details. Although the help desk strives to assist our students in the best way possible they cannot be held responsible for class hardware and/or software purchases that are found to be unsatisfactory, insufficient, defective, misused, or incompatible with current system setups.
Visit the technical requirements page for a complete list of system and software requirements.

Password Reset
If your password does not work or you forgot it, click this link to reset it: student password reset.
If you need further support, please contact the BC help desk at 954-201-7521 or helpdesk@broward.edu.
Technical Problems
If you need help using D2L, you can review the step-by-step tutorials


Help Desk
For year-round, 24 hour technical assistance, please visit the 24/7 Help Desk page.

LIT2020 Course Preview Page: Fall 2015

Course Name: Introduction to the Short Story
Course Number: LIT2020
Fall 2015

Reference # 525568: 


Faculty Contact Information
Instructor Name:
Dr. Kristin Berkey-Abbott
Office/Dept. Phone:
954-201-7900
BConline Campus Phone:
954-201-7900
Fax:
NA
Email:
Please use BConline (D2L) email.
Office Hours:
Office: Campus / Bld. / Room:
Days/Time:
As online faculty, I have no onground office. But I will be online multiple times a day, most days.
Online Office Hours:
Day(s): I am likely to be online most mornings and periodically throughout the day.
Time: For a specific meeting time, let's make an appointment.
Meeting Location: Chat, Discussion, Pager
BC Safety Phone #:
954-201-HELP (4357)

Course Description
Students will engage in analysis of short stories from many countries of the world. Authors may include Edgar Allan Poe, Flannery O’Connor, Toni Cade Bambara, Raymond Carver, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Joseph Conrad, Zora Neale Hurston, and many others.
This online version of the course has been divided into four Learning Units, each with a thematic connection. The four themes utilized within this version of the course are “Finding Oneself,” “Encountering Society,” “The Human Mind,” and “Love and Family.”
General Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
  • Analyze plot structures as used in a variety of short stories.
  • Analyze the various types of characters and their roles in short stories.
  • Identify various points of view used in short stories and the effect of each upon the stories and their themes.
  • Recognize symbols and identify the abstractions they represent.
Please see the individual learning units for more detailed and specific learning objectives.
Course Prerequisites
To maximize your chances for success in this course, make sure that you meet the following course prerequisites:
  • Course Prerequisites and Co-requisites: Since this is a “Writing Requirement” course, in order to register for this course, you must be eligible for, currently enrolled in, or already have taken ENC1101.
Course Attendance and Participation Policy
During the first week of class, you must complete the course orientation quiz or you will be withdrawn from the course. Simply logging into the course will not satisfy your attendance during this time. As with an on-campus course, students who are reported for non-attendance in an online course and are withdrawn are still responsible for paying for the course. If you do not complete the requirements of the first week of class, you should drop the course by the official drop/add deadline or expect to pay for the course.
It is very important for you to actively participate in this online class. If you stop participating in class discussions, do not submit assignments, or fail to take quizzes or tests prior to the withdrawal date, you will be withdrawn from class and receive a W or, if it is your third attempt, an F.

If you stop participating after the withdrawal date, you will receive an F. To avoid this situation, you should remain an active learner in this class and always communicate extenuating circumstances to your instructor. Ongoing communication with the instructor is critical to your course success. Completion of tests, assignments, and other class activities are used as indicators of your participation in order to satisfy this reporting requirement.
Communication and Faculty Response Policy
Communication
  • Use the course email tool only for private, personal, one-to-one communication with a specific individual, or groups of individuals. Do not send course related emails to the instructor's BC email address.
  • In the event that the course communication tools are unavailable for more than 24 hours, the instructor will communicate with students (if necessary) via their BC email address. Access your BC email account at http://www.outlook.com
Faculty Response
  • Course emails and discussion posts will be answered within 48 hours. Emails and submissions sent on Saturday or Sunday, or holidays may not be answered until the next school day. It is recommended that you post course-related questions in the discussion area. Other students may have the same questions as you or may even be able to answer your questions. If you need info related to a test or assignment, plan ahead and submit your questions well ahead of the due date. Additionally, you can contact your instructor during their online office hours or schedule an online meeting. Your instructor is not online 24 hours per day, so please allow time for responses.
Required Course Materials

Required Text:
Title: The Story and Its Writer: An Introduction to Short Fiction, 8th edition
Author(s): Ann Charters
Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's; (July 16, 2010)
ISBN 13: 978-0312596231

Books for online courses are available at the Central Campus bookstore
A. Hugh Adams Central Campus Bookstore
Admissions & Student Service Center - Bldg. 19
Tel: (954) 201-6830
Fax: (954) 201-6895

Methods of Instruction
This is a 3-credit hour fully online course with/without proctored exams. In this class, you will engage in structured out-of-class and online activities. The online activities may include, but are not limited to, readings, discussions, essays, case studies, research, and/or online quizzes and tests. See the course schedule for a detailed description of activities. Students are responsible for regularly reviewing the course schedule and completing all required assignments. During a regular semester, you should expect to spend between 6 to 9 hours a week on the coursework.
Course Schedule and Assignments
Read and refer to this section regularly. It will tell you what assignments you should complete, and how to complete them. Deadlines for assignments, assessments, discussions, quizzes, tests, and all other graded and non-graded activities are posted in the course schedule. Submitting work late will be permitted only under extenuating circumstances and only with prior notification and documentation (original funeral notice, original doctor note, etc.).
Quizzes and Exams
  • Each of the course’s learning units culminates with a series of quizzes on the stories and course lessons that have been covered during that unit. The format of these quizzes will be true/false, matching, multiple choice, and short answer. Each quiz has a strict time-limit, so once you begin the quiz, the timer begins and you must complete it within the limited time provided.
  • Each exam and quiz will be available for a time period of 4 days.
  • When taking either the quizzes or exams, it is crucial that you click “Save Answer” after each question to ensure that it is submitted. If time expires while you are taking the exam, only the questions for which you have clicked “Save Answer” will have been submitted.
  • Collaboration between students and discussion of exam/quiz questions are NOT permitted. Any violation of this will result in immediate failure of the course.
  • You may NOT use any notes, lessons from our site, other websites, or your textbook during the quizzes or exams. These are NOT open-book quizzes/exams. Violating these rules will be a violation of the school’s honor code and will result in failure of the course.
  • You will only be able to attempt each quiz or exam once. Allow time to complete each exam before the closing date and time. Make sure you have a solid Internet connection. If your ISP disconnects you during an exam, that will count as an attempt and you will not be able to repeat the exam.
  • Your score on these quizzes and exams will not be available until AFTER the availability period has ended. At that point, you can view your score and specific questions answered by clicking on the score within the Assessments section of the course.
  • Extra Credit: There will be one extra credit quiz (on MLA Format and plagiarism), occurring near the end of the course. If you score well on this quiz, it will be used to replace your lowest other quiz grade in the course.
Make-up Exam
  • It is at the discretion of the instructor to offer a make-up exam. Make-up exams will only be considered under extenuating circumstances, and with prior notification and documentation (original funeral notice, original doctor note, etc.). Scheduling appointments and vacations are not valid reasons for requesting a make-up exam.
  • If you miss an exam due without the above excused absence, your grade on the exam will be 0%. In the case of an “excused absence”, arrangements for a make-up quiz or exam should be made with your professor by email.
Writing Assignments
  • This course consists of two types of writing assignments:
    1. The Research Paper (at the end of Learning Unit #4). Because this is a “Writing Requirement” course, you must earn a passing grade (at least a 60%) on this paper in order to earn a “C” or higher in this course. If you skip this assignment, the highest grade you may still earn in the course is a “D.” The details of this assignment are explained within Learning Unit #4. You are encouraged to review this assignment at the beginning of the course so that you have a better understanding of the course’s expectations.
  • Plagiarism is the use of another person’s words and/or ideas without specific, properly-documented credit. Within the “Writing Lessons” folder, you will find review lessons on the research process, avoiding plagiarism, and MLA Format. It is essential that you utilize these lessons. If you engage in plagiarism on these writing assignments or anywhere else within the course (such as the discussion board), this will result in immediate failure of the course. Please do not make this mistake!
  • All writing assignments submitted within the Assignments section are checked for originality through the TurnItIn database, which is built into the Assignments tool. TurnItIn checks student assignments for any incidents of plagiarism by comparing these writings against hundreds of millions of texts available in print, online, and in academic databases. If you object to inclusion of your submission in the TurnItIn database, you should withdraw from this course before the end of the first week of class (in order to receive a full refund).
Late Submissions
  • If any writing assignment is submitted late, 10% will be deducted per day late (including weekends). No assignment will be accepted beyond 3 days past the due date.
  • There will be no makeup assignments or extra credit available. Please make sure to complete our course’s assignments by their required date.
  • The only exceptions to this late policy will be those who are able to document a legitimate excused absence. These include serious illness (doctor’s note or hospital admittance), death in the family (funeral announcement, memorial card, or other documentation needed), or similar.
The Discussion Board
  • The Discussion Board is the primary venue for interaction with your peers and your professor. You are required to regularly participate in the discussion board so as to better understand the assigned readings, course lessons, and assignments. Students who succeed in this course tend to be those who regularly read what has been posted within the discussion board and participate thoughtfully in the on-going discussions. You must contribute ONE QUALITY POSTING PER STORY.
  • Instructions for Discussion Postings: When you post, you should respond directly to the questions posed. Posts must be 125 to 200 words, a single paragraph. There's no need for the first person (the use of "I"). As you are already expressing your thoughts, beliefs and opinions in your analyses (backed up by evidence from the text of the stories), there is no need for phrases such as "I believe," "I think," or "in my opinion." These are wordy and unnecessary.

    As with essays, in these posts an objective tone is preferred. As the course progresses, I expect students to use critical language and specific terms relating to the elements of prose fiction (i.e. narrator, character, point of view, irony, conflict, symbol, etc.)

    Posts should ALWAYS name the story (in quotation marks) and the author at the beginning of a post. Always quote a few words and phrases or an occasional sentence from the text of the story. If you refer to the author a second time during the post, use the author's last name only, rather than first name or full name. Please see the Instructions for Making Posts in the Instructions and Guidelines Folder on your Home Page for more details and the post grading rubric.
  • NOTE: Students are expected to read other students' posts, but to write their own, fully original responses. After you have made your post, always check back in the next day or so for my comment and guidelines.
  • Post questions in the discussion board topic labeled "Ask Questions here" or email your instructor via BConline email.
Course Schedule
Read and refer to this document regularly. It will tell you what assignments you should complete, and how to complete them. (Even if you do not print out the entire syllabus, you are strongly encouraged to print and save this section)
The schedule below does not include due dates. Students enrolled in this online class will have due dates embedded in this schedule. An 8 week schedule will be very compressed, with something due almost every day. Other schedules will be a bit more leisurely, although there will be due dates at least once a week, likely even more often.
Unit 1 - Finding Oneself
Learning Outcomes
Date to Date
Learning Materials
Assignments & Assessments
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  • Write clearly and coherently about the search for individual identity amidst society’s pressures as well as the literary devices employed within this unit’s short stories.
  • Demonstrate critical comprehension of setting, characters, and key plot points presented.
  • Analyze plot structures, characterization, point of view, and symbolism as used in a variety of short stories
  • Contribute to a collaborative discussion of the major themes and ideas presented within the selected short stories, seeking to incorporate textual evidence where possible.
Read the Course Introduction and Syllabus found on our course homepage.
Read Lesson #1 (“Elements of the Short Story”) within the Course Lessons folder on our course homepage
Read the following short stories from your textbook (in this order):
  1. "The Kugelmass Episode" (online text) by Woody Allen
  2. Paul’s Case by Willa Cather
  3. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie
  4. A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor
  5. Battle Royal by Ralph Ellison
Read the related lessons within the Course Lessons folder only AFTER reading each of the individual stories.
  1. Post your self-introduction within the “Introduction” section of the discussion board Complete the Orientation Quiz
If you do not complete this quiz by the deadline, you will be withdrawn from this course.
  1. Complete the Quiz on Elements of the Short Story.
  2. Contribute one quality discussion post per story on “The Kugelmass Episode” and “Paul’s Case.” AND complete the quizzes on these stories.
  3. Contribute one quality discussion post per story on “The Lone Ranger…,” “A Good Man…,” and “Battle Royal.” AND complete the quizzes on these stories.
Unit 2 - Understanding Society
Learning Outcomes
Date to Date
Learning Materials
Assignments & Assessments
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  • Write clearly and coherently about the roles of religion, race, gender, and sexuality in shaping society’s expectations within this unit’s short stories.
  • Demonstrate critical comprehension of setting, characters, and key plot points presented.
  • Recognize, define, and discuss key literary terms and literary devices.
  • Analyze plot structures, characterization, point of view, and symbolism as used in a variety of short stories
  • Contribute to a collaborative discussion of the major themes and ideas presented within the selected short stories, seeking to incorporate textual evidence where possible.
Read the following short stories from your textbook (in this order):
  1. That Evening Sunby William Faulkner
  2. Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? by Joyce Carol Oates
  3. Handsby Sherwood Anderson
  4. The Lesson by Toni Cade Bambara
  5. A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Read the related lessons within the Course Lessons folder only AFTER reading each of the individual stories.
  1. Contribute one quality discussion post per story on “That Evening Sun” and “Where Are You Going…” AND complete the quizzes on these stories.
  2. Contribute one quality discussion post per story on “Hands” “The Lesson,” and “A Very Old Man…” AND complete the quizzes on these stories.
  3. Complete the Midterm Exam .
Unit 3 - The Human Mind
Learning Outcomes
Date to Date
Learning Materials
Assignments & Assessments
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  • Write clearly and coherently about the complexity of the human psyche and individual thought processes as well as the literary devices employed within this unit’s short stories.
  • Demonstrate critical comprehension of setting, characters, and key plot points presented.
  • Analyze plot structures, characterization, point of view, and symbolism as used in a variety of short stories
  • Contribute to a collaborative discussion of the major themes and ideas presented within the selected short stories, seeking to incorporate textual evidence where possible.
Read the following short stories from your textbook (in this order):
  1. Cathedral by Raymond Carver
  2. The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe
  3. The Open Boat by Stephen Crane
  4. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Read the related lessons within the Course Lessons folder only AFTER reading each of the individual stories.
  1. Contribute one quality discussion post per story on “Cathedral” and “The Fall of the House of Usher” AND complete the quizzes on these stories.
  2. Contribute one quality discussion post per story on “The Open Boat” and “Heart of Darkness” AND complete the quizzes on these stories.
Unit 4 - Love and Family
Learning Outcomes:
Date to Date
Learning Materials
Assignments & Assessments
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  • Write clearly and coherently about the interrelated themes of love, sex, and family as well as the literary devices employed within this unit’s short stories.
  • Demonstrate critical comprehension of setting, characters, and key plot points presented.
  • Analyze plot structures, characterization, point of view, and symbolism as used in a variety of short stories.
  • Contribute to a collaborative discussion of the major themes and ideas presented within the selected short stories, seeking to incorporate textual evidence where possible.
  • Identify high-quality research sources on selected authors and literary themes.
  • Compose a thesis-driven, properly documented (MLA format) research paper which incorporates multiple primary and secondary sources.
Read the following short stories from your textbook (in this order):
  1. The Red Convertible by Louise Erdrich
  2. Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin
  3. Hills Like White Elephants by Ernest Hemingway
  4. Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston
  5. Night Women by Edwidge Danticat
Read the related lessons within the Course Lessons folder only AFTER reading each of the individual stories.
Read the explanation of the Research Paper Assignment contained within Learning Unit #4. Also review the lessons in the “Writing Lessons” folder on the course homepage.
  1. Submit your Proposal for Research Paper.
  2. Extra Credit (5 points): Complete the Quiz on MLA Format & Plagiarism (based on the lessons/links in the “Writing Lessons” folder) .
  3. Contribute one quality discussion post per story on “The Red Convertible,” “Sonny’s Blues,” and “Hills Like White Elephants” AND complete the quizzes on these stories.
  4. Contribute one quality discussion post per story on “Sweat” and “Night Women” AND complete the quizzes on these stories.
  5. Submit the Research Paper. Please upload this to both the Assignments section of the course.
  6. Complete the Final Exam .
No late papers will be accepted.

Grading and Exam Policy
  • View your Grades
    • Online quiz and exam grades will be available AFTER the availability period has ended.
    • Grades for assignments will be posted within five BC working days of the closing date of the assignment.
    • Grades for discussion postings will be posted within five BC working days after the discussion has closed.
  • How your Grade will be Determined
Assessment
Graded Points
20 Quizzes (not including the Course Orientation Quiz)
105
Midterm Exam
100
Final Exam
100
19 Discussion Board Postings
190
Proposal for Research Paper
10
Research Paper
200
Total
705

Grading Scale
Grades
Percentage
Grade = A
90-100% (634.5 points and above)
Grade = B
80-89.9% (564 to 634)
Grade = C
70-79.9% (493.5 to 563)
Grade = D
60-69.9% (423 to 493)
Grade = F
59.9%-0.0% (422 or less)
Tutoring Services: The Writing Center is available to assist you in improving your grammar and other sentence-level skills. In addition, you may schedule an appointment with a tutor who will provide feedback on your drafts. On Central Campus, the Writing Center is located in the 2nd floor of the library. On South Campus, the Writing Center is located in bldg. 72.