Syllabi for Irwin
Developmental Reading 1
DEVELOPMENTAL READING 1
Spring 2014
Course Syllabus-All Sections
"Reading furnishes the mind only with materials for knowledge;
it is thinking that makes what we read ours.”—John Locke
Instructor: Carin Irwin
Appointments: If you need to schedule a meeting you may contact me via e- mail to set up an appointment or see me after class.
E-mail cirwin3@atlas.valenciacc.edu
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Text - Reading For Life Fennessy, Corinne
A college level dictionary
Scantron-Form 882-ES (1 package)
1 Three Ring Binder
1 Two Pocket Lab Folder
THESE TEXTS ARE WORKBOOKS; PURCHASE UNMARKED COPIES.
Read this syllabus carefully. It is a contract; by accepting the syllabus, you agree to meet its requirements. If you have any disabilities or special requirements, please let me know as soon as possible. This information will be kept in strict confidence.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
REA 0001 develops reading and thinking skills that are necessary for success in college classes. This course will emphasize critical (inferential), rather than literal, reading skills. Due to the emphasis on critical comprehension, this course is as much a course in thinking as it is in reading.
Reading is a skill--a means rather than an end--and like all skills, practice is
necessary to achieve mastery. Thus, three hours of classroom instruction plus
lab support are requirements for successful completion of this course. Students are also expected to read extensively outside of lab and class. This course reinforces the following Valencia graduate competencies:
Think clearly, critically, and creatively. Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate in many domains of human inquiry.
Communicate with different audiences using varied and appropriate methods (oral, written, visual/graphic, non-verbal).
Make reasoned value judgments and responsible commitments.
Act purposefully, reflectively, and responsibly in the context of adult life (personal, professional, community).
CLASP READING SKILLS AND VALENCIA STUDENT OUTCOMES
The assignments covered in this course introduce or reinforce the following
CLASP Reading Skills:
Literal Comprehension Skills
Recognize main ideas
Identify supporting details
Determine meaning of words
Critical Comprehension Skills
Recognize author's purpose
Identify author's overall organizational pattern
Recognize relationships between sentences
Recognize relationships within sentences
Distinguish between fact and opinion
Make inferences and draw conclusions
READING SKILLS GOALS
Become an independent, active reader
Develop "successful student" behaviors that will also help you in other classes
Effectively manage your time (which also means your homework will be expected on time!)
Efficiently read textbooks
Improve test taking skills
Increase your vocabulary
Become a critical thinker and reader
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is required in class. You are expected to attend all sessions regularly, be on time, and complete all assigned work. Class attendance and participation are significant factors that promote college success.
Students are allowed to miss the equivalent of one week's worth of class. . Thus, a student in a class that meets two times per week would be allowed two absences.
Excessive absences will negatively affect your grade in this course. If you are more than 15 minutes tardy, you will be counted as being absent for the purpose of computing the attendance and in class assignment portions of your grade.
If you do not exceed the number of allowable absences stipulated above, you will get a 100% for the attendance portion of your grade.
If you reach or exceed the allowable number of absences, the following scores will be given for attendance.
# of absences Score
2 100%
3 50%
4 0%
5 You WILL be withdrawn from this course by your instructor.
Absences are defined as missing a class period for any reason (including, but not limited to tardiness, illness, hospitalization, death in the family, out-of-town travel, and religious holidays). If you are absent, you cannot learn.
(Hint: If you have extenuating circumstances, the best strategy is to get in touch with me immediately.)
If you receive a “W” because of excessive absences, you must register for this course again next session.
After the withdrawal deadline date has passed ,your transcripts will be posted with a (WP) withdrawn passing or a (WF) withdrawn failing designator .
CLASSROOM PROTOCOL
I expect that students will be on time for class and will be prepared for class. Those arriving late will be responsible for obtaining all assignments and/or information given to the class prior to their arrival.
If you are absent the day an assignment is given, the due date will not be extended. Unless notified, we will be following the class schedule that you have received with this syllabus. If in doubt, refer to this schedule when you are absent. Check your ATLAS e-mail regularly.
Cellular phones and pagers must be turned off during class and lab. If you are found to be using your phone during class you will receive a “0” grade for that day . This would include all in class assignments completed that day .
No food should be brought into classrooms or any computer labs.
Classroom disruptions will not be tolerated. Side discussions while the professor is talking and personal discussions during collaborative and cooperative group activities are considered disruptions.
Students ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SLEEP in class. If you sleep, your instructor will wake you up and ask you to leave. That day will count as an absence.
NOTE: You are allowed three attempts to successfully complete each of the two college-prep reading courses (REA 0001 and 0002). An attempt means signing up for and attending class past the withdrawal deadline listed in the VCC catalog. If you withdraw or if your instructor withdraws you after that date, you will have used up an attempt. If you do not complete the course successfully (i.e., if you earn an F in either REA 0001 or 0002) in any one try, that will constitute an attempt. In accordance with Sections 239.117, 239.301, and 240.117, Florida Statutes, students enrolled in the same college-preparatory course more than one time shall pay the full cost of instruction. Students shall pay l00% of the full cost of instruction beyond the first attempt, except in approved cases of extenuating circumstances.
GRADING POLICY
A = 90 to 100%
B = 80 to 89%
C = 70 to 79%
D = 60 to 69%
F = 0 to 59%
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
Please note that NO assignments will be accepted late.
If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what was missed . Other students in the class are a good source of information; it may be beneficial to get the phone numbers of a few students.
If you plan to be absent on the day an assignment is due, you may elect to turn it in before the due date. You may also arrange to have your assignment delivered or e-mailed before your class meets on the day it is due.
If these procedures are not followed, you will receive a "0" grade for that assignment.
The lowest assignment score in the assignment and test category will be dropped.
LAB ASSIGNMENTS
Lab work will be turned in at the beginning of the class period . Labs turned in after class meets on the day they are due will have 10% of the total available points deducted.
Lab work turned in past the day it is due will have 20% deducted for each weekday (not just each day class meets) it is late, excluding weekends.
EXAMS & QUIZZES
If you miss an exam, it must be made up in the testing center (7-219) before the next class meets. You must bring your Valencia ID and a green scantron in order to take the exam. Failure to do so will result in a grade of “0” for that exam. No exceptions.
You are not allowed to make up quizzes given at the beginning of class. Therefore be on time !
STUDENT ETHICS
You are expected to abide by the college policy as stated in the catalog.
If you are caught cheating on assignments, tests, or lab assignments, whether in class or in lab, you will receive a grade of "0", which cannot be made up.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME
Structure , organization and preparation
Encouragement, support, and understanding
Clear communication
Willingness to learn from you
Respect
DISCLAIMER
Course policies and procedures may be changed at the discretion of the instructor.
"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation,
hard work, and learning from failure."--Colin Powell