LAMAR STATE COLLEGE ORANGE SYLLABUS

Learning Center

DIRW, 0400, Dev. Reading and Writing, 83F

COURSE INFORMATION

Instructor Name Raul Martin
Building/Office Number Ron Lewis Library Building (RLB), Room 203C
Office Hours M-F 10am to 4pm (Gator Success Center) 
Virtual Hours Virtual appointments available upon request
Office Telephone (409) 883-7750
Email Address Raul.Martin@lsco.edu


Course Description

DIRW 0400 4-4-0 Integrated Reading/Writing Integration of critical reading and academic writing skills. This course fulfills TSI requirements for reading and/or writing. CP.


Required Textbook & Materials
Cengage. MindTap Accelerate: Inegrated Reading and Writing. Cengage, 1st Ed. 2020.
 
  1. How to Register for Mindtap in Blackboard
 
  1. Cengage Read lets you study whenever and wherever you want with online and offline mobile access to your eTextbook. Download Cengage Read for free:  Download on the App Store  Get it on Google Play
 
Should you decide to opt-out of the Gator Book Pack, click here for instructions to purchase digital access to MindTap Accelerate: Integrated Reading and Writing ($56).


Upon registration for classes, LSCO students are automatically charged $14 per semester credit hour for access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, lab codes, and electronic books on the first day of class through the Gator Book Pack. Information about the LSCO Gator Book Pack as well as responses to common FAQs can be found on LSCO's webpage. ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE UNTIL THE SECOND DAY OF THE SEMESTER TO OPT-OUT OF THE GATOR BOOK PACK.

Every student MUST have access to the required textbooks by the week of class. The student will be responsible for all assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.


Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire the following course learning outcomes:

Core Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Program-Level Outcomes (PLO)
PLO1 Demonstrate proficiency in fundamental reading and writing comprehension skills.
PL02 Develop and demonstrate progress in specific skills and competencies needed in future classes.

Course-Level Outcomes (CLO)

1. Locate explicit textual information, draw complex inferences, and describe, analyze, and evaluate the information within and across multiple texts of varying lengths.
2. Comprehend and use vocabulary effectively in oral communication, reading, and writing.
3. Identify and analyze the audience, purpose, and message across a variety of texts.
4. Describe and apply insights gained from reading and writing a variety of texts.
5. Compose a variety of texts that demonstrate reading comprehension, clear focus, logical development of ideas, and use of appropriate language that advance the writer’s purpose.
6. Determine and use effective approaches and rhetorical strategies for given reading and writing situations.
7. Generate ideas and gather information relevant to the topic and purpose, incorporating the ideas and words of other writers in student writing using established strategies.
8. Evaluate relevance and quality of ideas and information in recognizing, formulating, and developing a claim.
9. Develop and use effective reading and revision strategies to strengthen the writer’s ability to compose college-level writing assignments.
10. Recognize and apply the conventions of standard English in reading and writing.
 
Week/Module/Unit-level Outcomes
LO1.1 Navigate this Blackboard Course (CLO1)
LO1.2 Identify key sections of the Syllabus (CLO2)
LO1.3 Discuss why reading is important to you (CLO 2, CLO 7)
LO2.1 Classify active reading strategies (CLO2, CLO 4, CLO 7, CLO 10).
LO2.2 Appraise and compare prewriting strategies (CLO 2, CLO 4, CLO 7).
LO2.3 Read and evaluate a poem using active reading strategies (CLO 1, CLO 2, CLO 4, CLO 5,      CLO 9).
LO3.1 Identify parts of a paragraph (CLO2, CLO4).
LO3.2 Evaluate paragraphs to discern main idea (CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4, CLO5,CLO8,CLO10).
LO3.3 Craft a paragraph with a clear main idea (CLO2, CLO4, CLO6, CLO7, CLO10)
LO3.4 Generate a main idea of some other media form (CLO1, CLO2, CLO7)
LO4.1 Survey and identify several outlining strategies (CLO6, CLO8)
LO4.2 Write an argumentative paragraph (CLO2, CLO5, CLO 7, CLO8, CLO10).
LO5.1 Select appropriate strategies for writing effective essay components (CLO5, CLO10)
LO5.2 Identify outline strategies for completeness, cohesiveness, and coherence (CLO1, CLO3, CLO5, CLO7, CLO8)
LO5.3 Survey plagiarism and its impacts to academic writing (CLO1, CLO3, CLO7)
LO6.1 Select appropriate strategies for proofreading, editing, and revising your writing (CLO4,    CLO6, CLO7)
LO6.2 Identify revision strategies for completeness, cohesiveness, and coherance (CLO2, CLO5, CLO9)
LO7.1 Categorize critical reading and writing strategies (CLO8, CLO9)
LO7.2 Review elements of voice in writing (CLO2, CLO10)
LO7.3 Reflect on how your editing process has changed in the course thus far (CLO2, CLO5)
LO8.1 Demonstrate an objective understanding of written communication (CLO2, CLO10)
LO8.2 Deconstruct an article into its component parts (CLO1, CLO4, CLO6, CLO8)
LO8.3 Write an analytical essay to assess the article and offer your own perspective (CLO2, CLO4, CLO5)
 




Course Topical Outline

Week One Why is reading important to you?
Week Two Active reading
Week Three Main Idea
Week Four What is an argument?
Week Five How to organize an essay
Week Six Editing, proofreading, and revising
Week Seven Critical reading and writing
Week Eight Signature assignment




Major Assignments Schedule

Week 1 – Why is reading important to you? 8/21 to 8/27  (Please, submit work by midnight Sunday, 8/27)
Week 2 – Active Reading 8/28 to 9/3  (Please, submit work by midnight Sunday, 9/3)
Week 3 – Main Idea 9/4 to 9/10  (Please, submit work by midnight Sunday, 9/10)
Week 4 – What is an argument? 9/11 to 9/17 (Please, submit work by midnight Sunday, 9/17)
Week 5 - How do I organize an essay? 9/18 to 9/24  (Please, submit work by midnight Sunday, 9/24)
Week 6 – Editing, Proofreading, and Revising 9/25 to 10/1  (Please, submit work by midnight Sunday, 10/1
Week 7 – Critical Reading and Writing 10/2 to 10/8 (Please, submit work by midnight Sunday, 10/8)
Week 8 – Signature Assignment 10/9 to 10/15  (Please, submit work by midnight Tuesday, 10/15)
Note: Final Exam Period October 11, 2023 to October 15, 2023. Grades due at NOON October 16, 2023.




Final Exam Date

October 11, 2023 - 12:00 AM   Through  October 15, 2023 - 11:59 PM


COURSE POLICIES

Academic Honesty

Faculty who suspect violation of academic honesty, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or abuse of resource materials may assign an academic penalty. Students must be notified of their right to appeal before the academic penalty is imposed.

Students subject to penalty due to academic honesty have the right to appeal the decision. Refer to the current LSCO Catalog for details on the appeal process.
Faculty who suspect violation of academic honesty, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or abuse of resource materials may assign an academic penalty. Students must be notified of their right to appeal before the academic penalty is imposed.
Students subject to penalty due to academic honesty have the right to appeal the decision. Refer to the current LSCO Catalog for details on the appeal process.




Electronic Communication

LSCO students are required to use either their LSCO Blackboard account or their LSCO email account (Office 365 / Microsoft Outlook) for all electronic communication. In order to ensure the privacy and identity of the student communicating via electronic methods, LSCO faculty will direct students to use their LSCO email accounts rather than personal accounts. If a student has trouble accessing their LSCO email account, they should contact the LSCO Help Desk at (409) 882-3033 or helpdesk@lsco.edu.

I will answer your e-mail promptly (which is not to say immediately). Expect a response within 24 hours on weekdays. In addition, I am open to student questions and concerns, and promise to be flexible when considering proposed amendments and objections to our reading, syllabus, schedule, etc.




Attendance Requirements

Federal regulations require students who receive financial aid to have begun "attending" and participate substantially in each course for which they are enrolled on or before the official census reporting date outlined on the LSCO Academic Calendar. Students documented as "not attending" a course upon the census date are assumed (for financial aid purposes) to have not begun attendance for that course, negatively affecting their financial aid eligibility and disbursement.

Attendance in an ONLINE course is verified by substantial participation in the course on or before the census date published in the LSCO Academic Calendar. Substantial participation in this online course is defined as logging in and completing/participating in at least one requirement of the course. Note: Simply logging in to your online course does not constitute attendance.

Hybrid classes are a mix of face-to-face and online environments. Students will be expected to attend a certain number of classes as required by the instructor. (Include the policy on absences and tardiness.) In addition to classroom attendance, your weekly active participation in the online component (Blackboard and/or homework software) will be considered and expected.

I have set aside three hours per week solely to meet with students, and will be in my office during those hours awaiting you. In addition, I am (almost) always available via e-mail, or by appointment, if you would like to be in touch during non-office hours. In addition, I am in the Gator Success Center during regular business hours (M-F 8am to 5pm). 




Make-up Work Policy

Every Unit Quiz and final exam (assignments) will be due the day they are due. Students may turn in assignments late; however, any assignment handed in late will be graded so long as you have emailed me within 48 hours before or after the due date. Life can be hectic, so I encourage students to talk to me if they miss a due date. Email me or call my office within 48 hours of the due date (before or after), and we will find a reasonable extension. A reasonable extension is defined as an electronic or hard copy submission within the week after the due date has passed. For instance, if you miss work on the first week of class, you have until the end of the second week to turn it in. Open communication with your instructor is key. Contact me at rmartin1@lsco.eduor 409-882-3934. If students do not reach out, any assignment handed in late will be subject to a grade penalty of 2 points per day it’s overdue with a maximum of 10 points (or 5 days). Any assignment turned in after 5 days, without notice, will not be graded.

I will return graded material according to reasonable timeframe and evaluate that work according to its merit and not its creator. I will strive to create assignments and rubrics that are not flighty or harsh, but instead constructive, not only to the learning outcomes of this class but also to your future life and education.




Classroom Etiquette

In my pedagogy, I will be straightforward and honest with students, offering a legitimate reason for delays and alterations to the syllabus, assignment, or schedule. I will be professional and cordial in personal interactions; I will not embarrass or disparage you on discussion forums and in-person. I will be positive and encourage students, as I would like to commend you for what you know, not penalize you for what you do not.


Exam Policy

All classwork, quizzes, and exams will be submitted through Blackboard. 




Expected Time Requirement for this Course

For every hour in class (or unit of credit) taught in a 16-week session, students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. Example: For a 3-credit hour class taught in a 16-week session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 6 to 9 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in a 10-week summer session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 10 to 15 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in an 8-week session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 12 to 18 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in a 5-week summer session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 20 to 29 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments.


Grading and Evaluation Method

Weighted Assignments: 
                      Discussions 5 @ 25pts each,                          125     
                      Unit Quizzes 6 @ 100 pts. each,                     600
                      Syllabus Quiz 1 @ 10 pts. each,                     10
                      Signature Assignment                                     185
                                                            Total                            920


Extra Credit Breakdown:             
                      Drop IN Sessions 2 @ 25 pts each,                 50       
                      Practice Questions 16 @ 10 pts. each,           160
                      Video Quizzes 16 @ 10 pts. each,                  160
                      Mid-Term Practice Exam                                  25
                                                            Total                            395



Instructor Response Time

The instructor will respond to emails within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. On weekends and holidays, the instructor will respond to emails from students within 24 hours of the first business day following the weekend or holiday.


Participation Requirements

Weekly participation and engagement in the course is important for student success. Students are expected to spend three hours a week reviewing course work and additional hours completing the assignments. Because this is an online course, the online discussion boards should mimic in person discussion. These discussions are meant to stimulate thinking on the topics covered each week. As students in this course, you have 105 points available to you on these discussion boards throughout the semester. Post early and post often. I will be monitoring these boards, as they are a means to communicate with you directly and provoke your thinking on the topics at hand. Assignments(quizzes and final essay) should be completed by the due date.
I will return graded material according to reasonable timeframe and evaluate that work according to its merit and not its creator. I will strive to create assignments and rubrics that are not flighty or harsh, but instead constructive, not only to the learning outcomes of this class but also to your future life and education.




Review of Test Grades

If the student has an issue with his/her grade, the instructor must be contacted no later than three (3) days after receiving the grade. As a reminder, if you are within .5 of the next higher grades I will round up, so no need to send pleas in that regard. This is not an invitation for grade-grubbing, by the way, and those attempts will be ineffectual, not that that does much to deter students. I wish that everyone could receive the grade they feel they deserve, but the only fair standard is the number of points that have been earned across the semester and recorded in the grade book.




Student's Responsibility

This syllabus contains information, policies, and procedures for a specific course. By enrolling, the student agrees to read, understand, and abide by the rules, policies, regulations, and ethical standards of Lamar State College Orange as those contained in the current LSCO Catalog and schedule of classes.


Syllabus Content

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus if deemed necessary. All changes will be provided to the students orally or in writing before the implementation of the change.


Textbook and Required Materials Access

Every student MUST have access to the required textbooks by the second week of class. The student will be responsible for all assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.


STUDENT SUPPORT RESOURCES

Advocacy Information

Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance in the course is encouraged to contact the advising office for guidance on how to identify possible resources. Please notify the instructor of your circumstance if you are comfortable doing so.


Affirmative Action

LSCO is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution which provides educational and employment opportunities on the basis of merit and without discrimination or harassment in full compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 503,504); Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; the Vietnam Era Veterans Assistance Act of 1974; Article 522lk V.A.C.S.; and Executive Orders 11246 and 11758.


Title IX of the Education Amendments

LSCO prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation, against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Any student who believes that he or she has experienced prohibited conduct or believes that another student has experienced prohibited conduct should immediately report the alleged acts to the Title IX Coordinator, Patty Collins, at patty.collins@lsco.edu.


Blackboard Resources

LSCO students will access Blackboard through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: username@my.lsco.edu and Password. For help in identifying your Username/Password, visit https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/.

Blackboard student resource videos and help-sites are available at https://www.lsco.edu/distanceed/blackboard-student.asp.


Career Coach

Lamar State College Orange provides career advising services to all students and alumni through Career Coach, an online career planning tool. Career Coach assists students through all phases of developing, initiating, and implementing career plans.

Information regarding employment opportunities and career options are provided along with access to live local job postings. Full-time and part-time employment opportunities, as well as internships, are available through Career Coach. Visit https://www.lsco.edu/advising/career-planning.asp for more details on how to use LSCO's Career Coach to plan for and learn more about your future career.


Gator Assistance Services

Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled technical students support for daycare costs as well as other services.

Visit https://www.lsco.edu/advising/gator-assistance.asp for details on assistance services.


Gator Success Center

Students are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to receive tutoring, support services, or access to an open computer lab. Face-to-face and online supplemental instruction sessions are available to help students through any LSCO course. Reach out to learning.center@lsco.edu for more information on how students can receive academic support.


Library Services

Students are encouraged to visit library.lsco.edu to find the library's current operating hours, access the catalog to locate print materials, and access GatorSearch to explore the vast electronic collection. The library provides over 77 electronic database collections that include eBooks, newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and streaming video. The physical library contains a specialized collection of research materials specifically chosen to support the degrees and courses offered. Additionally, Students with research questions or questions about library services are encouraged visit the library in person, call 409-882-3352, access the chat on the library webpage, or to email their question to lscolibrary@lsco.edu.


Student with Disabilities

Under the Texas State System, Lamar State College Orange complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids for students with disability. We strive to provide reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids to students who request and require them.

Students who believe they have a disability requiring an academic adjustment/auxiliary aid are encouraged to contact the Special Populations Advisor at (409) 882-3393 or visiting the Advising Office located on the first floor of the Ron Lewis Library Building (RLB) room 113. Students are encouraged to apply before the start of the semester when at all possible. The Accommodation Request Form and details regarding the appropriate documentation needed can be found here: https://www.lsco.edu/advising/disability.asp. Once approved, the signed accommodation form provided by the Special Populations Advisor must be submitted to the instructor at least two business days in advance of need.


Upswing 24/7 FREE Tutoring Services

Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students with access to online tutoring through a partnership with Upswing, an online tutoring platform. Tutors are available 24/7 online in almost every subject.

Visit https://www.lsco.edu/tutoring/online-tutoring.asp for details on how to log-in to the FREE services.


INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES

Campus Closure

In the event of an emergency campus closure in excess of three class days, Lamar State College Orange's classes will continue via the use of Blackboard. In such an instance, the college website, www.lsco.edu, will have information concerning the event and anticipated re-opening plans.


Civility

Please be considerate of other classmates' feelings, ethnic background, cultural differences, situations, and level of maturity. Students will be asked to leave the course if disruptive or inappropriate behavior is exhibited in any of the course requirements. If your instructor feels that you have not contributed appropriately to course requirements, your final course grade may be reduced accordingly.

The instructor reserves the right to manage a positive learning environment and will not tolerate inappropriate conduct in the course. Rude correspondence (discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way) in e-mails, telephone calls, in person, or comments made to other class members, the instructor, or the office staff.


Contingency Plans

Students should develop a backup plan should their computer system or their Internet provider fail. Computer or internet connectivity issues are not valid excuses for missing a deadline. The College provides many opportunities for using computer equipment, as do many public libraries. Refer to the LSCO website for operational hours of the Library and Success Center.


COVID Notification Policy

Students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 are required to report their condition to their instructor and to the College via the COVID Notification Form. Guidance on how to proceed will be delivered to the student's email after completing the required notification form.


Credit Transfer

Students should check in advance with the institution to which they plan to transfer credit to confirm transferability.


Criminal Background Policy

LSCO awards some certificates and degrees in which a criminal history MAY disqualify candidates from becoming licensed, certified, and/or employed upon degree/certificate completion. Students with a criminal background enrolling in courses leading to a degree/certificate in Criminal Justice, Cosmetology, Emergency Medical Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Vocational Nursing (VN), Registered Nursing (RN), Pharmacy Technician, Real Estate, or Teacher Preparation program are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to discuss the certification and/or licensing regulations of the program with the program director listed in order to learn more about the current guidelines related to criminal history as well as the right of individuals to request a criminal history evaluation letter.


Drops and Withdrawals

Never attending or ceasing to attend classes DOES NOT constitute a drop or withdrawal. You remain registered until you request a drop from the instructor. Failure to act in a timely manner will result in an "F" grade for the course. It is the student's responsibility to follow up with the LSCO advising office to ensure that all drops/withdrawals are processed as desired.


Grade of "Incomplete"

The grade of "I" may be given when any requirement of the course, including the final examination, is not completed. Students seeking an incomplete should have completed 75% of the course requirements and be passing the course at the time of the request. Arrangements to complete deficiencies in a course should be made in advance of the end of the semester with the instructor. The instructor will process the Incomplete form online, and a confirmation will be sent to the student's LSCO email.

Incomplete work must be finished during the next long semester. If not, the Office of Admission and Records must change the "I" grade to the grade of "F." The course must then be repeated if credit is desired. An "I" grade also automatically becomes an "F" if the student registers for the course prior to removing the deficiencies and receiving a grade change. The instructor may record the grade of "F" for a student who is absent from the final examination and is not passing the course.


Grade Appeals and the Academic Grievance Process

Grade determination and awarding of grades in a course are the responsibility of the instructor and should be calculated according to college policy, procedures, and written details provided in the course syllabus. NOTE: Final grades are available to students within 48 hours of the instructor posting the grade in Banner. Students may view final grades by logging into MyGator and then accessing Gator Self-Service.

An academic appeal process is afforded to students who desire to dispute a grade or any decision that affects the student's ability to complete and earn a grade for the course provided it is not related to a violation outlined in the LSCO Student Code of Conduct. If an informal conference with the faculty member regarding an academic complaint fails to reach the outcome requested by the student, the student may initiate the formal process outlined below. Even after initiating the formal complaint process, students are encouraged to seek informal resolution of their concerns. A student whose concerns are resolved may withdraw a formal complaint at any time.

Refer to the current catalog or for details on the formal grade appeal process.


Institutional Educational Goals

Lamar State College Orange has identified seven educational goals to specify the knowledge and skills that students should gain from completing academic and technical programs with the College. These goals are:

  1. Critical thinking (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.
  2. Communication (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to effectively develop, interpret and express of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
  3. Empirical and quantitative skills (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts and create informed conclusions.
  4. Teamwork (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
  5. Social responsibility (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to recognize and acquire a sense of intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities.
  6. Personal responsibility (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
  7. Professional competency (Technical) - Students will be able to recognize or demonstrate skills and that depict professional values and employability. If the career has licensure or certification requirements, students may prepare for the licensure and certification in a capstone course and sit for the licensure or certificate at the end of the program.

MyGator and Log-In Credentials

Current students will access many LSCO applications through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: username@my.lsco.edu/Password. For help in identifying your username/Password, visit https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/.

It is a violation of College policy, state laws, and federal laws for anyone to gain or help others gain unauthorized access to MyGator or any LSCO application or service. All accounts shall be for use by a single individual - the person for whom the account was approved or assigned. This includes Blackboard accounts as well as any application within MyGator. Sharing or loaning accounts is strictly prohibited, can be construed as a form of cheating, and violates College policy, state laws, and federal laws.


Policies and Procedures

LSCO adheres to the policies and procedures established in the Texas Education Code, Texas State University System Rules and Regulations, LSCO Faculty Handbook, LSCO Student Handbook, and LSCO Catalog.


Prohibited Items in the Classroom

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. It is inappropriate for minor children to be on campus due to the potential liability to the College, the risk of harm to the children, and decreased employee productivity due to distractions and disruptions.


Student Privacy

The privacy of all students, including Distance Education students, is protected through strict adherence to the rules of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. LSCO's statement regarding the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act can be found in LSCO's Student Handbook, page 70. Additional information regarding privacy for Distance Education students can be found in the Distance Education Handbook, appendix D.