Syllabus

English I

This is the introductory freshman level course in the secondary language arts program.  This course is designed to introduce and prepare students for the next level of the language arts curriculum.  Although students will cover the various genres of  English, greater emphasis will be placed on various forms of writing.  Students will compose persuasive essays, expositions, and a variety of formal and informal writings.  Focus will be placed on correct format in writing and grammar will be covered thoroughly as it is incorporated in the writing process. All students will be expected to complete a formal research paper.  Students will also be responsible for vocabulary assignments and assessed through vocabulary quizzes. The desired outcome is to see an improvement in all aspects of writing and correct grammar usage.  Writing will not improve if students do not have a strong command of correct grammar usage.  Emphasis on sentence structure, correct grammar usage, and familiarity with the various forms of formal and informal writings will allow students to progress to the next level of the language arts program.

The textbook used in this class is:  Holt McDougal Literature Grade 9, 2012 ed.

 

LAL 101:  Composition 1

This course teaches process writing, from pre-writing to revision.  Focus is on reading and critical thinking, essay writing, and literary analysis.  Course provides practice in computer-assisted writing and oral communication.

Purpose of course:  In this class we will read critically, write effectively, and discuss intelligently.

Course Objectives:

       1.  Demonstrate critical and analytical thinking for reading, writing, and speaking.

• Participate in active reading and discussion of a variety of texts.
• Incorporate ideas and information from readings into own writing.
• Identify purpose, main idea, and supporting evidence.
• Distinguish between fact and opinion and recognize textual biases.
• Distinguish between general and specific information.
• Summarize and paraphrase information.
• Communicate effectively in groups by listening, reflecting, and responding appropriately.
• Formulate diagnostic questions for resolving issues and identify possible solutions.

       2.  Develop and employ a wide-ranging vocabulary.

       3.  Compose sound and effective sentences.

• Use a variety of sentence structures correctly.
• Understand and employ subordination and coordination to express ideas.
• Avoid major sentence-level errors such as fragments, comma splices, fused sentences, etc.
• Communicate with few errors in grammar, usage, diction, and mechanics.

       4.  Compose unified, coherent, developed paragraphs.

• Write focused topic sentences.
• Maintain focus and unity of paragraph.
• Use details, examples, and facts to develop the paragraph’s main idea.
• Use transitional devices.

       5.  Understand and use a recursive writing process to develop strategies for generating, revising, editing, and proofreading texts.

       6.  Produce rhetorically effective discourse for subject, audience, and purpose.

• Organize a logically structured essay that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• Develop an essay’s controlling idea (thesis or claim) with a balance of generalizations and adequate specific, illustrative details.
• Use transitional devices to achieve coherency, unity, and focus.

Course Content:

   I.  Self-expressive writing

 II.  Informative writing

III.  Argumentation

 IV.  Cultural analysis

   V.  Literary analysis

 VI.  Synthesis

Text:  The Conscious Reader

Author:  Scrodes

Publisher:  Pearson

Text:  The Little Brown Compact Handbook

Author:  Aaron

Publisher:  Pearson

Other required Materials:  Notebook, Flashdrive.

 

Public Speaking

Purpose of Course:  Public Speaking will help students develop effective oral communication skills.  Students will develop analytical and critical thinking, listening, and writing skills by writing and presenting speeches, critiquing speeches and studying the communication process.

Course Objectives:  Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain the communication process as it occurs in a specific context;
• Identify elements of ethical speaking;
• Identify levels of  listening and ways to improve listening skills;
• Analyze an audience and relate a speech topic to that audience;
• Write an appropriate goal and thesis for a speech;
• Write an effective introduction and conclusion;
• Demonstrate basic skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing;
• Demonstrate effective delivery techniques;
• Organize and support a persuasive argument;
• Demonstrate effective use of visual aids;
• Write college-level English.

Course Content:

1. The Communication Process
2. Ethical Speaking
3. Effective Listening
4. Effective Delivery
5. Analyzing the Audience
6.  Writing an effective goal and thesis
7. Organizing you Speech
8. Using visual aids
9. Preparing an informative speech
10. Using supporting materials
11. Persuasive techniques

Text:  Art of Public Speaking

Author:  Lucas

Edition:  10th Edition 2009

Publisher:  McGraw Hill