Introduction to College Reading (Developmental Reading course)

West Virginia University at Parkersburg

Course Syllabus

Name of Course: Strategic Reading for College

Course No. READ 090

3 Credit Hours

Instructor: Tiffany S. Teofilo            Email: tiffany.teofilo@mail.wvu.edu

Catalog Description

READ 090. Strategic Reading for College 

3 credit hours

Students will develop strategies for reading, studying, and analyzing college material. Topics addressed: active reading process, text structure, style and purpose, vocabulary, critical thinking. (Graded: pass/fail.) (Prerequisite: Placement test.)

Textbooks (both are available in the bookstore)

Langan, J. Ten Steps to Improving College Reading Skills (4th ed). West Berlin, NJ:

Townsend Press, 2003.

Goodman, D. J., S. L. Nist, and C. Mohr. Improving Vocabulary Skills (3rd ed.).

West Berlin, NJ: Townsend Press, 1997.

Other Reading (to be provided in class)

 “The Body” by Stephen King

Grading Policy:

In order to pass the course, a student must demonstrate reading/study competencies on the final exam and earn at least a C (i.e., at least 76%) of the possible points for the course.

All assignments will be graded and your total score at the end of the semester will be out of 1000 points.  You must earn at least 760 points to earn a “pass” grade for this class.  Assignments and grading scale are outlined in the “Assignments” section of the syllabus.

Course Objectives

Students will demonstrate

A. use of vocabulary development strategies.

B. use of active reading strategies for literal, inferential, and critical comprehension and retention of information.

C. use of writing to learn.

D. use of metacomprehension to tailor reading/study strategies to various academic disciplines and purposes.

E. use of critical reading/thinking skills.

Special Projects to Be Included in Course

Vocabulary Development Projects

Reading/Study Applications

Two Short Essays to help enhance vocabulary and reading strategies

Methods of Student Evaluation

In-class tests that address course material as the semester progresses

Final in-class examination that addresses all course material

Quizzes, papers, in-class activities, brief oral presentations, computer laboratory

activities.

Grading and Assignments

This course will operate on a 1000 point scale with the following grade equivalencies:

1000-930 = A              929-850 = B                849-760 = C

All grades below 760 are failing grades in this course! (But with so many points available, don’t get discouraged if you do poorly on a few assignments, there will be opportunity to make up points in other ways)

Your in-class and take-home assignments, as well as your final and midterm exam will account for these 1000 points as follows:

Assignment	Description	Points (total)
Vocab Sentences	At home – type sentences using 4 vocab words from the current lesson	40 (10 each)
Mastery Quizzes	At home – type the answers to the Mastery tests from each section of Ten Steps (TS) as listed on the course schedule	220 (10 each)
Tests	3 in-class tests that will measure your knowledge of materials covered in class (dates: 9/15, 10/6, 11/10)	180 (60 each)
Midterm Paper	2-3 page paper using vocabulary from class.  See below for full assignment details. (due: 10/15)	100
Final Paper	4-5 page paper based on all textbook and in-class lessons and Stephen King’s “The Body” and Stand by Me.  See below for full assignment details. (due at 1pm on 12/15)	200
Final Exam	Test covering all course materials for full semester (at 1pm on Tuesday, 12/15)	200
Participation	All in-class activities, attendance, in-class discussion, group activities	60
TOTAL		1000

Assignment Policy:

All Mastery Quizzes, Vocab Sentences, and Papers must be typed in 12pt. Times New Roman Font, double-spaced, and printed on regular 8 ½ x 11” paper. 

Only in-class assignments may be handwritten.  I generally do not accept late assignments, but I am willing to work with you if you have extenuating circumstances.

Midterm Paper Guidelines:

The midterm paper will demonstrate your progress with vocabulary in the course. 

You will choose a topic of interest to you, such as a favorite movie or sport, a political issue, a bad habit that bothers you or your child’s favorite toy.  Any topic is fine, so long as it is not offensive or vulgar.

You will then write a 2-3 page paper, double-spaced and in Times New Roman 12pt. font, that uses at least 15 words from Improving Vocabulary Skills chapters 13-30.  All vocab words must be underlined in your paper.

Your grade will be based on 3 criteria: Proper use of the vocab words, good spelling and grammar, and clarity.  We will go over these criteria and read a sample essay on 10/8. 

Final Paper Guidelines:

The final paper will demonstrate your ability to write clearly based on the skills you have learned about reading throughout the semester.  If you can read well, you can write well – and all of you are off to a good start by being in this class. 

You will read “The Body” by Stephen King (distributed in class) and we will watch Stand by Me in class.  The King story is the inspiration for the film.

Your task will be to use at least 10 vocabulary words from IVS (all vocab words must be underlined) and write an essay that is 4-5 pages in length, double-spaced and in Times New Roman 12pt. font, that addresses one of three topics that I will present to you on 11/19. 

On 12/3 you will hand in a rough draft of your essay so that I can make comments that will help you turn in a better final paper.  The rough draft should be as close to a finished paper as possible, but if it is not 4-5 pages, you will not be penalized. 

Your final paper will be due at 1pm, before the final exam, on 12/15.

CLASS POLICIES AND STATEMENTS:

.

Attendance Policies

1. Students are expected to attend all classes except in cases of sickness, accident, or other situations of extreme urgency.

2. Students are expected to be punctual and prepared and to participate in class

activities.  Generally, late work will not be accepted.

3. When students are absent, they are responsible for attaining class materials and

notes.

4. The final course grade can be adversely affected by a record of excessive

absences. Such a record of absence from class may result in failure to pass the

course. “Excessive absences” is defined as any number of absences that exceeds

the number of class meetings that are scheduled in one week.

Available Support

If you are having difficulty in this course or others, a tutor may be available to give you assistance. Visit the Learning Assistance Center in Room 0404.

Professional counselors are available to assist you with either personal or academic problems. To arrange an appointment, visit the Student Advising Center in Room 1213 or call 424-8310.

Disability Statement

If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise me and make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Disability Services (424-8378).

Social Justice Statement

West Virginia University is committed to social justice. I concur with that commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color, or national origin. Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.

Diversity Statement

In conjunction with the Social Justice policy, one of the objectives of this course is to prepare students for a full and meaningful participation in a changing world.

This course will raise awareness of students to foster tolerance and acceptance of diversity of all persons regardless of race, ethnic background, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, color, national origin, veteran status or disability in the following ways:

Content – Critical reading/thinking develops the ability to view issues from multiple perspectives and to process information logically

Materials – reading selections represent multiple disciplines and explore complex issues (e.g. Japanese-American internment during WW II, conditions in Afghanistan, freedom of the press)

Methodology – students frequently work in small groups

Emergency Evacuation Statement

Upon activation of the building fire alarm, all building occupants must exit the building to

a position of safety away from the building. If you will require assistance during an emergency evacuation, please contact the instructor so that arrangements can be made in advance. All students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the locations of

emergency exits. Information concerning emergency exits is posted in the classrooms.

Learning Center Services

The Learning Center is located in room 0404 and services are offered to students free of charge, Monday through Friday. Peer tutoring is open for scheduled and group sessions as well as unscheduled drop-in sessions.  Students can visit the Learning Center's website for more information. http://www.wvup.edu/Learning_Center/ . 
 

Campus Safety

Upon activation of the building fire alarm, all building occupants must exit to a position of a minimum of 100 ft. safely away from the building. If you will require assistance during an emergency evacuation, please contact the instructor so that arrangements can be made in advance. All students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the locations of emergency exits. Information concerning emergency exits is posted by or in each classroom. Students and instructors should also be familiar with the Color Code System and the Emergency Call buttons (College Paging System) that are located in each room on the main campus. Information regarding the system and instructions for each individual emergency can be found in the Safety Plan, accessible only on campus through the college website or by contacting faculty, staff, or administration. Questions regarding safety can be directed to the safety committee through the campus safety website at http://www.wvup.edu/safety/. 

Last Day to Withdraw From Courses for Fall 2009 

Part of Term	Description	Begin Date	Registration Closes	Last Refund Date	Last Day to W/D	End Date
1	Full Term	24-Aug-09	28-Aug-09	2-Oct-09	13-Nov-09	18-Dec-09
I	Diverse	24-Aug-09	28-Aug-09	2-Oct-09	13-Nov-09	18-Dec-09
2	First Half Term	24-Aug-09	26-Aug-09	11-Sep-09	6-Oct-09	16-Oct-09
3	Second Half Term	19-Oct-09	21-Oct-09	6-Nov-09	8-Dec-09	18-Dec-09
4	First Five Weeks	24-Aug-09	25-Aug-09	4-Sep-09	18-Sep-09	25-Sep-09
5	Second Five Weeks	28-Sep-09	29-Sep-09	9-Oct-09	23-Oct-09	30-Oct-09
6	Third Five Weeks	2-Nov-09	3-Nov-09	13-Nov-09	4-Dec-09	11-Dec-09
10	Ten Week Session	5-Oct-09	8-Oct-09	29-Oct-09	4-Dec-09	18-Dec-09
L	Late Semester	31-Aug-09	4-Sep-09	8-Oct-09	16-Nov-09	18-Dec-09
Z	Nine Weeks - Saturdays	12-Sep-09	15-Sep-09	5-Oct-09	14-Oct-09	7-Nov-09
S	Special	24-Aug-09	27-Aug-09	17-Sep-09	16-Oct-09	30-Oct-09
E	Early Session	18-May-09	22-May-09	25-Jun-09	27-Jul-09	28-Aug-09
A	Late Session	7-Sep-09	11-Sep-09	13-Oct-09	30-Nov-09	18-Dec-09

Honor Code

As a member of the WVU Parkersburg community, students are asked to sign an honor code in which they commit to demonstrate honesty, integrity and civility through the mutual respect of:

• Classmates and faculty by maintaining honesty in all academic work and refraining from cheating.
• Community and peers by maintaining integrity and honesty in the activities of daily life.
• Faculty, staff and members of the administration by maintaining civility and refraining from disruptive and abusive language and behavior.

WorkKeys (Applies to students in the AAS degree programs)

In addition to the courses required to complete your AAS degree program, the Higher Education Policy Commission requires that you take the WorkKeys Assessment exam in order to graduate from West Virginia University at Parkersburg. This exam is a measure of critical job skills acquired in your program of study. At the time you apply for graduation you will be notified of the times and dates for the exam. You will need to allow approximately three (3) hours to take the exam. WVU Parkersburg will pay the cost of the exam. Calculators will be allowed for the mathematics portion of the exam.