ESL 312: Introduction to the Essay

Fall 2024
ESL 312-101 Reg ID: 122555
Class meets twice a week on Monday and Wednesday, 6:15-8:35PM on Zoom.
Zoom link for this class: https://sjeccd-edu.zoom.us/j/85890706897
Start and End Dates: 8/26/2024—12/12/2024

Instructor Information
Name: Christopher Howe
E-mail: [email protected] or through Canvas Inbox
Office Location: GE 206 G (or classroom if available)
Office Hours: Tuesdays: 6:00 – 7:30PM
Thursdays: 3:30 – 5:00PM
Wednesdays and Fridays: 2:00 – 3:00PM or by appointment (if needed)

Welcome to our ESL 312 class!

One of my main goals as your instructor is to assist you in becoming a better writer. While doing this, I will
help you learn to respond to advice about your own writing as well as give advice to your peers.

Course Information
Units: 5.00
Catalog Description: ESL 312 is a high-intermediate writing course for non-native speakers of English
three levels below English 1A. Students will read and write multiple-paragraph compositions with the
depth and complexity of high-intermediate academic texts. They will expand their study of well-written
paragraphs to include short essays on academic topics. They will acquire grammar, writing, revision,
and editing skills for college-level academic work.
Course Pre-requisites: ESL 322 or ESL 522 and ESL 323 or ESL 523 and ESL 324 or ESL 524 Placement
based on assessment.
Course Co-requisites: Concurrent enrollment in ESL 312L is required for computer-assisted grammar
and writing practice with lab assistance.

Required Course Materials

1. This is a Zero Textbook Cost Course!! However, we will be using an Open Education Resource
Textbook titled: College ESL Writers: Applied Grammar and Composing Strategies for Success
2. Daily access to the Internet, Zoom, Canvas, and your College Email.
3. Laptop/desktop computer/Chromebook or mobile device capable of accessing the Internet (if
needed see Canvas Computer Specifications)
4. A dictionary (I highly recommend Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English or Merriam-
Webster – good free online dictionaries!)
5. Access to Microsoft Word and a PDF reader, like Adobe Reader
6. A USB flash drive or some online file storage system (such as Google Drive) to save your work
for this class

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*If you do not own a computer and/or have access to the Internet, please plan and arrange to borrow
one or use one in the ESL Lab or Learning Resource Center (LRC) accordingly.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
A. Plan and compose expository essays of at least four paragraphs with high-intermediate
proficiency.
B. Use transitions and other signal words to achieve coherence and clarity within the structure of
the essay.
C. Demonstrate sentence variety and lexical and grammatical accuracy at a high-intermediate
level.
D. Evaluate writing, using editing and revision strategies to eliminate errors in grammar, word
choice, and punctuation and to improve content and organization.
E. Use technology to advance grammar and writing skills and to communicate within the academic
environment.

Course Content
I. Pre-writing strategies: free writing, planning, and organizing paragraphs and short essays
II. Review of paragraph structure and development
III.Summary writing
IV. Response writing/reflective journals
V. Essays written out of class
A. Planning the essay (listing, outlining, mapping ideas)
B. Developing an introductory paragraph with a clearly stated thesis statement
C. Drafting an essay that reflects and develops at least two (2) supporting points of a thesis
and has a conclusion
D. Drafting compositions for a specific rhetorical purpose
E. Incorporating outside information; referencing outside source/s; in-text citation, MLA
style
F. Revising for improved clarity, unity, coherence, and development (including guided peer
review)
G. Editing to identify and correct errors in grammar, word choice, spelling, and punctuation
(including guided peer review)
H. Using technology and other lab resources for consultation and language practice related
to ongoing language development
VI. Essays written in class
A. Evidence of planning and time management
B. An introductory paragraph with a clear thesis statement
C. Body paragraphs with topic sentences that link back to the thesis and effectively explain
and develop the supporting points
D. Transitional devices linking ideas between and within paragraphs
E. A concluding paragraph
F. Varied sentence structure
G. Effective word choice, correct word forms, academic vocabulary
H. Consistent verb tense, correct verb forms, and use of verbals (infinitives, gerunds, and
participles) for various sentence functions
I. Correct punctuation and spelling
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Course Expectations and Requirements
Scores and evaluations will include your preparation for class, regular and active participation in online
class activities and completion of in-class and out-of-class assignments. Students are expected to
complete two hours of study outside of class for each lecture hour.

Canvas:
This semester, the course will be online via Zoom. Thus, we will regularly use Canvas as the Course
Management System (CMS) for class assignments. I will post class notes, announcements, discussions,
assignments, and other materials for the class on Canvas, so it is important to learn how to navigate
Canvas.

Canvas Login Information:

Canvas is our online classroom. In order for you to complete the tasks for this class, you need to have
access to a computer, a Microsoft Word program or Google products, and connection to the Internet.
 Student Login Instructions: How to Log in to Canvas
 Technical Support: Mon-Fri, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., contact the District Help Desk at
[email protected] or (408) 270-6411
 After Hour Technical Support: Mon-Fri, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. and weekends (24x7), email:
[email protected]
Please Note: To prevent problems, make sure your email address on file in Admissions and Records
and in MyWeb is correct. For more information, contact the Help Desk for technical support at
telephone (408) 270-6411 or email [email protected].
Important: A free Canvas app is available for you to connect to our site with your mobile device. Here
are the complete instructions of free Canvas App.

Netiquette (Online Conduct):

I would like to remind you that the same policy for civility, politeness, and respect applies to our online
communications. With that in mind, please never post or send content that is known to be illegal.
Never harass, threaten, or embarrass fellow learners. If you disagree with someone, respond to the
subject, not the person. Never post or send content that is harmful, abusive, racially or ethnically
offensive, vulgar, sexually explicit, or otherwise.

Participation:
This means attending our online class sessions prepared to discuss a topic we are working on.
Participation ensures that everyone in the class is involved in learning, and in order to contribute to the
class, you must be prepared with the assigned work and keep up with deadlines. Participation also
means responding to discussions set up for you in Canvas. Finally, participation also means coming to
class sessions on time. After all, you cannot participate if you are not present.

Homework:
Homework will be assigned with specific due dates. In order to receive scores on your work, please
complete homework by the due date. Homework will consist of reading, pre-writing activities,
grammar or vocabulary assignments, revision of drafts, and other writing tasks. It is your responsibility
to turn in all assignments on time and to find out what you missed if you were absent. If you miss a
class, please get the assignment(s) from one of your classmates or the instructor. (I will also post
assignments on Canvas.)
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Writing Assignments (paragraphs):
In general, you can expect to write 2-3 paragraphs and 4-5 essays in this class. These include writing
assignments that you will complete both in-class and outside of class. All paragraphs and essays
should be typed (double-spaced; font size 12). Make sure to submit your work as a Word Document
or Google Doc. If I cannot read it, I will not score it. You need to complete all assignments and not copy
from another source or classmate. Any suspected plagiarism will receive a zero score (0 %). Plagiarism
includes the use of AI services such as ChatGPT. Utilizing AI to write or complete any portion of your
assignment will result in a zero for the assignment and the assignment cannot be redone or made up.

Tests/Quizzes and Exams:

There will be some tests and quizzes throughout the semester. They will cover the work we do in class
or homework assigned for the class. All quizzes will cover the same material, whether you complete
them in Canvas or in class. Please note that quizzes will result in a zero score (0 %) if you don’t take it
by the due date! If you know that you will not be able to submit a quiz or test on time, let me know in
advance so that we may make other arrangements.

Final exams will take place the last week of the semester. I will provide more details about the exams
will later in the semester. Please note that if you do not take the Final Exams, you will not be able to
pass the class.

Late Policy
You are encouraged to submit all course work on time, by the due date. If you know that you will not
be able to meet a due date for an assignment, please contact me, so we can discuss possible solutions.
If an assignment is submitted within 4 days of the due date, that assignment will receive half the
overall score. Assignments that are more than 4 days late will not receive any scores.

Grading Criteria
This is a Pass/No Pass course that meets 5 hours per week. However, if you would like to request a
Final Letter grade, you can do so by submitting appropriate forms with Admissions & Records.

Scores will follow the criteria below:

 Participation/Discussions (includes attending online Zoom sessions) 10%
 Homework 15%
 In-class online writing assignments 30%
 Out-of-class writing assignments 15%
 Tests/Quizzes 10%
 Final Exam (all parts) 20%

ESL 508: Optional FREE Lab Course

ESL 508 is an open entry/open exit FREE course that provides individualized support for English
Language Learners in need of English skills improvement. Students will use educational software and
online formats that expand and enrich the learning experience beyond the classroom. I strongly
recommend you enroll in ESL 508 -104 (Reg ID: 122585) and use all the services the ESL Lab offers!

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Class Attendance Policy
Please come to class prepared to actively participate in discussions and group activities. If you are not
present and prepared to participate, you will not be able to practice targeted language structures and
writing skills in order to improve your writing. Read the policies below.
 There are reading, grammar, and/or writing assignments due at every class meeting, so please
complete all of the assignments before coming to class and be prepared to ask questions, answer
questions, and discuss the material.
 Please arrive on time to class, be attentive, respect your classmates, and be considerate. If you
arrive late, please quietly join our session without interruptions.
 An absence means not attending class (or arriving late/leaving early and being disruptive) for any
reason. Tardies and early departures: Two tardies equal one absence; two early departures equal
one absence. There are no unannounced *excused absences.
 If you are absent, you will miss points for any work done in class that day. If you miss two classes in
a row or miss three classes cumulatively, you may be dropped from the class; however, please
note that you are ultimately responsible for properly dropping or withdrawing.
 I understand that we all have life commitments outside of schoolwork. If you know you will be
absent during one of our online Zoom sessions, you need to contact me in advance. Only instructor
approved absences will be considered *excused. You may drop online at Self-Service or by filling
out a drop form from the Admissions and Records office. Please speak to me or a counselor before
dropping, so that every possible accommodation can be made to help you complete the courses.
 Missing 3 or more classes will most likely mean you will not pass because you will be missing too
many in-class assignments.
 Please note that absence from the class is not an excuse for not turning in work on time or for not
knowing what the work is! If you need to miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what the
assignment for the next class meeting is.
 Absences and tardiness affect your participation score.

Withdrawal/Drop Policy
It is your responsibility to determine whether you want to continue or withdraw from the class. If for
some reason you cannot finish the course, make sure you go through the proper procedure of
dropping the class yourself. However, if you miss more than three consecutive classes, you may be
dropped at the instructor’s discretion.

Do not simply stop attending class without your personally withdrawing; otherwise, a potentially failing
grade will be assigned at the end of the semester. Please speak with me or a counselor before
dropping, so that every possible accommodation can be made to help you complete the course. You
may drop a class online (Self-Service) or by contacting Admissions and Records (A&R).

Academic Honesty Policy

Students are expected to do their own schoolwork, e.g., compose papers, answer quiz or exam
questions, write or give reactions or responses to readings or videos, and not copy from another
student or from works of others. Doing so may lead to reduction of grade, suspension from the class,
failure in class, or expulsion from the college. Students who copy, cheat, or talk to each other during
quizzes or tests may receive a zero for those exercises. If the dishonesty continues, the student may be
given a failing score or be dropped from the class and be referred to the appropriate authority for
further disciplinary actions. Please check the SJCC Student Code of Conduct for further information.

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Student Conduct
SJCC is committed to providing a safe positive learning environment where students can pursue their
educational goals. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated, and you will be asked to leave a class
session. Please click here to access the Student Code of Conduct: SJCC Student Code of Conduct

Mental Health Resources

SJCC is committed to providing Brief Personal Wellness Counseling on a limited time basis to all
registered SJCC students who seek assistance with resolving obstacles which are limiting or interfering
with the student’s ability to successfully pursue a college education. Personal Wellness Counseling
provided by a Licensed clinician in a safe environment with in-person and online Zoom appointments.
Appointments are limited and availability is not guaranteed. Weekly therapeutic support offered to
students who may be experiencing some of the following concerns:
 Stress Management and coping
 Anxiety and Depression
 Grief and loss
 Self-image, identity and self-esteem issues
 Family relationships and conflicts
 Relationship distress
 Life changes and adjustments

Discrimination Policy
SJCC is committed to maintaining an environment free of sexual harassment or discrimination based on
race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, marital status,
political beliefs, organizational affiliation, sexual orientation, gender or age. Please click here for
further information regarding the district’s Nondiscrimination Policy:
SJECCD Sexual Harrassment/Discrimination Policy & Procedure

Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination against
people with disabilities. The Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at San Jose City College is designed to
help students with disabilities to achieve success by providing specialized assessment instructional
programs and support services. Students with documented disabilities who may need
accommodations, who have any emergency medical information that the instructor should know of, or
who may need special arrangements in the event of evacuation, should make an appointment to
inform the instructor as early as possible, no later than the second week of the term.
The SAS office is located in the Student Center, room SC106. Contact Information is as follows:
Phone: 408-288-3746
TTY: 408-294-3447
V-Phone: 408-565-8640
Website: SJCC SAS website

Instructor’s Note:
I am very happy to be your instructor this semester. I believe that with your hard work and active
participation your English skills will improve significantly, and I will do my best to help make that
happen. I wish you all a successful semester.

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 I hope we’ll have a productive and memorable semester
together!
Please speak only English in class!

Important Dates:
Aug. 26 – Fall Semester begins
Aug 31 – Sept. 2 – Labor Day Weekend (No classes scheduled)
Sept. 8 – Last day to ADD classes with Add Authorization (before 10
pm) Sept. 8 – Last day to DROP classes and apply for a refund (before
10 pm) Sept. 8 – Last day to DROP classes with no "W" (before 10 pm)
Oct. 22 or 24 – Midterm Exam (tentative)
Nov. 9-10 – NO CLASSES HELD
Nov. 11 – Veteran’s Day Holiday (CAMPUS CLOSED)
Nov. 28 – Dec. 1 – Thanksgiving Holiday (CAMPUS CLOSED)
Dec. 9 – 13 – Final Exams (Date TBD)
Dec. 12 – Last Day to Submit optional P/NP form
Dec. 12 – Last Day to Submit optional P/NP
Dec. 12 – Fall Semester Ends
Dec. 20 – Grades available online on Self-Service

NOTE: The information in this syllabus is subject to change when necessary.

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