ENG 107 Syllabus
Course Description
Students will develop reading skills for improved comprehension in the arts and sciences. Students will also develop strategies for comprehending college texts across the disciplines, discerning organizational patterns, distinguishing between key points and support, drawing inferences, building vocabulary, problem solving, mapping, and retention.
- Read texts with engagement and understanding.
- Apply text concepts to personal experience, previously learned knowledge, and practical situation.
- Retain and recall information.
- Understand world-views among academic disciplines.
NOTE: This is a very rigorous course. You will be expected to spend 9-12 hours per week on reading and assignments.
Outcomes
After completing this course, students will be able to:
- Apply reading strategies to determine the meaning of a text.
- Create an evidence-based claim related to a class reading or topic.
- Classify a text based upon its rhetorical structure.
- Create various types of text-based questions using course readings.
- Examine other's thinking during shared inquiry related to assigned readings.
- Compose a theme analysis based upon three assigned readings.
BYU-Idaho Learning Model Implementation
Prepare - Qualify yourself to learn through appropriate preparation.
- Do all assigned readings and assignments before the due date and shared inquiry discussions.
- Come to the online course and discussions with prepared questions you would like to discuss.
- Be physically and spiritually prepared to learn.
Teach One Another - As you participate, you clarify and deepen your understanding.
- Participate actively in discussion boards and in shared inquiry discussion groups.
- Respect and learn from peers in discussion boards and during the Shared Inquiry discussion group.
- Develop the confidence to teach what you know to others.
Ponder and Prove - Demonstrate and apply your knowledge.
- Review the material being studied individually and as a group.
- Use a learning journal or notebook to capture and apply key ideas.
- Test yourself periodically and work on weak areas.
Course Materials
You must purchase the following required textbook:
50 Essays: A Portable Anthology by Samuel Cohen. 5th Edition. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2016 (ISBN 13: 978-1319043728)
The required textbook for this course is a low-cost auto access digital textbook through RedShelf. Access the textbook using the link provided in the Student Resources module of this course. You will be automatically charged for the digital textbook after the “Add” deadline (the end of the 2nd week of the semester).- Note: You will see that the textbook is “Unavailable” until the course is open (the Saturday before).
For further help, here are the Screensteps to show you how to find your textbook through RedShelf.
If you do not want to use the digital textbook (perhaps you already purchased the print version of the textbook), you must opt out. Follow these instructions if you wish to opt out: https://web.byui.edu/byuistore/booklist.
Compare Prices for your textbooks through the University Store Comparison site. They will show you all of the options from the University Store plus several online options to help you find the best price.
Technical Requirements
We use I-Learn for all of our assignments and learning in this class, along with Zoom to connect for the weekly Shared Inquiry Discussion Groups.
You will need a computer and is recommended that you have a webcam and a headset with a microphone.
Course Policies
Participation
Participation is crucial to the learning process. Students are expected to adhere to the BYU-Idaho Learning Model and be well prepared and actively involved every week. The course relies heavily upon practical application of learning. You will be graded on the quantity and quality of your participation and completion of assignments.
Late Work Policy
All assignments must be turned in the day they are due; late assignments will lose 25% each day up to five days. No late work will be accepted after the five days. Assignments will be accepted late without penalty due to legitimate extenuating circumstances.
Academic Integrity
As described by the BYU-Idaho Honor Code, academic dishonesty constitutes a violation of the university rules and regulations and is punishable according to the procedures outlined by BYU-I. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, and cheating.
Grades
| Assignments/Tasks | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Journal Entries | 20% |
| Critical Reading Products | 15% |
| Critical Thinking Questions and Reflection | 15% |
| Shared Inquiry Discussion Participation | 10% |
| Lesson Activities | 10% |
| Reading Comprehension Quizzes | 10% |
| Spiritual Thought Posts and Replies | 10% |
| Exams | 10% |
Course Requirements
Spiritual Thought
At the beginning of each week the theme for the weeks learning will be introduced in a short spiritual thought. Students will be given a prompt that they need to respond to in a discussion board and respond to at least two others by the end of the week.
Reading Strategies and Skills
Each week a new rhetorical pattern, strategy or skill will be reviewed and discussed. Students will complete an activity demonstrating their learning of the concepts.
Readings
There are typically three readings (essays, articles, or textbook chapters) that students will need to read before the middle of the week. The readings are composed of different complexities, styles, and cover a wide array of topics. These readings come from the course text.
Journal Entries
Students will create a journal entry for each of the readings. The journal entry follow a specific format and require the student to analyze the text for author's purpose, tone, appeal, and to make a gospel connection.
Critical Reading Products
Each week students will be assigned a critical reading role that they must then create a product for each essay. Roles include, Word Warrior, Passage Picker, Illustrator, etc. They are submitted in a discussion board where students give feedback to each other before revising and submitting them for grading.
Critical Thinking Questions
Students will be taught how to write interpretive, evaluative, and factual questions. They will create five questions for each essay that are used during the weekly Shared Inquiry Discussion Group.
Shared Inquiry Discussion Group
Toward the end of each lesson students will participate in a face-to-face discussion online using Zoom facilitated by the BYU-Idaho reading tutor using Zoom. During the discussion the students will share their questions and discuss the essays that were read during the week. Students will submit their critical thinking questions and also a reflection about the discussion at the end of the week. If you have any issues with connecting or attending online Shared Inquiry Group you should contact BYU-I Reading Center.
Reading Comprehension Quiz
At the end of each lesson their is a short quiz that checks students comprehension regarding the reading assignments and the topics discussed.
Course Exams
There are two course assessments given during the course. The assessments occur during Lesson 5 and Lesson 9. Each assessment will ask students to reflect on three of the essays that they have read during the semester and write a short thematic analysis (5 paragraph analysis). Students will be asked to identify a central claim/theme and support the claim/theme with evidence from the passages we have read with appropriate reasoning.
Final Exam
At the end of the semester you will complete a three part final exam. The exam is composed of a thematic analysis, rhetorical patterns test, and reflection.
Course Changes
Occasionally, adjustments are made mid-course to the syllabus. If any change is made to the syllabus students will be notified and a copy of the changes will be available in I-Learn.
Disability Services
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, all qualified students enrolled in this course are entitled to "reasonable accommodation." It is the student's responsibility to disclose to the teacher any special need she/he may have before the end of the first week of class.
Tutoring
There is tutoring available through the BYU-Idaho Reading Center. For more information about accessing tutoring for this class, please contact 208-496-4290.