Instructor Contact

Christian Olmos

• Email: colmos@ccsf.edu
• CCSF Phone: (415) 452-7236
• Office Hours: On CityZoom
• Office Location: Batmale Hall 728 
• I will respond to all course email within 24 hours Monday-Friday, exclusive of school holidays. Once the course begins, I prefer to get messages through the Canvas "Inbox". 

Building Community

The heart of this class is the discussion forum. Each week you and your classmates will analyze and discuss the issues that come up in the material this week. Each time this class is offered, I am humbled by the thoughtfulness of all of you, your posts, and your responses to each other inform my understanding of the topics. We learn from each other, from our varied experiences, from our different world views. I look forward to participating in discussions with you.

Instructor Announcements 

Every week I will post announcements on the “Announcements” page in Canvas. It is extremely important you receive these notification. These could include assignment extensions or even cancellations. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred  Notification Preferences (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.  as soon as I create an Announcement. Please see the below the video I created last Spring to guide you through notification preferences.  

A course in composition and rhetoric that helps students hone a style appropriate for upper-division work that integrates the close reading of nonfiction and the writing of expository and argumentative essays. Focus on sharpening critical thinking skills, analyzing and evaluating texts, and writing text-based prose.

Course Outline of Record

Prerequisites

ENGL 1A

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Construct argumentative essay with attention to audience, exigency, and constraint, synthesizing from multiple sources.
2. Summarize complex texts accurately and succinctly.
3. Analyze arguments for logic, rhetorical force, and style through close textual reading.
4. Compose sentences employing a variety of pattern, as well as precise diction, for rhetorical effectiveness.

Class Meetings

There will be no required class meetings. I do plan to hold 1 or 2 online Zoom live meetings during class times. However, these are optional and will be recorded. 

Course Website

You can access the Course Website for additional information about the course and further resources at CCSF. 

Canvas

Students will use the Canvas Learning Management system  [for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, viewing classmates' work, sharing resources, and viewing grades].  I can help with the course material and with some Canvas issues. But, if you need help uploading an assignment or with the mechanics of Canvas, Canvas help is the number to call.

For 24/7 help with Canvas call: 1-844-592-2198.

Textbooks

• Cooper, Sheila, and Rosemary Patton, editors. Writing Logically Thinking Critically. 8 edition, Pearson, 2014. ISBN: 978-0321926524
• Lakoff, George. Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think, Third Edition. 3 edition, University of Chicago Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0226411293

Canvas

Students will use the Canvas Learning Management system  [for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, viewing classmates' work, sharing resources, and viewing grades].  I can help with the course material and with some Canvas issues. But, if you need help uploading an assignment or with the mechanics of Canvas, Canvas help is the number to call.
For 24/7 help with Canvas call: 1-844-592-2198.

Course Website

You can access the Course Website for additional information about the course and further resources at CCSF. 

Recommended Citation and Research Software

• Zotero Research Assistant

• Important Dates

  • January 31^st - First Day of Instruction

  • February 17^th - Last Date to Enroll

  • February 9^th - Last Day to Drop with Full Refund

  • February 17^th - Last Day to Drop without a “W”

  • April 28^th - Last Day to Drop with a “W”

  • May 25^th - Final Exam Due / Last Day of the Course

Dropping the Class

If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it. Given the extenuating circumstances with the pandemic, special considerations have been made. Please consult the CCSF website for more information.  

Homework: (Reading Responses, Textbook Exercises)

• Responses are graded based on a one (1) through five (5) scale. Five being thoughtful, insightful, and well written. Two and less being incomplete (under 250 words), off topic, misunderstood, or obviously not responding to the reading.
• Textbook exercises are graded based on a one (1) through ten (10) scale or by percentage of correct answers according to the individual assignment.
• All textbook exercises will be completed in Canvas using the quiz function.
• As a general rule, I do not accept late textbook homework.
• Reading responses are to be submitted to Canvas by the beginning of class on the assigned due date.
• I will likely accept late reading responses. However, if you are consistently late with your reading responses, I may, at my discretion, stop accepting your late work.
• Please make it a point to consult the schedule frequently. Unless there is an issue accessing the schedule on Canvas, avoid emailing me to ask, “what is due this week?”

Final Exam and Midterm:

• Our midterm will be a timed essay conducted on Canvas.
• Our final exam will be a mix of short answer questions and an a timed essay conducted on Canvas.

Essay Grading:

• Essays are to be submitted by the beginning of class on their assigned due date.
• Extensions- If you need an extension for an essay, make sure you email before the due date. I am happy to give you a few extra days. Unless there are documented extenuating circumstances, I will not grant you an extension for more than a week.
• If you do not email or make arrangements with me for an extension, I will deduct 5% of a grade for each day it’s late, including days our class does not meet. Note: I do not allow extensions for the final essay.
• Essays are graded by percentage; 1 – 100%. Refer to the grading scale above.
• Essays that do not meet the minimum requirements such as (but not limited to) page length and proofreading, may not receive a passing grade.
• I reserve the right to assign a failing grade on essays without marking them, if they do not meet the minimum requirements. This is usually due to not meeting the minimum page length.
• You must submit ALL of the essay assignments in order to pass the course.

Late Work Policies

I am happy to work with you and offer time to make up most assignments. The main exception to make up work are our class discussions.

• Class Discussions - Class discussions are an important part of engaging with your peers over the concepts and ideas of that current module and will likely not be accepted late. If there is an extenuating circumstance as to why you could not post or reply on time, please make sure and contact me. I am happy to take that into consideration.
• Reading Responses and Exercises - Reading Responses and Exercises can be made up after the due date. However, I will take extensions and make up work on a case by case basis. If you are excessively and consistently late with these assignments, I may stop granting you extensions and the ability to make up work. Again, please contact me if there are any extenuating circumstance. 
• Exams -In this course exams will be open for the duration of that week's module. Exams are timed essays and will need to be submitted within the allotted time. Make sure you start your exam when you are ready to spend the entire time focused on your exam. As it will state in the Exam instructions, if there is any reason you do not submit your Exam in the time allotted, or do not submit your Exam entirely by the due date, contact me and we will discuss your possible options for completing the exam. 
• Essays - To receive an extension on an Essay, you must contact me before the Essay is due. It is imperative that if for any reason you are not able submit your essay by the due date in that week’s module, you email me so we can discuss your options. If you do not contact me, or if you do not submit your essay by our agreed upon extension date, a late penalty of 5% off your total score will be applied to every day the essay is late, this includes weekends.  

According to CCSF Academic Policies and Procedures, "Extenuating circumstances are verified cases of accidents, illness or occurrences beyond the control of the student. Students must provide documentation supporting the extenuating circumstances.”

Methods of Evaluation

Each week you will complete graded assignments. There is a Discussion, Exercises, and Reading Responses due each week. All of these assignments can be completed after reading the textbook assignments and the content pages within the modules. 

Viewing Feedback

Perhaps the most important thing you can do in this class is take my feedback and comments on your writing constructively. I spend the time to comment on your writing, I do expect you to read my comments and ask me questions about any comments you do not understand. Please reference the below links and videos to make sure you will see my feedback on your writing. 

   How do I view my grades, teacher comments, and an assignment rubric as a student?

   View Instructor Comments

Please consult this video I made for colleagues about students accessing my essay feedback.

Grades Will be Assigned as Follows:

An “F” grade indicates that a student attended, participated and completed the course but failed to master the course curriculum.

An “FW” grade indicates the student stopped attending a course after the “last day to withdraw” deadline and subsequently did not submit any work or participate in any exams. Please check with your counselor and financial aid advisor for possible implications of the FW grade on residency and financial aid status.

Grading Policy

Visit the “Grades” in Canvas to keep track of your grades. I grade every week  and post grades and comments on the online Canvas gradebook.

CCSF DSPS Website

If you need classroom or testing accommodations because of a disability, or have emergency medical information to share with me, or need special arrangements in case the building needs to be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. My office hours are by appointment either on the Ocean Campus (9-4 p.m., Monday through Friday) or by Zoom video-conferencing.

Students seeking disability related accommodations are encouraged to also register with Disabled Students Programs and Services located in Room 323 of the Rosenberg Library (415) 452-5481. Please see the  DSPS website for more information and alternate locations (Links to an external site.)

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is not tolerated in my class. Plagiarism may consist of using the ideas, sentences, paragraphs, or the whole text of another writer without appropriate citation or acknowledgement. Using online tools and software to paraphrase, alter, or re-word any writing is plagiarism. Plagiarism will be reported to the Office of Student Affairs, the Department Chair, or the appropriate Dean, resulting in disciplinary action.

Students who register in CCSF classes are required to abide by the  CCSF Student Code of Conduct (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. . Violation of the code is basis for referral to the Student Conduct Coordinator or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Office of Student Affairs (Links to an external site.).

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:

Encourage Academic Integrity and Prevent Plagiarism (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

Citing Information Sources (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

Student Expectations

Important Notes about the Workload

• There will be exceptional amount dense and challenging reading assigned in a short period. I ask that you set aside an appropriate amount of time to get the most from your efforts.
• Expect to spend about 8-16 hours per week outside of class doing your homework and reading. That is, you will spend an average of 8 hours per class meeting completing the assigned reading and homework.
• Expect to write essays whose length range between 4 - 6 pages and a research paper between 8 -10 pages.
• Make sure to keep all your assignments!
• Note Taking: I expect that you take notes during class, and more importantly, annotate your reading! I make it a point to have our class discussions help facilitate your writing. You will need your notes to help develop your essays.

You will succeed in this course if you meet the following expectations:

• Complete the assigned activities. Please let me know as soon as you can concerning difficulties that you may have in getting assignments in on time. 
• Complete the discussion posts and replies within the given window of time. Our discussions are much more vibrant when we all participate!
• Complete the weekly quizzes, the final project, and the final exam on time.
• Think critically about the weekly readings. Is something surprising? Is it new to you? How does it contrast with what you know about XYZ or how does it compare to ABC? Think about answering these questions in your reading responses and in the discussions. 
• Do your own and your best work. 
• There is an exceptional amount of reading for this college level course. Expect to reread difficult texts to make sure you are applying the active reading strategies we learn.
• Expect to write essays whose lengths range between 5-7 and 8-10 pages.
• This course may not work for you. We have other courses here at CCSF that may be a better fit for you. I am happy to discuss those options with you.

Here is what you can expect from me:

• I will respond to your email or message within 24 hours during the week unless I inform you otherwise.
• I will treat you and your ideas with respect.
• I will do my best to create a learner-centered environment that facilitates active learning, ongoing assessment and provide timely feedback 
• Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity: effective teaching and advising involves a cultivated sensitivity to the diverse needs and perspectives of students from different racial, ethnic, religious and gender backgrounds.
• You will see your grades in the Canvas Gradebook.
• I will be available to assist you in any step of your learning process, either through office hours or through communication as arranged by us.
• I will work hard to make this a great class. 

Strategies for Success

• Read this syllabus carefully and make sure that you understand all requirements and policies.
• Bring your materials every day: homework, books, articles, binder, note paper, pens and pencils, and print card.
• Participate by listening actively, asking sincere questions, and contributing regularly and thoughtfully to class discussions, class activities, and group work.
• Visit me during office hours with any questions or concerns about the class, stay in touch via email, and ask for help if you feel confused or stuck. I am here to help you succeed!
• Maintain a positive attitude!