Transitional Studies (TRST 3334) Discovering Literature (Fully Online)
Course Information
A beginning course designed to develop critical reading and writing skills, and to introduce significant works of literature, studying recurrent patterns and themes.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Identify different genres of literature.
- Interpret texts to infer author's purpose, message, and overarching themes.
- Employ the writing process to respond to literature, including creating thesis statements to guide and frame writing essays.
No Class Meetings
This class is fully online, so we will not meet. Please contact your classmates or me (Melissa) to get help.
Important Dates
First Day of Class 01/27/25
Last Day of Class 5/21/25
Course Expectations
- You will have regular classwork each day.
- You will spend about 10 hours a week doing classwork.
- We won’t be using a textbook. All of the readings will be in the modules, though we may borrow a book from the library.
Course Technology
Canvas
You 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 chat will be of great help to you.
Required Software
Dropping the Class
If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it. Also, for several consecutive, unexplained absences, the instructor may drop a student.
Attendance
Students who fail to attend the first class or do not log in to an online class after the second week and participate in a learning activity will be dropped from the class. It is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one class/homework deadline in a row that you contact me to avoid being dropped from the class.
Late Policy
All assignments are due at 11:59 p.m. PST on the due date. Submissions more than one week late are not accepted without prior arrangement. Late work will not be graded unless the student sends the instructor an email with the URL for late work.
Standards of Conduct
Students who register in CCSF classes are required to abide by the CCSF Student Code of ConductLinks 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 PlagiarismLinks to an external site.
Student Expectations
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 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 topics. 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?
- Do your own and your best work.
Grading
Methods of Evaluation
Each week you will work through the module and complete the reading and other assignments. As you move through the module, you may ask me or other students for clarification. Each Saturday from 9am - 11am, we will meet on CityZoom to clarify assignments, ask questions, and to learn new content.
Exams
There will be online quizzes throughout the course. The material comes from the readings, class lectures, and supplemental materials. If an exam is missed, a zero will be recorded as the score. It is your responsibility to take the online exams by the due date. You will have 3 attempts on each quiz.
Grading Policy
Visit the “Grades” in Canvas to keep track of your grades. I grade as often as I can and post grades and comments on the online Canvas gradebook.
Grades will be assigned as follows:
|
Letter Grade |
Percent |
|---|---|
|
A |
90% - 100% |
|
B |
80% - 89% |
|
C |
70% - 79% |
|
D |
60% - 69% |
|
F |
<60% |
An “F” grade indicates that a student attended, participated, and completed the course but failed to master the course curriculum.
Academic Accommodations
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.
Students seeking disability-related accommodations are encouraged to also register with Disabled Students Programs and Services located in Room 161 at the Mission Center (1125 Valencia Street, Room 161, San Francisco, CA 94110)
(415) 920-6038. Please see the DSPS website (Links to an external site.) for more information and alternate locations.
The DSPS office at Mission Center is staffed only part of the week.
To make an appointment, you can also call the DSPS main number at 415-452-5481 and let the front desk staff person know that you want an appointment at the Mission Center.