IMPROVED COLLEGE READING - RED 090

Instructor:	Twyla T. Davis	Office:	Bldg. 1/Room 127
Phone:	(910) 879-5543; Voice mail available	Office Hours	Vary each semester; Posted on office door
E-mail	tdavis@bladencc.edu

TEXTBOOKS:

Goodman, Donald J. et.al. Advancing Vocabulary Skills. Third edition.

Langan, John. Ten Steps to Advancing College Reading Skills. Fourth edition.

DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to improve reading and critical thinking skills. Topics include vocabulary enhancement; extracting implied meaning; analyzing author’s purpose, tone, and style; and drawing conclusions and responding to written material. Upon completion, students should be able to comprehend and analyze college-level reading material.

OBJECTIVES:

· employ a variety of vocabulary enhancement techniques

· identify the stated and implied main idea in written material

· identify supporting details in written material

· map and outline written material

· interpret graphic materials

· make inferences and draw conclusions from written material

· use comprehension strategies appropriate to a variety of reading materials, including content area textbooks

· demonstrate an understanding of figurative language

· analyze author’s purpose, tone, style, and bias

· apply selected critical thinking skills to written material

· demonstrate by responding to written material in a variety of methods

REQUIREMENTS:

Attendance: “Attendance at all class meetings is expected. Students whose absences exceed 20% of all scheduled contact hours will be dropped from the course by the instructor for excessive absences.” – BCC Catalog

In accordance with BCC policy, students who miss two consecutive weeks of class will be dropped from the course.

Students who withdraw or are dropped from the course before the mid-term date will receive a “W” as a grade. Students who withdraw or are dropped from the course after mid-term will receive a “WF” for the course which is equivalent to an “F”.

Tardiness: “Students are expected to be in their positions ready for instruction at the time scheduled for the class to begin. Any deviation from this procedure is disruptive, discourteous, and unfair to instructors and to fellow students who are deprived of the total instruction period as a result. Accordingly, students who are late for a class...may at the discretion of the instructor, be denied admittance to the class meeting, and be awarded an absence mark for the class.” –BCC Catalog

A student is considered tardy if he or she enters class after work and/or instruction has begun. Three tardies will be equal to one absence.

Disruptive behavior and miscellaneous items: Students are expected to be respectful at all times.

Respectful behavior includes the following:

· listening when others are speaking

· speaking one at a time

· treating others with courtesy

· refraining from using words or making comments that are offensive or profane

· maintaining an open mind

Disruptive behavior, such as talking during lectures, sleeping during class, going in and out of the room once class has begun, is unacceptable. Such behavior will affect the class participation grade and may result in a student being asked to leave the class.

· Turn off cell phone ringers prior to the beginning of class and do not answer phones in the classroom.

· Food and drink (excluding water) are not allowed in the classrooms unless it is part of a class activity.

Children are not allowed in the classrooms.

Missed Work: No papers will be accepted late without approval from the instructor prior to the due date. Please send papers, drop them off, or e-mail them if you know you cannot come to class on the day they are due. No make up tests will be given without prior approval from the instructor and written documentation justifying the absence. All missed tests and formal assignments will receive a 0 for a grade. All missed work is the student’s responsibility.

EVALUATION:

Attendance, class work and homework

Vocabulary tests

Reading quizzes

Projects and Final exam

GRADING SCALE:

90 – 100 A 79 – 70 C Below 59 - F

80 – 89 B 69 – 60 D

Note: A grade of C (70) or better is required to progress through the developmental program.

Students with special needs related to a diagnosed disability should contact Tommy Rains (910.879.5570; trains@bladencc.edu) in Student Services for assistance.