COURSE CONTENT AND REQUIREMENTS 

Catalogue Description:
Introduction to College Reading and Composition II (3 units)(Prerequisite: English 98 or 98SL or English Placement Test. Students sharpen their skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking to improve reading comprehension and to develop composing techniques for effective academic writing. This course is designed to prepare students for success in college level academic reading and writing, emphasis being placed upon thinking clearly and logically and upon the construction of cogent arguments. Students also review such matters as standard usage, appropriate diction, punctuation, grammar, and ways to achieve variety in sentence structure within the context of the essay. Assignments show the interconnection among readings, personal experience, observation, and class discussion. Requires one hour weekly of guided practice in the Writing Center. This course can
be offered in a distance learning, online, or hybrid format. (CSU)  AA/AS Area D

Students enrolled in English 120 Online will be using, in addition to a standard textbook, modern multimedia tools including digital video mini-lectures, demonstrations, and interactive tutorials, in order to enhance learning in a distance environment.  Communication between the students and instructor will take place primarily via the course website.  Assignments will be posted on the class website and students are required to complete work by submitting assignments to the website by posted deadlines, by participating in electronic discussions with the instructor and with classmates, and by completing online quizzes. No campus visits are required.

English 120 is a demanding class. Students should be prepared to dedicate a minimum of 6 hours a week to the class. (Taking English 120 in the summer is even more demanding. Summer sessions offer accelerated courses. Students are expected to complete the course--a course which would normally take 17 weeks to finish during a regular semester--in about 6 weeks. This type of workload generally requires that summer students dedicate approximately 15 to 18 hours a week to their English class.)

The online English 150 class contains the same content as a face-to-face class, but students do need to make a few adjustments in order to be successful in an online environment. Online learning requires much more independence than traditional classroom learning. Students must learn to take control, to be very organized, and they will have to motivate themselves to meet all of the deadlines

Students, especially those who feel tentative about the online learning environment, are strongly encouraged to visit the Writing Center (LC 110) on the Kentfield Campus.  In addition to providing students with a free, drop-in tutoring service, the Writing Center provides a hands-on environment in which to reinforce the concepts covered in the course; additionally, the Writing Center gives students an opportunity for regularly scheduled contact with a "live" English instructors.  Historically, students who visit the Writing Center perform much better in the course. If coming to campus poses a problem, students may also use the Online Writing Center for help.

For a more detailed description of course content and requirements, please click the Syllabus link at the bottom of this page.

COURSE ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Students enrolled in the class are required to sign into MyCOM on the first official day of the term for instructions for the first week of classes.
  
• Students will access the class web site via MyCOM. For more information about getting a MyCOM account, read the FAQ's on the MyCOM Portal login page.
• Students should purchase their books before the first day of the semester. Please click on the syllabus link below for a list of the required textbooks for the class. Students may purchase their books online  by visiting CoM's online bookstore,  or students may buy the books at the COM campus. All students must purchase the editions listed in the syllabus, old editions of texts will not suffice. Also, make certain the ISBN number matches the number listed in the syllabus.
• Students will be required to send the instructor proof that the prerequisites have been fulfilled (as described below) by the first week of classes.
• English 120 may be taken for C/NC or for a grade. If students choose to take the class for Credit/No Credit they must submit their request to the instructor in writing via e-mail before the deadline published in the schedule of classes. Students should also keep a copy of their request for their own records.