Syllabus

Baton Rouge Community College 

College Reading and Writing 0083 Spring 2022
Course Title: College Reading and Writing CORW 0083-CRN: 21231
BRCC Course Rubric: CRN 0083
Previous Course Rubric: N/A
Lecture Hours per week-lab hours per week-credit hours: 3
CIP Code: 32.0108
Office Hours: By appointment only 
Contact Information: 225-347-0784 (Google Voice); email: bynumk@mybrcc.edu 
Course Description: Integrates reading and writing skills for students to comprehend
and interact with college-level texts and to prepare students for college-level writing.
Reading skills center on processes for literal and critical comprehension, as well as the
development of vocabulary skills. Writing skills focus on using an effective writing
process including generating ideas, drafting, organizing, revising, and editing to produce
competent writing using standard written English. 
Co-Requisites: None
 Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, the students will
be able to: 

1. Develop a writing project through multiple drafts using standard diction, grammar,
and mechanics of American English.
2. Respond to a variety of texts by applying basic rhetorical concepts (purpose,
audience, genre, medium, occasion) to the analysis and creation of texts.
3. Evaluate information to support ideas.

Assessment Measures: Assessment of all learning outcomes will be measured using

the following methods: 

1. Instructor-designed tests and/or quizzes

1. Major or minor in-class writing assignments, assessed formally or informal.

2. Four (4) or more formally-assessed writing assignments:

*    Writing assignments must respond to instructor-provided texts in a variety of genres.

*    Writing assignments must emphasize paragraph development using a variety of
strategies (e.g. narration, description, illustration, process analysis, classification,
comparison/contrast, cause and effect, definition, persuasion)

1. Required multiple drafts reviewed by the instructor and outside tutoring services

 Course Materials 

1. Reading Textbooks: 

1- Comprehension: Langan, John: Ten Steps to Advancing College Reading Skills,

6th Ed.
2- Vocabulary: Comodromos,Eliza, and Langan, Paul, Advancing Vocabulary Skills,
5th Ed.

1. Technology: reliable computer, internet access, webcam, Microsoft Word 2016 or

greater. All BRCC students have access to Microsoft Word 2016 for free through
their email. 
2. In the event that your computer or internet is disabled make sure you have a second
plan available for access. Internet access will not be an excuse for not completing
your work. 
3. Zoom will be the platform for video conferencing for this class. Zoom conferences
will take place on a designed date and time that will be announced. Zoom sessions
will be recorded.
4. GRAMMARLY: Grammarly is a free online writing tool that scans your text for
common grammatical and spelling errors. Grammarly can be installed for use with
Microsoft Office on Windows or Grammarly for Microsoft Word on Mac. It can also
be added as an extension on Google Chrome. It is highly recommended that you
download this free tool for your writing assignments.
5. Turnitin: This tool will be used to assist the instructor with determining if any part of
your written work has been copied from the internet or other database sources.

Teaching Methodology-This is an asynchronous class that will use Canvas for all

online methods of teaching, quizzes, discussion boards, and assignments.  An
asynchronous course means that this course is ALL online giving you the opportunity to
complete assignments on your own with a designated due date for assignments. We will
have a specific time and date to meet for chapter discussions and questions and
answers. 
Attendance Policy:  Your attendance in this class is based upon the completion of
assignments by the due date. Therefore, it is imperative that ALL assignments are
completed on time.  
Grades:  You will have 4 formal written assignments that must be aligned to a
specific rubric for this class. In addition to these written assignments, you will have
chapter quizzes, discussion board assignments, and writing assignments. In order to
pass this class, you must earn a final grade of “C.” Your final grade is determined by an
average of all recorded grades.  
Grading Scale: 
90-100% =A 
80-89%=B 
70-70%=C 
60-69%=D 
0-50%=F 
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:  You may receive a failing grade on any academic work in
which you have been determined to have committed an academic integrity violation.
Additionally, the matter may be referred to as a violation of the Student Code of
Conduct and adjudicated under the procedures defined in the Code.
Assignments:  
All assignments are submitted through Canvas following the specific guidelines and
designated due dates. All typed assignments, chapter quizzes, and tests will be
submitted through Canvas. All rough drafts and final drafts assignments must be typed
and submitted on Canvas using Microsoft Word. 
Student Expectations: 
Students should read and adhere to the online netiquette guidelines found on Canvas
in the Module: Overview for this course. 
Zoom attendance is an important platform for achieving learning outcomes. All Zoom
conferences are recorded for later viewing.  
The successful navigation of Canvas is very important for communication between the
instructor and student.  Remember that the Inbox is in the navigation menu is how you
will communicate with the instructor. 
Students are expected to complete all assignments in each weekly module for
successful completion of this course.
Cell Phone Policy: All cell phones should be turned off and should remain in book
bags or purses during class. All family members, friends, and employers should be
informed that you are in school and should not be disturbed during class time. 
Make-up Policy: Students will be allowed to make up assignments at the discretion of
the instructor.  
Student Resources: The following links are online resources that are available for
students to be successful at Baton Rouge Community College. These resources are
also found on Canvas and the school’s website.
Library Resources:
 library@mybrcc.edu 
Virtual Student Center
https://mybrcc.instructure.com/courses/223070
IT Help Desk
helpdesk@mybrcc.edu
Academic Learning Center
 learningcenter@mybrcc.edu 
Learning Disabilities Statement: It is the policy of BRCC to afford equal opportunity in
education to all qualified students. Therefore, a student who has a disability that inhibits
him or her from meeting a course requirement and who desires accommodations must
contact the instructor and the Office of Special Services within the first three class
meetings of the semester. The goal is to develop a timely accommodation plan and to
file an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accommodation
Form.  Course requirements will not be waived, but accommodations will be made to
allow each student to meet the course requirements. Students requiring such services
should identify themselves within the first three class meetings in order to allow the
instructor to develop an accommodation plan. If a disability is identified later in the
semester, a non-retroactive accommodation plan will be developed at that time. 
Safety Policy: BRCC believes that your safety is important in the learning process and
makes every effort to ensure that you are secure while on campus. Please report any
activity that appears unusual to the Office of Public Safety at 216-8888. You may also
use one of the red telephones in the classrooms, the blue light pole phones outdoors, or
the garage emergency phones on all floors.  Emergency text messaging and email are
available so that you are notified of any critic event. All students are strongly
encouraged to register for this service by going to the BRCC webpage and signing on
the Be Prepared Hurricane Link or the e2 Campus Link for this very important service. 
Military Absence policy: Baton Rouge Community College acknowledges and
appreciates the important contributions of our students who have served or are currently
serving in our military. In order to support these students, Baton Rouge Community
College pledges to make every reasonable accommodation for students who must be
absent from class due to military obligations or required medical treatment for service-
connected conditions. The policy will provide that students shall not be penalized for
class absences due to military obligations or required medical treatment for service-
connected conditions. The faculty will provide reasonable accommodations to make up
missed work. These accommodations may include a selection of comparable
coursework as agreed upon by the faculty. If all students have the right to drop a
test/quiz grade, military-related absences will not constitute the dropped test and make-
up tests unless the student chooses to use this option.  Both student and instructor must
agree that the length of the absence is reasonable given the type and structure of the
course. Students and instructors will sign a plan which details expectations for
successful completion of coursework. In situations where the length of absences is
detrimental to the student’s ability to successfully complete the agreed-upon plan and
remain current with coursework, it may be within the students’ interest to withdraw.  
Procedures and Documentation  
In the case of military training or drill periods, the student should disclose the leave
schedule to the instructor as soon as the unit provides such documentation. We
understand that training schedules are subject to change and if a change occurs, the
student should submit a memorandum from the reservist’s unit to the faculty member. A
full eight hours shall be excused before or after the military training or medical treatment
to allow for travel time if travel is required.  
In the case of medical treatment, documentation of a VA appointment may be requested
to validate the reason for the absence. Documentation should be provided directly to the
instructor or through the Military and Veterans Services office. If the student chooses to
submit it to the Military and Veterans Services office, the Military and Veterans Services
office will notify the instructor of the legitimacy of these absences.  
If the student chooses to withdraw due to lengthy military training obligations or
extended medical treatment during the semester, they should be directed to the office of
Veteran Affairs and Military. 
Student-Athlete Absence Policy: Baton Rouge Community College is committed to
the success of our student-athletes. In order to support these students, Baton Rouge
Community College pledges to make every effort to provide reasonable
accommodations for students who must be absent from class due to a scheduled
athletic competition. The policy will provide that students shall not be penalized for class
absences due to participation in athletic competition. The faculty will provide reasonable
accommodations to make up missed work. These accommodations may include a
selection of comparable coursework as agreed upon by the faculty. If all students have
the right to drop a test/quiz grade, competition-related absences will not constitute the
dropped test and make-up tests unless the student chooses to use this option.  
Procedures and Documentation: At the beginning of each semester the Assistant
Athletic Director will provide each student-athlete with a letter describing the travel and
competition schedules for each team. The student-athlete will provide this letter to each
instructor. Prior to leaving on a trip for the Athletic Department, the student-athlete will
follow up with their instructor and remind them of the missed class dates. After the fact
notifications are not accepted as excused absences. 
Student Behavior Policy: Baton Rouge Community College is committed to providing
an exceptional academic experience for students. In order to provide this, the classroom
must be a safe and productive space for all students. The policy will ensure all students
clearly understand the behavioral expectation of the classroom setting, thus allowing for
optimal learning for all.  A student is considered disruptive when he/she engages in
behaviors that interfere in a significant way with the teaching practices of the instructor.
Disruptive behaviors can include: 
1. Persistently arriving late or leaving early, 
2. Talking constantly while the instructor delivers lectures, 
3. Loud and frequent interruptions to the flow of the class, 
4. Belligerence when confronted about inappropriate behavior, or 
5. Verbal/physical threats, 
6. Inappropriate romantics advances. 

Procedures and Documentation: 

First Level—encompasses any situation that can be handled informally between you
and the 
student, leading to a prompt resolution.  
Second Level—involves an ongoing problem or a more serious incident in the
classroom. 
These situations will be brought immediately to the attention of the Dean of Students, 
Department Chair, and Division Dean. A report will be written and filed.  
Third Level—Immediate danger. These situations will require immediate contact with
the 
BRCC police at 216-8888 or use of the red phone. These situations will be brought
immediately to the attention of the Dean of Students, Department Chair, and Division
Dean. 
A report will be written and filed. 
Cheating and Plagiarism Policy: If a student is caught cheating, he/she will get a
verbal warning for 1st offense. The 2nd offense, the test will be taken, and the student
or students will receive a Zero for the given test. To avoid cheating, during a test, please
keep your eyes on your own paper. All phones should be put away during testing. 
BRCC Cares:  BRCC Cares is an online reporting system through which students,
faculty, staff, administrators, and visitors can inform the College of students who are
exhibiting concerning behavior or academic difficulty. This system will directly route
reported student issues to the appropriate College representative(s) for possible
intervention. BRCC Cares is designed to provide a safe place for the College
community to report suspected violations of the Student Code of Conduct and BRCC’s
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy, including but is not limited to: dating violence,
domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual
exploitation, stalking, etc., for investigation. Filing a report on BRCC Cares does not
take the place of calling the police in the event of an emergency or life-threatening
situation.  
BRCC Cares is located at mybrcc.edu/brccares cares or by typing “BRCC Cares” in the
College website bar. 
Expanded Course Outline:
1. Strategic Reading, Writing, and Thinking
2. Effective Connections Between Reading, Writing, and Thinking
3. Purpose, Audience, Genre, Medium, and Occasion in Texts
4. Ways of responding to texts

1. College Reading Skills

2. Structural Analysis of Words and Vocabulary in Context
3. Main Ideas, Implied Main Ideas, and Supporting Details

1. Language Skills
2. Sentences That use Effective Structure to Achieve Precision, Variety, and Clarity
3. Agreement of Subjects-Verbs and Pronouns-Antecedents
4. Effective Punctuation
5. The Importance of Word Choice

1. Essay Conventions and the Writing Process

2. Inventing, Drafting, Revising, and Editing
3. Paragraph Development Strategies
4. Ordering and Linking Ideas
5. Writing Clear, Succinct Thesis Statements
6. Writing Effective Introductions, Conclusions, and Titles

1. Basic Research Procedures

2. Internet Search vs. Database
3. Registering for and using BRCC Online Databases
4. Evaluating Sources
5. Modern Language Association (MLA) In-Text Citation Conventions
6. Avoiding Plagiarism
7. Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

1. When and How to Cite Sources