Syllabus

LANG 103 - 4 credits

North Dakota State University - Office of International Programs
Intensive English Language Program
Spring 2009

Language 103: Non-Native Speaker Beginning / Intermediate Grammar and Writing

Instructor: James Schumann Office Location: 205 Minard

Email: schumasc@mnstate.edu Office Phone: 231-8850 (On Campus: 1-8850)

Voicemail: (701) 205-2519

Office Hours: After Class or By Appointment

Class Periods: 2:00p.m. - 2:50p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays

Class Location: E M Lebedeff Hall: Room 378

Catalogue Course Description:

Grammar, usage, syntax, and extensive work with sentence and paragraph structure, stressing
unity and coherence. Emphasis on skills required for academic work. Does not satisfy any
requirements for graduation.

Required Materials:

• Fundamentals of English Grammar, third edition, by Betty Schrampfer Azar. ISBN 0-13-
013631-X
• Fundamentals of Academic Writing, Level One, by Linda Butler. ISBN 0-13-199557-X
• Internet access
• 3-section notebook

Discrimination:
Treat all students with respect and dignity. I will not tolerate hateful speech, "jokes," or any type
of verbal harassment. It does not matter if the remark is directed at another student or not. This is
an extremely serious matter. I expect all of you to refrain from all forms of discrimination.

The following are the consequences for discrimination:

1. Verbal Warning
 2. Asked to leave class with a recommendation to speak with IELP Program Director
3. Disciplinary action through NDSU in accordance with the student code of conduct and
discrimination policies.

Official Statement: NDSU does not tolerate discrimination. Direct inquires to the Executive
Director and Chief Diversity Officer, 202 Old Main, 701.231.7708.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

Tell me if you have any problems with our class. I can help you.
Any students with disabilities or other special needs, who need special accommodations in this
course, are invited to share these concerns or requests with the instructor as soon as possible.

Academic Honesty:
All work in this course must be completed in a manner consistent with NDSU University Senate
Policy, Section 335: “Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct,”
http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/policy/335.htm

• Complete all course work on your own.

• Do not copy the work of other students.
• Complete exams on your own.
• Do not copy the published work or ideas of anyone.

I will report ALL cheating to Lisa Hauck in the Office of International Programs. Please read the
attached IELP statement on Academic Honesty.

Office Hours:
After class or by appointment.

Cell Phones:
Turn OFF your cell phones before class.

Electronic Translators:
You may use translators any time EXCEPT during exams.

NDSU Blackboard Webpage https://bb.ndsu.nodak.edu

You must log on to our online course at least twice a day.

1. Between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.: Go online and Print Worksheets for Class
2. After 3:00 p.m.: Go online and get the homework assignment.

Lies:
Do not lie to me. Always tell me the truth.

Behavior:

Raise your hand before you speak in class. Do not talk when I am talking. Pay attention. Do not
cause distractions. Do not sleep. Do not eat. Be respectful toward me and other students.

Notes:

If you take notes, then you will probably do well in class.

Attendance and Punctuality:

Class begins exactly at 2:00 p.m. You must be in class every day. Do NOT be late for class. Tell
me before class if you are going to be absent, and bring me a written excuse the next day.

For every 6 days you are absent, your grade will be lowered by one letter. Please see the attached
IELP statement on Attendance.

Working Ahead:

Only do the assigned homework, and do NOT complete worksheets before class. Do not do extra
work.

Weekly Meetings:

Weekly Meetings are a required part of class. You will meet with me once a week for 30 minutes.
We will arrange the time. Tell me in advance if you are going to be absent.

Detailed Course Description:

Beginning English grammar and composition for ESL students.

Grammar focus: Becoming familiar with the basic parts of speech and learning to use correctly
the basic parts of speech. The basic parts of speech include studying the simple verb tenses in
written communication.

Composition focus: Producing error-free sentences of increasing complexity and working to

develop paragraph-level composition skills. Also, building knowledge of the customs and
conventions of academic writing conventions. The academic writing conventions are:
understanding writing as a process, establishing skills to prepare for writing essays, and
increasing fluency of written English language.

Course Objectives for Grammar:

• Develop fluency with simple and progressive verb forms.

 • Develop fluency with simple sentence structure and word order, including statements and
questions.
• Develop fluency with nouns and pronouns.
• Develop fluency with articles and demonstratives.

Course Objectives for Composition:

• Master format conventions used in English composition for academic settings.

• Gain familiarity with the writing process.
• Understand the relationship between sentences, paragraphs, and essays.
• Understand the concepts of purpose and genre as they apply to writing at the paragraph
• level.
• Gain familiarity with concepts of structure and organization basic to paragraph level
English composition.
• Understand the concepts of general, specific, opinion, and fact.
• Develop general foundational skills for writing at the essay level.

Required Assignments:

• Daily Homework
• Daily Journal Assignments
• Daily Classroom Activities
• Quizzes
• Exams
• Essays

Homework:
All homework is due BEFORE class begins. I might ask you to leave class if you do not have
your homework. You can re-do homework before the exam.
Doing your homework on time is very important. NO LATE WORK!!

Journal:
Write all journal assignments in one notebook. Bring you journal to class everyday. Do not hand
in journal assignments with homework. I will collect your entire journal on certain dates.

Classroom Activities:
You must come to class and participate in class activities.

Quizzes:
Quizzes will be on the Blackboard Web Page. You will take quizzes after Tuesday's class and
before Thursday's class. Use the computers on campus. You must complete the quiz by the
deadline.

Exams:
You must take all exams in class. You can NOT be absent the day of an exam.

Essays:
Paragraph writing Practice both in class and out of class. Essays have many steps. Only do one
step at a time. Complete the steps in the correct order.

Mid-term Exam:

The mid-term exam will be 5% of your overall grade. It will cover both grammar and writing.
The date and time of the exam will be announced in class.

Final Exam:
The final exam will be 10% of your overall grade. It will cover both grammar and writing. The
date and time of the exam will be announced in class.

Grading Policies:

• Your final grade must be at least 80% in order to move to the next level class.
• All assignments will be posted on the NDSU Blackboard web page.
• All assignments are due before class begins.
• In-class writing, activities, and exams must be completed in class.
• You must take online quizzes. You always have computer access at NDSU.
• If you cheat, you will fail the assignment.
• For every 6 days you are absent, your grade will be lowered by one letter.

Grading Categories:

• Grammar Exams 25%

• Paragraph Papers 25%
• Midterm Exam 5%
• Final Exam 10%
• Quizzes 10%
• Classroom Activities 5%
• Journal 10%
• Homework 10%
Overall Semester Grading Scale:

• 90% - 100% A
• 80% - 89% B
• 70% - 79% C
• 60% - 69% D
• 0-59% F