COMP110: English Composition I
Section: E61     (eLearning)

About This Course


Semester and YearSpring 2018 / (15 weeks): Jan 17, 2018 to May 11, 2018
(See "Getting Started" below for details about orientation)

Instructor(s)

Michael Hennessey   Email: Michael.Hennessey@bucks.edu
Phone: 215-968-8164
Campus Location: Grupp 139

Course Credits

3 credits

Time Requirements

Plan a minimum of 6 - 9 hours per week for your coursework. While online learning courses provide flexibility in time, geography, and travel, the work required for successful completion is identical to that for the face-to-face course.   Your instructor may specify additional time requirements in the "Other information" field below or during your orientation.

Delivery Mode

eLearning:
Web-based course

Official College Course Description

The complete college course description can be viewed at:

Student Characteristics

Open to self-motivated, self-disciplined students who can handle college-level work and study independently.

Instructor Provided Course Syllabus

A sample Course Syllabus is typically available in WebAdvisor's "Search for Sections" results. A Course Syllabus explains how the instructor will conduct the class and may include: course policies, grading guidelines, assignment due dates, etc.

Student Requirements

This course has the following requirements for students:
  • Read the important instructor supplied information located at the end of this document
  • Other special requirements may apply. Consult "Other Information about the Section" for details.
  • Proctored Testing is Required

Proctored Testing is Required

Your instructor requires proctored testing. Proctored testing services are available free of charge on a walk-in basis at the Newtown Campus, the Lower Bucks Campus (Bristol), and the Upper Bucks Campus (Perkasie). The specific days and hours for testing services at the Newtown and branch campuses vary by semester.

Your instructor may offer the option of allowing you to propose an alternative proctor if Bucks County Community College testing facilities are otherwise inaccessible to you. However, all proctored testing must occur within the United States during the assigned testing period. Failure to comply will result in your receiving an F for the course.

View the Testing Center schedule and detailed information.

Getting Started With This Course


Orientation(s)

This information has expired. If you are looking for current course information you must go to the current semester course information page.

Accessing Your Course

Canvas (by Instructure)

Your course is using Canvas. If you are new to Canvas, please visit the Canvas Basics course space to become familiar with Canvas prior to the start of your course. No login is required to access this space.

You will be able to login to Canvas about two weeks prior to the start of your class. However, your course becomes available as of 1 AM on the official course start date.

Logging In

Log in to your Canvas course space at bucks.instructure.com

  • Username: Your username is the same for every system at Bucks.
  • Password: your Bucks Network password (used to log into any Bucks campus computer or to access any Bucks Library online database from off campus.)

If you do not know your Bucks Username, you can retrieve it by using the Find Your Username Form. Enter your Name, Birthday (mm/dd/yyyy) and either your 7 digit student ID number OR your social security number, then click Submit. Your Bucks username will display on the screen.

Note: Students are uploaded to Canvas several times a day. If you registered late, you won't be able to access Canvas until the next upload takes place.


Purchasing Your Books and Other Course Materials

While you may purchase your books and other course materials from the provider of your choice (using the ISBN number available through the course's academic department where applicable to ensure the correct version), both the campus bookstore and our online bookstore, guarantee that they stock the correct version for your course.

Approximately 3 weeks prior to the start of the session you can use the link below to see the list of books that have been selected by your instructor. If you have any questions about the course materials listed, please contact your instructor or the academic department directly.

Click this link to see the book list for your course.


Other Information about the Course

Course Information for COMP110.E61 Spring 2018 (last updated 10/5/16)

My name is Michael Hennessey, and it is my pleasure to be your instructor for this course.  This page carries the basic information you will need to start the course successfully, including how to contact me. 

Students who have never used Canvas  must complete the student tutorials available on the college's Canvas site prior to the start of the semester.  These tutorials, along with the first week's assignments, will serve as your orientation and facilitate your success in the course.  Until the semester starts, please check this course information page through Online Learning for updates.  If you decide to register for this class, you must USE YOUR BCCC STUDENT EMAIL TO let me know that you have read this page, and that you understand all the information.

Catalog Course Description

English Composition I emphasizes the systematic study of writing effective expository prose and argumentation, stressing development and support of a clear thesis. Essays must demonstrate careful thinking, ability to synthesize sources, and must employ appropriate diction, sentence sense, and standard organizational strategies. Reading assignments will provide models of effective writing and support for student compositions.

You, Me, and Online Learning

Other than being conducted mostly in cyberspace, the course will be substantially the same as face-to-face sections. The primary distinctions are that asynchronous, online discussions will take the place of face-to-face discussions and that the student will bear greater responsibility for keeping pace with course work. Other than that, the standards and expectations will be identical to those of a traditional classroom. This means we will be creating a nurturing writing community based on discussion and considerate, yet incisive, peer criticism.  

Students must already be computer literate, must have easy access to a reliable computer and the Internet. If you are not comfortable using a computer & word processors or navigating the Web, or sending email with attachments, this course is NOT for you.  Internet access difficulties or computer technology problems do NOT absolve you from course responsibilities. You should plan for alternate Internet and computer access PRIOR to the start of classes.

Basic Course Requirements The first few weeks of the course will feature intensive reading and familiarization with technical issues related to posting to and retrieving assignments from the course space. If you do not complete the first weeks' assignments, you have a very difficult time passing the course. 

After the first few weeks, the reading gets a little lighter, but the intensive writing starts. For the most part, every week we will read about writing arguments plus 1 or 2 essays in the texts or online. Then we will discuss what we have read by writing college-level, paragraph-length responses on the discussion board. These responses are mandatory and will count for your participation grade. Your seven major essays will usually be in response to the readings and will add up to above the 5000 word minimum department requirement. In addition, for most papers, you will submit drafts for my review, which will be graded. Students will also need Proctored Testing for two department-mandated in-class essay assignments during weeks 9 and 13. For guidelines, see http://www.bucks.edu/bucks-online/support/testing/alternativeproctors/ . You will have a 5-day window in which to fulfill these requirements. A detailed course format and schedule will be available the first day of the semester.

Online Learning is an exciting and challenging format in which to teach and learn composition. But keep in mind that this is not an independent study course: there will be definite deadlines for posting to the discussion board and for submitting assignments, usually twice a week. In addition to perseverance, common characteristics for the successful Online Learning student are self-motivation, discipline, the ability to troubleshoot technical problems, and good time management. Students should be prepared to spend 9 - 12 hours per week on this class, as with most college courses. I also will be dedicating this much time to the class and will make myself available to you as much as possible. I am looking forward to our experience.

Texts and Materials If you are ordering the text online, do so well in advance of the start of the semester since you will need them in the first week of classes.  The textbooks may be purchased at the Newtown campus bookstore or from the usual online sources.

Required
  • Writing Commons: Free text available at http://writingcommons.org/open-text 
  • Sin Boldly!: Dr. Dave's Guide to Writing the College Paper, 2nd Edition (Paperback, 2004, $14.99 list, as little as $2 used)
Please Note:

I look forward to working with you all! If you decide to register for this class, YOU MUST USE YOUR BCCC STUDENT EMAIL TO let me know that you have read and understand all the information. You must email me this acknowledgment in order to gain full access to our Canvas space.

Yours truly,

Michael Hennessey Bucks County Community College Language & Literature Dept. Grupp Hall 139 215-968-8164 hennesse@bucks.edu