English 100 

Required: Placement based on multiple measure assessment that demonstrates placement at the English 100 level or successful completion of English 40 with a C or better.

Welcome! You are either enrolled in, or you are interested in enrolling in, the English 100 Distance Education class. As described in the class schedule, an introduction to the fundamental techniques and rhetorical devices necessary to effective expository prose, with emphasis on paragraph development, outlining, organization, and revision leading to the multiple-paragraph essay. This course is designed primarily for students preparing for ENGL 101.

What do I need to know about Distance Ed?

While this class does not have mandatory orientation, if you are new to Distance Education, Citrus College offers both an open house (see the Distanece Ed website for more information on this event) and an online orientation which can be found at the following link: (http://www.citruscollege.edu/de/Pages/OnlineOrientation.aspx). These resources are designed to help you determine if this form of learning will work for you. I encourage you to take advantage of these resources to help you make that decision and to be better prepared for the experience.

Class Textbooks

There are three textbooks for this class that are sold as a bundle at a reduced rate through the Owl Bookshop. They are:

1. Mirror on America, 4th Edition, by Joan T. Mims and Elizabeth M. Nollen. This is the book that contains all the essay readings for the class.
2. Writing and Revising, by X. J. Kennedy, Dorothy M. Kennedy, and Marcia F. Muth. This is a book that provides information about the writing process and strategies for writing and revising essays.
3. Easy Writer, by Andrea A. Lunsford. This is a handbook that explains grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules as well as information about how to properly quote others in your papers.

What can you expect in this class?

This class focuses on a repetitive process of reading, discussing what we've read, and writing about what we've read. The class is "thematic," meaning that the readings are related to an overall theme. Class work will consist of reading, active reading activities (which will be explained and practiced as part of the class), discussion of the readings, drafting essays, giving and receiving peer responses on the class essays, and receiving and responding to my comments on essay drafts.

Blackboard

This class will use Blackboard as our online learning system. Go to the About Blackboard page for more information. You should be able to access the class site during the first week of class if you are officially enrolled in the class. If you experience problems logging in, email me at rrudd@citruscollege.edu so we can resolve any issues you are having with Blackboard immediately.

First Week Steps:

During the first four days of the semester (August 31 through September 3), send me an email at rrudd@citruscollege.edu to acknowledge that you are enrolled in the class. As soon as possible, get on the class Blackboard site and read through the class syllabus, paying special attention to the class schedule which indicates when certain tasks need to be completed. Let me know immediately if you have any problems accessing course materials.

I am looking forward to helping you to meet your academic goals and to be successful in this class. Online courses especially depend on good communication between students and the instructor, so be sure to keep an open line of communication going so you get the support you need when you need it!

• Update email on WingSpan so it will transfer to Blackboard
• Your WingSpan ID becomes your Blackboard Username
• Your WingSpan PIN number (six digits only) becomes your Blackboard password
• To change these on Blackboard requires you change them on WingSpan
• Data will be transferred from WingSpan to Blackboard on a regular basis

Once you get to the welcome page, click on the Fundamentals of Composition  course link on the right, and you will go to the course site. Please be familiarized yourself with the course site and if you have any questions please email your instructor with your concern. Get your textbook and get started with your initial assignments. A major key to your success in this course will be keeping up with both the reading and the other assignments.   

If you have a disability documented by a physician or other appropriate professional and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact the DSP&S office at (626) 914-8675. Please discuss your accommodations with me by email and be sure to allow at least one week to arrange appropriate accommodations.