Course Syllabus

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Academic Reading & Writing

Course Information

  • ENGLISH C1000 (Formerly ENGL 100) ML
    • Term: Fall 2025 LATE START, September 2 - December 13, 2025
  • Course number: 3301  
  • Asynchronous online format. No required meetings.
  • Instructor: Enza Scaduto.  My pronouns: she, her, hers
  • Units: 4
    • Prerequisite: ACE 50, ESL 50, ENGL 50 or eligibility determined by the English placement process.
  • Enrollment Limitation: ENGL 52 or Concurrent enrollment in ENGL 52 if prerequisite not met. NCENG 52. Concurrent enrollment in NCENG 52 if prerequisite not met.
  • Not open to students with prior credit in ENGL 100H, ENGL C1000

 

Communication Guidelines

Student Drop-in Hour: Fridays, 4:30-5:30 pm (PST), in Zoom: 

Drop-In Hours are times you can meet with your instructor to discuss the material being covered in class, questions or concerns you might have, and other related issues. In general, Drop-in Hours will be relatively unstructured. Depending on how many students join, we may work one-on-one, together as a small group, or simultaneously in breakout rooms. Join the Zoom meeting during Drop-in Hour times using the link provided in Canvas. Feel free to join even if you don’t have any questions.

Zoom link. Please log in using your name as it appears on the class roster: 

https://miracosta-edu.zoom.us/j/8928483081



Contact information:

  • Email: pscaduto@miracosta.edu . Please contact me through the Inbox function in Canvas.
    • If your question or comment is nonpersonal and of a general course matter, please post it to the dedicated Help Forum. This way other participants can help answer questions, and all participants will benefit from the answers.
    • Please use the Inbox or see me online during Student Drop-in Hour if your question or concern is more of a personal nature or if you are unable to get a response in the Help Forum.
    • I typically respond to messages received Monday through Friday within 48 hours, except for weekends and holidays. 

 

Course Description

In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research.

By building upon student experiences and validating them as creators of knowledge, this course helps students believe in their innate capacity to learn. Students develop critical reading, thinking, and writing strategies for a variety of communication situations through an engagement with course content that is reflective of a racially just curriculum and that supports the principles of a Hispanic Serving Institution designation. 

ML Designation: Although any eligible student is welcome in this class, this section is specially designed to meet the needs of students from multilingual/ESL backgrounds.

Please be sure your email address connected to the College is current. If you forget your SURF ID or password, please go to the Student Help Desk at http://www.miracosta.edu/studentservices/studenthelp/index.html 

Please take the time to read this syllabus carefully, and come to me with any questions or concerns.

Learning Outcomes

  • At the end of instruction in English 100, students will be able to compose focused claims that provide readers with a clear, logical progression of ideas.
  • At the end of instruction in English 100, students will be able to integrate a variety of source materials to validate claims in audience-aware arguments.
  • At the end of English 100, students will be able to interpret texts with an awareness of the ways their cultural and/or personal experiences inform their reading.

For more information, read the MiraCosta Core Competencies.

Performance Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:

  1. Read analytically to understand and respond to diverse academic texts.
  2. Compose thesis-driven academic writing that demonstrates analysis and synthesis of sources as appropriate to the rhetorical situation.
  3. Demonstrate strategies for planning, outlining, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading written work.
  4. Apply a variety of rhetorical strategies in writing unified, well-organized compositions with support
  5. Analyze stylistic choices in their own writing and the writing of others.
  6. Find, analyze, and integrate primary and secondary sources through summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting using appropriate documentation.
  7. Reflect and analyze through the recursive nature of the reading and writing process.

 

Instructional Approach

Weekly Tasks 

This online course is arranged chronologically and employs a modular design in Canvas. Most of the week’s tasks are due no later than the following Monday at 6:00 am (PST). Each new week’s module unlocks before Sunday.  Due dates for each week's assignments are listed on the Overview Page, and on the actual assignments. Tasks within the modules may direct students to use various tools in and outside of Canvas.

Asynchronous Instruction

This course is delivered entirely online. No scheduled online or on-campus meetings are required. Although most of the requirements in the course are completed  asynchronously, on your own schedule, they do have firm deadlines. Please be mindful of the due dates, as not all assignments can be submitted late.  I monitor attendance and participation, and will contact you when necessary, but you are responsible for completing assignments on time and participating regularly. If you decide to leave the course, please drop officially before the withdrawal deadline to avoid getting an F on your transcript.

AI Usage Policy

In this course, students are permitted to use AI tools to assist in generating ideas, structuring arguments, and refining their writing. Generative AI, a type of artificial intelligence, can create new content such as text, images, or code by analyzing and learning from existing data. These tools can act as writing partners, offering suggestions and helping to brainstorm, but they should not replace your own efforts.

Directly copying and pasting AI-generated content is not acceptable. You are encouraged to engage critically with the material and use AI to enhance your creativity and reasoning. The final submission must reflect your unique voice, understanding, and insights. Remember that the goal is to develop your skills as a writer and thinker, so use AI as a resource, not a crutch.

Tips for Using AI Effectively:

  1. Start with Your Ideas: Before turning to AI, outline your thoughts and main points. This ensures that the AI complements your thinking rather than dictating it.
  2. Ask Specific Questions: Use AI to clarify concepts, suggest alternative phrasings, or explore different perspectives. The more precise your prompts, the more useful the AI’s responses will be.
  3. Critically Evaluate Suggestions: Don’t accept AI-generated content at face value. Assess its relevance and accuracy, and adapt it to fit your argument and style.
  4. Blend AI with Your Own Writing: Use AI suggestions as a starting point. Modify, expand, and refine the content to make it your own.
  5. Cite When Appropriate: If you use AI to generate content that significantly influences your work, consider acknowledging it in your references, depending on the guidelines provided for your assignments.

By following these tips, you can use AI as a tool to enhance your learning and creativity while ensuring that your work remains authentic and uniquely yours.

Google Drive Requirement

I require each writing assignment to be drafted and developed on a single Google Doc. 

Begin your first draft in this file and keep working in the same document until your final draft is complete. This way, everything is in one place from start to finish.

Google Docs automatically saves every change you make. This allows me to follow your writing process step-by-step, which is an important part of your grade. Drafting and revising show how your ideas grow and improve.

However, if you paste a full essay or large paragraphs without showing steps of revision or development, I cannot confirm whether or how you wrote the work. In that case, I will not be able to give you a passing score..

You will need  Google Drive also for the Digital Portfolio requirement. The following link has video instructions on how to use Google Drive: https://youtu.be/82CUzgqUxKU 

About Student Conduct

On campus or online, my classroom  is a safe place for everyone to share and discuss ideas in an open, civil and respectful manner. Please read the Student Code of Conduct for the list of behaviors that are not allowed in this class. Know your rights and responsibilities.

Required Materials

Google Drive Account

Books

Note: We may not need all three of the following no-cost textbooks, but please be prepared to access them if and when needed:

Technical Requirements

  • The technical requirements for most online classes include access to a computer with a modern operating system and a supported web browser.

Labor-Based Grading Policy

Your overall grade this semester will be primarily based on the effort and participation you put into the class, rather than just the final results of your assignments.

This grading policy encourages you to view assignments as part of a learning process instead of one-time tasks. You will have opportunities for multiple revisions and ongoing engagement, with a focus on improvement over time. One benefit of this policy is reduced stress, allowing you to concentrate on learning rather than striving for a "perfect" final product. 

Everyone in this class starts with a C, which is a passing grade. To maintain that grade, you must:

  • Participate in class every week as required.
  • Complete all assignments, meeting basic criteria.
  • Achieve the Course Learning Outcomes. See the Syllabus.
  • Submit all tasks on time. Please contact me right away if you have difficulty meeting a deadline.

Your grade will drop if you don't participate consistently, miss deadlines, or put insufficient effort into your work.

To summarize: Attend regularly, complete all the work on time, and you pass the course! 

The more effort and engagement you put in your work, the higher its quality will be, increasing your chances of earning a B or higher. Please see the grading rubric attached to every writing assignment for specific expectations.

The following categories represent the types of labor expected in this course. Successful completion of each category contributes to your overall labor-based grade.

Tasks and Expectations

Reading and Interpretation 20%

Expectation: Consistently complete assigned readings, annotate key ideas, and engage with texts through discussion boards, reflective responses, and informal writing.

Writing, Composing, and Revising  40%

Expectation: Complete all writing assignments, including drafts, revisions, and final submissions, according to the course schedule. Focus on developing claims, logical progression of ideas, and meeting the basic criteria of the assignments.

Collaboration 15%

Expectation: Actively participate in peer review sessions by providing detailed, constructive feedback on peers’ work, and using peer feedback to revise your own writing.

Reflection and Self-Assessment 15%

Expectation: Regularly reflect on your writing process, progress, and the labor you have invested in the course. Complete self-assessment reports after each major assignment.

Participation and Consistency 10%

Expectation: Consistently participate in course activities and maintain regular communication with me when deadlines or tasks are challenging.

Labor-Based Grading Tiers:

  • A Range (90-100%): Exceptional effort and consistent, thorough engagement in all areas. You have participated fully, completed all assignments on time, revised multiple times, and shown a commitment to improving the quality of your work.
  • B Range (80-89%): Strong effort with only minor lapses in participation or meeting deadlines. You have completed all revisions, engaged meaningfully in peer reviews, and shown steady progress.
  • C Range (70-79%): Satisfactory effort, meeting the basic requirements of the course. You have participated regularly, completed all assignments, and demonstrated a basic understanding of the course material.
  • D Range (60-69%): Inconsistent participation and completion of required labor. Some assignments may be missing or submitted late. Minimal engagement in peer review and revision processes.
  • F Range (0-59%): Insufficient effort and participation. Several assignments are missing, deadlines are frequently missed, and engagement in the course is minimal.

About Academic Integrity

In an environment that promotes the free exchange of ideas, research, and cooperative, collaborative learning, it is important always to acknowledge sources appropriately. Failure to do so can lead to severe consequences. Avoid any of the following:

  • Cheating: Copying from another student or using unauthorized aids. 
  • Plagiarizing: Copying someone else’s work or ideas and misrepresenting them as one’s own. This includes using someone else’s exact words without proper citation. Direct copying and pasting AI generated text is also considered plagiarism. 
  • Falsification: Making up fictitious information and presenting it as factual or altering records for the purpose of misrepresentation. 

Important Dates

  • The financial aid, no-W, add/drop deadline is September 12.
  • The deadline to choose the Pass/No Pass option is December 13.
    • If you choose the P/NP option, you must submit a Petition for Pass/No Pass to Admissions & Records by the date specified above. This option is nonreversible once selected. The petition form is available online or from Admissions & Records. If you are planning to transfer, you should consult with a counselor before opting for Pass/No Pass to ensure this option is accepted by your intended transfer institution. Please check the MiraCosta College catalog for more information. 
  • The deadline to drop the class and receive a W is November 18.
    • I clear the roster of any no-shows who are absent during the first week. By absent I mean the student has not logged on in the course and has not completed any of the first week requirements by the due date (Sunday night). If you decide to withdraw anytime after, it is your responsibility to formally drop the course.

About Incomplete Grades

Students seeking a grade of Incomplete must consult with me no later than December 11. A grade of Incomplete will only be considered for students who have completed most of the course work, but experience unforeseeable, emergency and justifiable situations at the end of the term, and only upon agreement of conditions for completing coursework.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact Disabled Students Programs & Services as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely manner. Their phone number is 760.795.6658 and they are located in Building 3000-Student Services, Room 3009, adjacent to Parking lot 3C.

Webpage: Disabled Students Program & Services (DSPS) 

The Writing Center

The Writing Center provides free assistance for any MiraCosta writing assignment at any stage of the writing process. Students can write, read, revise, practice speeches, and seek assistance from writing consultants. Click on the link to find out how it all works:

The Writing Center - Make a WC Appointment

Library Resources

The MiraCosta College faculty librarians assist students with their research questions, whether academic or personal. Students may obtain assistance from librarians either one-on-one at the reference desk, through class orientations, group workshops, individual appointments, or online. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of library resources. More information regarding the library may be found at their webpage: Home - Home - Library at MiraCosta College 

LGBTQIA+ Resources

MiraCosta College has an expressed commitment to equity and inclusion for students, faculty, and staff members who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual. The district employs a Campus Liaison for LGBTQIA+ needs, offers LGBTQIA Safe Space training, and has multiple student scholarships for members and active allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Webpage: LGBTQ Resources 

Quick Links

Course Summary:

Course Summary
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