Course Syllabus

Instructors

Vicky Williams vlwilliams@stcloudstate.edu
Gretchen Starks-Martin gastarks@stcloudstate.edu
Cari Kenner cmkenner@stcloudstate.edu
Nancy Mills nfmills@stcloudstate.edu
Deborah Biorn drbiorn@stcloudstate.edu

Office

2nd Floor Centennial Hall, 308-4993
Academic Learning Center
http://www.stcloudstate.edu/alc/

Required Texts:

1. McWhorter, Efficient & Flexible Reading, 8^th Edition
   Companion Web site for this text: http://wps.ablongman.com/long_mcwhorter_efr_8
2. Johnson and Gamer, Advanced Word Power, 1999

Course Content

Reading efficiency and flexibility through literal and critical comprehension refinement and metacognitive strategy improvement, with a vocabulary and concentration emphasis.

Course Objectives:

To model, instruct, and provide practice in applying metacognitive learning approaches to college level reading material and course content:

1. To help students develop and refine concrete and abstract vocabulary including denotative and connotative word meanings.
2. To encourage reading textbooks and other reading material in a critical and evaluative manner.
3. To see how language affects our attitudes and perceptions of our world.
4. To learn that a variety of reading approaches may be applied to different types of material in order to read flexibly and efficiently.
5. To see how tone, source, attitude and inference affects our ability to read objectively.

Grading Policy:

Students have a choice of two types of grading, A-D/F or S/U. Requests for S/U grading must be submitted in writing by the end of week two. Student may not change their grade choice once it has been made. Students who choose S/U grading must maintain a "C" average in all their work. 90% of total points equals "A" work for this class, 80% = B, 70% of total points = C.

Assignments:

Students will demonstrate understanding of concepts by completing specific assignments relating to these concepts. Instruction sheets will be available on D2L.

Labs:

Students will complete a specific number of in-class labs on the topics of rate, comprehension, vocabulary and critical reading.

Tests:

1. Pre- and Post-Reading Tests: These tests are used to help student determine beginning and ending reading levels of proficiency in vocabulary, comprehension, and rate. Both tests are required.
2. Objective Comprehension Tests on concepts discussed in class and in McWhorter.
   Exams I and II: Literal Comprehension & Reading Strategies
   Exam III: Critical Comprehension
3. Vocabulary Tests: 30 points each

Attendance:

Students will be given 10 points extra credit for perfect attendance and 5 points for one miss. Points will be deducted for late work and late tests.  

Special Needs

Students with any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in class, are encouraged to inform the instructor at the beginning of the semester, and adaptation of methods and materials will be made to ensure every student of an equitable experience. Students with disabilities should also contact Student Disability Services, Centennial Hall 202, 308-4080, to see what additional help is available.

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