Hi, my name is Wes (or Professor Sims, if you prefer the more formal option).
This letter is a little peek into what the course will look like. If you have more detailed questions, please email me .
If you are enrolled in the course, please refer (and defer) to the syllabus instead of this Welcome Letter.
This class is a hybrid class. What does that mean?
We will meet in the physical classroom each Tuesday from 5:30-6:50 pm in room 3313 on the SLO campus. Attendance is mandatory for these meetings.
The meeting time above counts for half of our class time each week. The other half will of our classroom meeting will be online through Canvas. This time will be held asynchronously; in other words, there aren't any meeting times. The content and assignments will be available for you to complete at your own pace and time.
Topic Liberation:
This class will be on the topic of liberation from various forms of oppression. In this video Ross Gay talks about joy. We will discuss how joy plays a role in liberation.
VIDEO
Contact info:
Please contact me at carl_sims@cuesta.edu
don't worry that my email says Carl; it goes to me, Wes
My office is 6224 on the SLO campus.
Response time:
I will respond to your emails within 24 hours or one business day at the very latest . If you do not hear back from me, please write me back because I must have missed your email accidentally.
Availability:
When the fall and spring semesters are in session, I will be available during "business hours" from 8-5 Monday through Friday. Outside of those hours, I am not available. See your current syllabus for the times that I hold my office hours.
Hybrid Course Environment: This hybrid course will be using a Web-based Learning Management System Canvas as the method to disseminate information. Canvas provides the framework for the course including lecture material, student data files, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. Using the communication tools, you can communicate using e-mail, and you can share materials and ideas with other course participants via the discussion forums and groups.
Accessing the Course: You will see your course in Canvas on the first day of class. You can access Canvas by clicking on Canvas from the top bar of the Cuesta homepage (www.cuesta.edu), or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/ ) into your browser address bar.
If you are not familiar with logging into canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide. Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page.
If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas after [Enter Date] and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address support@my.cuesta.edu .
Online Learning: If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time, if not more on this course as you would on a course that meets face to face. Since there is no lecture component, much of this time will be self-directed and there will be a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing required. This course is completely online using Canvas; all coursework (discussions, assignments, quizzes) is submitted online. There are no face-to-face meetings. Please be prepared to spend 8 - 12 hours per week on coursework for this class
IS an ONLINE CLASS FOR YOU? Go to the Cuesta College Canvas Tutorial (self-paced) NOT describe you, then taking this class online is NOT for you and I strongly suggest that you drop the online class and enroll in a traditional classroom section.)
Regular Effective Contact policy: Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly instructor initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone or messaging to individuals; and virtual office hours.
College Course Description
Provides instruction in and study of expository and argumentative writing, appropriate and effective use of language, close reading, cogent thinking, research strategies, information literacy, and documentation.
Student Learning Outcomes
Employ close reading strategies to identify and interpret patterns and ideas written in complex texts and to demonstrate comprehension of main and supporting ideas in selected readings.
Develop process-based writing practices that include generating, drafting, and revising to produce clear and persuasive writing.
Write essays that are organized effectively.
Formulate effective strategies to find relevant resources, critically evaluate information in light of its complexities of authority and production, and ethically attribute and skillfully integrate source material.
Write fair and persuasive arguments that assert and support positions, demonstrate audience awareness, and incorporate differing viewpoints.
Text Book and Materials
There are no required textbooks for this class.
Supplemental Materials necessary for the class, as applicable. For example:
Technical Support
Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all technical support inquiries to support@my.cuesta.edu . If you are having issues with Canvas, or email support@instructure.com .
If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.
Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome. This may solve your problem! Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specifications .
Accommodations:
This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources. Please contact the instructor as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services) or at 805-546-3148.
College & Course Policies:
Academic Honesty Policy: In addition to my course policy, please note all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of conduct . at:
Add / Drop Policy:
You will be dropped from the course if:
you fail to log in to our Canvas course for more than 7 days and/or
you have three absences for the in-person classes and/or
you miss one of the in-person classes in the first two weeks of the course. (If you need to miss one of these classes and you want to stay in the class, simply email me before class to let me know that you want to stay in the course.)
In addition to my policy, please review the Cuesta policy for drops
Waitlist Policy: please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructions
English Division Attendance Policy
Attendance is required and directly influences students’ success in every English course. In a 4-unit course, students may not miss more than 8 hours total for a full-length semester course; for a 3-unit course, students may not miss more than 6 hours. Instructors will pro-rate hours accordingly for those courses that meet fewer weeks than a full-length semester course. Students who are not in attendance on the first day of instruction may be dropped unless they notify the instructor in advance of the first class meeting. Students with three consecutive absences or more will be dropped from the course unless the instructor is contacted by the student before or during this period of absences. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the instructor regarding missed classes. It is also the student’s responsibility to drop the course before the drop deadline.
English Division Cellphone Usage Policy
If a cell phone, laptop, or another electronic device is required during a class session due to extenuating circumstances, it is the responsibility of the student to request use of this device with the instructor in advance of the class session. Otherwise, unless directed or permitted by an instructor, cell phone use in class is prohibited, and cell phones must not be visible to the student, their classmates, or the instructor. Students should silence or turn off their cell phones while class is in session. A verbal warning may be issued if a student is on his/her phone during class time. Following a warning, a student may be dismissed from class for the day, and further action may be taken at the instructor’s discretion, such as a student misconduct report being sent to the office of the Vice President of Student Services.
English Division Policy--Adult-Level Course Content
An academic environment based on free and open inquiry is essential to the well-being of our pluralistic, democratic society – and your education as an adult learner. This course will examine potentially controversial subjects and themes in assigned reading, film, discussions, and writing assignments, such as those found in the academic areas of human sexuality, religion, and politics. If you are a student who, for whatever your reasons, may have strong personal reservations about participating in the free and open inquiry into such academic areas of discourse, you may want to meet with me immediately to preview course material to help you decide whether or not you will continue with the class. Otherwise, please be prepared to listen openly and contribute to class discussions without judgment in this college-level course.
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