Course Outline

School:

Advancement

Department:

English and ESL

Course Title:

College Communications 1 (ESL)

Course Code:

COMM 161

Course Hours/Credits:

42

Prerequisites:

COMM 141, EAPP 301, EAPP 302,

EAPP 303, EAPP 304, ELL 501, ELL
502, ELL 503, ELL 504

Co-requisites:

N/A

Eligible for Prior Learning,

Assessment and Recognition:

N/A

Originated by:

Lucy Valentino

Creation Date:

Summer 2005

Revised by:

Michelle Buuck, Kerry Bigelow, and

Karen Hill

Revision Date:

Summer 2015

Current Semester:

Fall 2015

Approved by:

Chairperson/Dean

Students are expected to review and understand all areas of the course outline.
Retain this course outline for future transfer credit applications. A fee may be charged for
additional copies.
This course outline is available in alternative formats upon request.

COMM 161

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE

College Communications 1 (ESL)

Course Description
The course introduces the standards of college-level English. It enables the student to develop skills in
grammar, sentence variety, paragraph development, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. These are
language skills which are essential to success in college programs and professional life. Understanding
cultural references related to studying, working and living in a Canadian context will be embedded
throughout the course. COMM 161 is designed for second language learners and is taught by a T.E.S.L.
(Teacher of English as a Second Language) trained professor.

Program Outcomes
N/A

Course Learning Outcomes

The student will reliably demonstrate the ability to:
1. analyze readings for main and subordinate ideas, organization, purpose, audience, tone, and style;
2. develop reading skills to distinguish fact from opinion and infer meaning;
3. respond to questions on the readings using an introductory statement, complete sentences and
paraphrasing;
4. apply critical thinking skills to compose well-written academic paragraphs for a specific purpose and
audience in response to a reading, while acknowledging the source;
5. compose a mini essay in response to a specified reading; and
6. apply editing and proofreading skills to revise written assignments for sentence variety and proper
grammar and mechanics.

Essential Employability Skills (EES)

The student will reliably demonstrate the ability to*:
1. Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, and visual form that fulfills the
purpose and meets the needs of the audience.
11. Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.
*There are 11 Essential Employability Skills outcomes as per the Ministry Program Standard. Of these 11 outcomes, the following will be
assessed in this course.

Global Citizenship and Equity (GC&E) Outcomes

The student will reliably demonstrate the ability to*:
1. Identify one's roles and responsibilities as a global citizen in personal and professional life.
*There are 6 institutional Global Citizenship & Equity outcomes. Of these 6 outcomes, the following will be assessed in this course.

Text and other Instructional/Learning Materials

Text Book(s):
Engkent, L. (2012). Skills set: Strategies for reading and writing in the Canadian classroom (second
edition). Toronto: Oxford University Press.
ISBN: 9780195441697

THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar)

COMM 161

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE

College Communications 1 (ESL)

College level dictionary recommended

Evaluation Scheme
Reading Writing Test #1: Reading Writing Test #1 is an in-class evaluation in which students will
answer questions on 2-3 readings discussed in class and they will write an extended paragraph with
reference to one of the readings.This test may be delivered in one or two parts, as determined by the
professor.
Midterm : The Midterm is an in-class evaluation in which students will answer questions on 1-2
readings and write one extended paragraph in response to the reading. The readings will be
assigned the week before the test.
Revision Assignment: The Revision Assignment requires students to revise their extended
paragraph from the Midterm.
Presentations: In the Individual/Group Presentations students will analyze a short essay from the
text in terms of content and style. Students will have the opportunity to submit the presentations online, as determined by the professor.
Reading Writing Test #2: Reading Writing Test #2 is an in-class evaluation in which students will
write a mini essay in response to a reading. The reading will be assigned the week before the test.
Final Test: The Final Test is an in-class evaluation in which students will write a mini essay in
response to a sight reading.
Evaluation Name
Reading Writing Test #1
Midterm
Revision Assignment
Presentations
Reading Writing Test #2
Final Test
Total

CLO(s)
1, 2, 3, 4, 6
1, 2, 3, 4, 6
4, 6
1, 2, 6
1, 2, 4, 5, 6
1, 2, 4, 5, 6

EES
GCE
Weight/100
Outcome(s) Outcome(s)
1, 11
20
1, 11
20
1, 11
10
1, 11
1
10
1, 11
20
1, 11
20
100%

If students are unable to write a test they should immediately contact their professor or program Chair for
advice. In exceptional and well documented circumstances (e.g. unforeseen family problems, serious
illness, or death of a close family member), students may be able to write a make-up test.
All submitted work may be reviewed for authenticity and originality utilizing Turnitin. Students who do not
wish to have their work submitted to Turnitin must, by the end of the second week of class,
communicate this in writing to the instructor and make mutually agreeable alternate arrangements.
When writing tests, students must be able to produce official College photo identification or they may be
refused the right to take the test or test results will be void.

Student Accommodation
It is College Policy to provide accommodation based on grounds defined in the Ontario Human Rights
Code. Accommodation may include modifications to standard practices. Students with disabilities who
require academic accommodations must register with the Centre for Students with Disabilities. Students
requiring accommodation based on other human rights grounds should talk with their professors as early
as possible. Please see the Student Accommodation Policy.
THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar)

COMM 161

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE

College Communications 1 (ESL)

Use of Dictionaries

Any dictionary (hard copy or electronic) may be used in regular class work.

Program or School Policies

N/A

Course Policies
Students who have missed a test and present documented evidence of their absence upon returning to
class are permitted to do an alternate assessment, typically completing the assessment within two weeks
of returning to class. Students are strongly advised to contact the professor before the scheduled test
date. Students who do not contact the professor within 24 hours of the missed class and do not present
the documented evidence will receive a mark of zero for the assessment. Make-up assessments will not
be given.
Assignments are due on their due dates. Students who are unable to submit an out-of-class assignment
on the day it is due must inform the professor on or before the due date. A mark of 10% will be deducted
for each day past the due date unless an alternate due date has been negotiated. A hard copy of the
assignment should be presented to the professor for grading and feedback; however, an electronic copy
may first be submitted as proof that the work has been completed. There will be no make-up
assignments.

College Policies
Students should familiarize themselves with all College Policies that cover academic matters and student
conduct.
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from
discrimination and harassment and promotes respect and equity. Centennial policies ensure all incidents
of harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence will be addressed and responded to accordingly.
Academic honesty is integral to the learning process and a necessary ingredient of academic integrity.
Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, and impersonation. All of these occur when the work
of others is presented by a student as their own and/or without citing sources of information. Breaches of
academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment/course, suspension or expulsion from
the college.
For more information on these and other policies, please visit www.centennialcollege.ca/aboutcentennial/college-overview/college-policies.
Students enrolled in a joint or collaborative program are subject to the partner institution's academic
policies.

THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar)

COMM 161

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE

College Communications 1 (ESL)

PLAR Process
This course is eligible for PLAR.
This course outline and its associated weekly topical(s) may not be reproduced, in whole or in
part, without the prior permission of Centennial College.

THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar)

COMM 161

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE

Semester:
Section Code:
Meeting Time & Location:

Fall 2015
010
Mondays, 10:30 - 1:20

Professor Name:
Contact Information:

College Communications 1 (ESL)

Mahdi Zanganeh
mzangane@my.centennialcollege.ca

Topical Outline (subject to change):

Week
1

Topics
Introduction to
COMM 161
Pre-course Writing
Sample

Principles of
Academic Writing
and Reading Skills

Readings/Materials
Reading:
-Course Outline
-Weekly Topical

Instructional
Strategies
Discuss the purpose and goals of the course Teacher-led
instructions,
Complete a pre-course writing assessment of individual/partner work
reading and writing skills

Exercise:
Pre-course Writing
Define plagiarism
Sample
(required but not
graded)
Reading: "Over Here, Discuss differences in academic and
I Rarely Lift a Finger" conversational language in the assigned
303-305
reading

Language skills
-sentence writing,
verb forms

Weekly Learning Outcome(s)

Unit 1 Writing Skills 1- Respond to questions on a reading using

18
complete sentences and ones own words
while demonstrating a control of grammar
Unit 8 Reading Skills rules
238-243
Define new vocabulary, idioms and colloquial
Exercises:
expressions in the assigned readings
Writing skills:
10-12, 14-17
Identify parts of speech
Reading Skills: 305309
Language skills:
62-67
Academic
Reading:
Identify and discuss the components of
Paragraph Structure "Those Mooching,
paragraph structure
Deadbeat Guests of
Developing
Summer" 310-312
Recognize and formulate a proper topic
Paragraph Writing
sentence
Skills
Unit 4 Paragraph
Writing Skills 114-132 Recognize main ideas and supporting details
Language Skills:
- sentence writing
Exercises:
Distinguish opinion from fact

THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar)

Evaluation
Name

Evaluation
Date

Teacher-led
instructions, individual
work, group work,
class discussions, and
exercises

Teacher-led
instructions, individual
work, group work,
class discussions, and
exercises

COMM 161

Week

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE

Topics
- sentence writing
skills

Readings/Materials
Exercises:
Writing skills:
119 -131
Reading skills:
310-316
Language skills:
68-69

Academic
Reading:
Paragraph Structure "Internet Addiction:
Con't
New-Age Diagnosis or
Symptom of Age old
Developing
Problem?" 274-276
Paragraph Writing
"Technology and the
Skills Con't
Generational Divide"
284-285
Language Skills:
-sentence writing
Unit 4 Paragraph
skills, using
Writing Skills con't
coordinating
132-143
conjunctions
Exercises:
Writing skills:
132-133,135-138
Reading skills:
277-279
Language skills:
82-89
Review:
Readings: (2/3 of the
following)
Paragraph structure
"Over Here I Rarely
Responding to
Lift a Finger"303-305
Content Questions
"Those Mooching
Deadbeat Guests of
Summer"310-312
"Internet
Addiction"274-276

Responding to a
Reading

For in-class use:

Reading:

Weekly Learning Outcome(s)

College Communications 1 (ESL)

Instructional
Strategies

Evaluation
Name

Evaluation
Date

Distinguish opinion from fact

Identify audience and purpose
Recognize and correct verb problems in
writing
Infer and discuss meaning from the assigned Teacher-led
reading
instructions, individual
work, group work,
Apply the principles of developing ideas in
class discussions,
response to readings and acknowledging the exercises
author/source
Produce a paragraph outline using sample
paragraphs
Write compound sentences using appropriate
coordinating conjunctions

Write answers to questions on readings using Teacher-led review

complete sentences, ones own words and
proper grammar
-individual work for
test to be evaluated
Compose a structured and coherent
paragraph to support a topic sentence in
response to a reading, while acknowledging
the author/source
Apply the skills of editing and proofreading to
compose, revise and edit a paragraph

Reading
Writing Test
#1-20%
(reading
questions on
2-3 readings
studied in
class,
extended
paragraph
responding to
one reading)

Use critical thinking skills to respond orally to Teacher led mini

questions on readings of increasing difficulty lecture

THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar)

COMM 161

Week

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE

Topics
Oral Presentation
Skills
Assign Group
Presentations
Language Skills
-sentence writing
skills-subordination,
adjective clauses,
combining
sentences, adverb
clauses

Responding to a
Reading in
Academic Writing

Unit 8 Reading Skills

255-258

Discuss oral presentation skills and group

work

Evaluation
Name

Evaluation
Date

Group work on
reading

Exercises:
Reading/writing skills:
332-336
Language skills:
89,91,99

Review: Academic
Paragraph Writing

Reading:

Use critical thinking skills to write answers to

questions on an assigned reading

Responding to
Reading Questions

Readings for Midterm

from text
Compose a well-structured and well- TBA week 7
developed paragraph in response to the
reading and with reference to the
author/source

Acknowledging the
Author and/or
Source

Instructional
Strategies

Correct fragment and run-on sentence errors Informal group

presentations on
Practice writing complex and compoundreading response
complex sentences in response to reading
(practice)
questions

Distinguish between using paraphrasing and

summarizing in paragraph writing

Language Skills:
-sentence writing
skills

White Tops,Grey
Bottoms 330-332
"Clothing
Controversies"336337

Weekly Learning Outcome(s)

For in-class use:

Reading:
"The Battle of the
Bag"291-292

Acknowledging the
Author and/or
Source

Readings/Materials

College Communications 1 (ESL)

Teacher led mini

lecture

Recognize and apply the usage of attribution Group work on

(acknowledging the author)
paraphrasing content
Unit 8 Reading Skills
questions on reading
246-255
Use direct and indirect speech in writing
responses to reading questions appropriately Informal group
Exercises:
presentations on
Reading /writing skills: Explain plagiarism and its consequences on reading response
249-50,252
academic success
(practice)
292-296
Teacher-led review

Midterm - 20%

-individual work for

test to be evaluated

(reading
questions on
readings from
text assigned
but not taught
week 7,
extended
paragraph
responding to
reading)

Apply editing and proofreading strategies to

revise a paragraph

Mini Essay Structure Reading: The Family Identify relationships between paragraph and Teacher-led
Meal 150-151
mini essay formats
instructions, individual

THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar)

COMM 161

Week

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE

Topics

Readings/Materials

Language Skills
-using point form for Sample Essays
outlining, editing and 166-170
proofreading skills
1.The definition of
success
2.The success of fast
food restaurants
3.The benefits of
McJobs
4. What McJobs have
taught me

Weekly Learning Outcome(s)

Identify components of essay structure
Recognize and analyze an effective thesis
statement

College Communications 1 (ESL)

Instructional
Strategies
work, group work,
class Teacher-led
instructions, individual
work, group work,
class discussions,
exercises

Evaluation
Name

Evaluation
Date

Practice writing thesis statements

Discuss academic essay structure of
assigned readings

Unit 5 Essay Writing

Skills 145-163

10

Exercises:
Language skills:
206-212
Mini Essay Structure Readings:
cont.
Sample Essays
183-205
Essay Writing Skills
1.Three kinds of
Language Skills:
drivers
-sentence variety
2.Tsunamis 101
3.Looking for a job
4.Why we need to pay
taxes
5.Technology and
children
Unit 5 Essay Writing
Skills 157-166
Unit 6 Rhetorical
Skills 180-205

11

Review :

Plan, prepare and deliver /submit an oral

presentation

Teacher led minilecture

Group
Presentations
Due (On-line
Distinguish between personal and impersonal Group work --Student option)-10%
writing
presentations on
course content
Discuss the different modes of writing
Analyze and discuss sample essays for
academic structure
Practice writing short introductions, body
paragraphs and a conclusion
Recognize and correct punctuation errors in a
variety of sentences

Exercises:
Reading/Writing
skills:162
Readings: TBA

Compose a mini essay with a short

introduction, thesis, body paragraphs and
Mini Essay Structure (Reading for test TBA conclusion in response to a reading
week 10)

THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar)

Teacher led minilecture

Reading
Writing Test
#2-20%

COMM 161

Week

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE

Topics

Readings/Materials

Writing introductions
with a thesis and
conclusions

Weekly Learning Outcome(s)

College Communications 1 (ESL)

Instructional
Strategies

Apply the skills of editing and proofreading to

revise and edit a mini essay

Language Skills:
-editing and
proofreading
12

Academic Reading
and Writing Skills
Language Skills:
editing

Readings:
Sight reading from
week 11
Practice Final Test

Discuss reading and writing in terms of

structure and content

Writing Skills:
In-class editing and
revision exercise
based on Pre-course
Writing Sample

Use proper punctuation, including commas, to

correct errors in a variety of sentence
structures

Evaluation
Name
(write a mini
essay in
response to a
sight reading,
reading is
assigned but
not taught in
week 10)

Evaluation
Date

Teacher-led
Group activity

Analyze and rewrite student writing samples

Exercises:
Language skills:
212-237

13

COMM 161 Final

Test

Review sentence
structure in paragraph
development using
examples from precourse writing sample
COMM 161 Final Test Compose a mini essay with a short
introduction, thesis, body paragraphs and
conclusion in response to a reading
Apply critical thinking skills to respond to the
reading and while acknowledging the
author/source

Teacher-led
Final Test
instructions, individual 20%
work, group work,
class Teacher-led
instructions, individual
work, group work,
class discussions,
exercises

Apply the skills of editing and proofreading to

revise the mini essay
14

Proofreading and
Editing

Review Final Test

Recognize and apply proper usage of

grammar, structure, and individual
components of the paragraph structure

THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar)

Teacher-led
Revision
instructions, individual Assignment work, group work,
10%
class Teacher-led
10

COMM 161

Week

CENTENNIAL COLLEGE

Topics

Readings/Materials

THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar)

Weekly Learning Outcome(s)

College Communications 1 (ESL)

Instructional
Strategies
instructions, individual
work, group work,
class discussions,
exercises

Evaluation
Name
(extended
paragraph
revision with
sentence
structure
analysis)

Evaluation
Date

11