English Language Institute
                                 George Mason University
 
Course:  Get To Know Virginia    Instructor:  Ellen Kohn (ekohn@gmu.edu)
Semester:  Fall 2001            Office Hours:  TWR  10:30-11:00 in
Time and Location:   Krug 107B and by appointment
MW  2:30-3:20                            703-993-3661
 
Course Description:
In this course you will learn about some famous places and people of
Virginia.  You will also explore the history, geography, government,
economy, culture, and institutions of Virginia.  Over the course of the
semester, you will do a lot of reading and writing as you learn about
Virginia.  You will also be exposed to many new vocabulary words and
Internet websites.  I hope you will have fun learning all about the
Commonwealth of Virginia.
 
Texts and Materials:
The Double Life of Pocahontas by Jean Fritz
Virginia  by Karen Sirvaitis
lined 8 1/2 X 11" paper
folder to keep class materials and maps
blue books (at least 3 large ones)
 
Course Requirements:
1. Regular and prompt class attendance
2. Active class participation
3. Completion of all homework assignments, learning logs, and projects
4. Well-organized folder with class materials and handouts

Grades:
You will receive a letter grade of A (90-100), B (80-89), C (70-79), or
NG (No Grade) (below 70 or more than 4 absences) at the end of the
semester. Your grade will be based on the following:
Homework: 25%
Poster project: 15%
Mid-semester learning logs: 30%
End-of-semester learning logs: 30%
 
 
What are the learning logs?
After every class (starting on Wednesday, September 5 and continuing through Wednesday, November 28), you will write one page (every line) in your blue book telling me about something/some things that you learned in  that class and give me your
reaction to what you learned (e.g. why you enjoyed it, why it was not
very interesting, how it will be useful to you, how you felt after
learning). The due date for the mid-semester learning logs is Thursday,
October 18 (by 3pm).  The due date for the end-of-semester learning logs is
Thursday, November 29 (by 3pm).  You will lose credit if you plagiarize
(copy material word for word), miss entries, hand in your learning log
late, or do not follow directions.

What is the poster project?
You are going to choose any subject (person, place, etc.) related to
the state of Virginia.  You must choose you subject by Wednesday, October 31 and you
must get approval from Ellen. You are going to learn about that subject
by exploring three different resources: (1) an encyclopedia article, (2)
an Internet website, and (3) one other resource that is NOT the
Internet.  You will make a poster explaining what you learned about your
subject.  You cannot plagiarize (copy word for word) from your
resources. You cannot attach printed pages. You must include the names of the three resources on your poster.  You will bring your poster to class on Wednesday, November 28 and be prepared to explain it and answer questions about it.
 
Attendance:
The ELI attendance policy states that you may miss no more than 4
elective classes during the semester.  If you exceed 4 absences, you
will receive NG (NO Grade) in this course.  You are expected to arrive
on time for class.  If you arrive more than 10 minutes late for class,
you will receive half an absence.