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Enrolling in Basic Writing Courses The Nature of the Course SDCC 1 (Basic Writing) is designed to help you improve your proficiency in English composition. To this end, you will be asked to write frequently. But since writing is so intimately tied to one's ability to analyze experience and to comprehend the ideas of others--in short, to think--you will also be asked to read extensively and to discuss your impressions in the company of your classmates. Your instructor will spend relatively little time talking about grammar and punctuation, mainly because you are expected to be proficient in these matters already. A grasp of grammar and punctuation can be had readily through self-study, and your handbook should supply as much information as you'll need. Relevant Regulations Academic Senate regulations state that once you begin classes at UCSD, the Entry Level Writing Requirement may be met solely through enrollment in SDCC 1. The Senate regulations give students three quarters in which to satisfy the requirement. Those who have not done so will not be eligible to enroll for a fourth quarter. ESL Students Students whose first or best languages are other than English can receive special help by taking SDCC 4 (ESOL) prior to attempting SDCC 1 (Basic Writing). The SDCC 1 "clock" for these students will not start until enrollment in the SDCC 4 course has ended. (Students may enroll in SDCC 4 three times.) Standards Required The University of California demands high standards of scholarship. An accompanying web page provides a rating scale or "rubric" which should guide you in knowing what is required in the way of writing proficiency. The readers who scored your Analytical Writing Placement Exams were guided by this rating scale, and your instructor may also choose to follow it. Proficient writing is described in categories 6 through 4, deficient writing in categories 3 through 1. Attendance and Assignments One of the requirements of the course is faithful attendance. Students who miss the first two class meetings will not be allowed to add SDCC 1 or 4 . Additionally, students who enroll in SDCC 1 or 4, but then fail to attend the first two class meetings, will be dropped, and will not be allowed to enroll in some other section. Since writing cannot be learned except through diligent practice, you will also be required to complete all of your assignments, and to turn them in on time. Failure to do so will be grounds for failure in the course and disqualification from taking the Exit Exam. This university policy will be strictly enforced. Course Grade To fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement, you must achieve a grade of "C" or better. The course grade you receive in SDCC 1 will be reported to Mesa College, and a note of it will be made on an internal UCSD transcript for reference by the Provosts' offices, the Student Financial Services Office, etc. The grade earned will not appear on an official UCSD transcript (unless you request Mesa to send a record of your grade to our Registrar's office), nor will your grade be considered in computing your GPA. Please note that a transcript from Mesa College will be required if you apply for admission to a professional or graduate school in the future. The grade you earn may be calculated into your GPA in the admissions process. The Exit Examination To fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement (and go on to the courses offered by the college writing programs), you must also achieve a passing score on the Exit Examination that concludes the course. This exam will be similar in format to the Analytical Writing Placement Exam you took earlier. You will be excused from this exam date for only the most compelling and unavoidable reasons: family emergency, illness, religious strictures, etc. Completion of the Requirement Most students will satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement after only one quarter. Those who fail to satisfy the requirement in their first (or second) attempt will need to re-enroll in SDCC 1. It is possible to appeal the results of the Exit Examination or the course grade. Please save all papers written in Basic Writing as no appeal will be considered without them. Adding and Dropping Students may add, drop, or change a Basic Writing section by using TritonLink during the open enrollment period. After the open enrollment period ends (roughly one week before the beginning of classes), all adds, drops, and changes must be approved by the Basic Writing Office prior to enrollment. Students are solely responsible for ensuring that the Registrar's Office has an accurate record of their enrollment. |