ATLANTA METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE

HUMANITIES AND FINE ARTS

COURSE SYLLABUS
WRITERS WORKSHOP
Semester:
Spring 2014
Instructor:
T. Kelly
Course Number:
ENGL 0099 ADULT
Course Registration Number: 21249

Campus/Location:
Room Number:
Meeting Days and Times:
Final Assessment Date:

Main
A310
S 11-2:30
TBA

Course Start Date: Jan. 13, 2014

Instructors Contact Information:
Office Location: A 322
Office Telephone: 404-756-4657
Office Hours: MW 1-4; R 11-2; S 2:30-3:30
Email Address: tkelly@atlm.edu
Credit Hours: 4 (INSTITUTIONAL CREDIT ONLY)
Prerequisite(s): satisfactory score on the COMPASS Placement Examination.
Prerequisite(s): None
Course Description
ENGL 0099 Writers Workshop develops skills for academic writing. Students have
multiple opportunities to advance their understanding of written English,
develop complex sentence structures, and learn proofreading skills. Institutional credit
only.
Required Textbooks and Additional Materials
(1) Arlov, Pamela. Wordsmith: A Guide to College Writing. 5th ed. Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2010. Print.
A subscription to the software program, MyWritingLab, is required. A card with an
access code is included with the purchase of a new Arlov textbook in the AMSC
Bookstore. If you purchase a used textbook or a new one at another location, you may
need to purchase the software program online. Once you register online using the access
code, you have use of the program for one year. If this one year has expired, you need to
purchase a new access code. Our course ID is: kelly02615
Bound Composition Notebook
Blue or black ink pens
No. 2 pencils
Scantrons
Folder/Binder
Loose leaf paper
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Important Dates:
Holidays:
Midpoint:
Last Day of Class:
Final Exam:

January 20: MLK Holiday (College Closed)

March 6 (Last day to withdraw without penalty.)
April 30
TBA

ADA Statement
Atlanta Metropolitan State College is committed to providing support for all students and
making their college experience an enriching opportunity. In compliance with Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,
The Office of Disability Services located on the second floor of the Academic Building
in room 228 oversees the coordination of services for students with documented
disabilities. The Coordinator of Disability Services collaborates with faculty and staff to
offer provisions for reasonable accommodations to students who meet the requirements.
Accommodations cannot be provided until a reasonable accommodation plan is in place.
To the greatest extent possible, all college representatives shall observe confidentiality.
Course Delivery Method
This course meets face to face. Delivery methods include short lecture, group discussion,
computer assisted instruction, and collaborative learning. We will use Georgia
View Vista for grade delivery, and submission of short assignments (selfintroduction and contact information). MyWritingLab.com will be used for
grammar practice.
Class Policies:
1. Withdrawal
See the policies and instructions for withdrawals at: www.atlm.edu. Scroll to Office of
Registrar and click on Academic Advisement to access details and instructions.
2.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is compulsory. Students who do not attend class regularly are in danger of
failing the course. You must be present in the class to do most of the graded work, such
as first drafts of essays, grammar quizzes and in-class exercises.
Promptness relates to attendance. Roll will be taken at the beginning of class. You need
to be in class at that time; otherwise, you will be marked late. Students who come to
class fifteen minutes late on the day of first drafts or quizzes will not be permitted to
take the test or quiz. If you are late but not over fifteen minutes, you are not guaranteed
sufficient time to complete your work.

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It is not permissible for students to appear only for the part of the class when quizzes or
other graded work is done. You must remain until class is dismissed. Students who
dismiss themselves (walk out) do not get credit for work completed during that class.
If poor attendance is related to hardship, students should consider withdrawing (before
midterm) or getting a hardship withdrawal from all classes after midterm. Consult with
the Vice President of Student Affairs.
Students are ultimately responsible for ensuring that the course(s) in which they enroll
are included in the approved degree plan and program map for their program of study.
Students must periodically check their enrollment status in this course during the
semester. The student is responsible for determining changes, if any in enrollment status
and taking necessary steps (e.g., pursuing re-instatement in this course) following those
outlined in the AMSC catalog.
3. Class Cancellation
In the unlikely event that I am not able to appear for class because of an emergency, I
will notify you through D2L or campus email, if there is time to do so. If I do not appear
for class, students should wait 15 minutes, then make a list of the names of those present,
and give the roll to the Humanities and Fine Arts Division secretary (A303).
4. Academic Honesty
Academic honesty is very important. Cheating is a serious offense. Students caught
cheating will not get credit for the assignment. They risk course failure if such behavior
continues thereafter. The student handbook gives these examples of cheating: copying
exam answers from others, using notes, dictionaries, and books during examinations
without authorization, handing in someone elses work as ones own, or any deceptive act
that interferes with the instructors efforts to accurately evaluate an academic
performance.
In the event of an emergency that forces the college to close for an extended period,
students must contact the instructor of this class within 48 hours using the contact
information (e.g., email address, VISTA 8 Access Code or telephone number) on the
syllabus to obtain directions for continuing the course. The instructor will provide
directions for the transmission and submission of course assignments and course
assessments, including dates. The student is responsible for submitting valid,
accurate contact information, including an active AMSC email address to the
instructor by the end of the first week of the course. Students can obtain an Atlanta
Metropolitan State College Student email address in the Academic Support Center
on the third floor of the Library Building. If the instructor for the course cannot be
reached within the specified period of time (within 48 hours), the chair of the division
responsible for the course can be reached at the email address posted on the colleges
website
5. Methods of Assessments (Quizzes/Examinations/Presentations)
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There are three criteria you must meet to pass ENGL 0099. First, to pass the class, you
must earn 70 out of a possible 100 points. Secondly, you must pass the Exit Essay, which
is written in class but graded by Humanities and Fine Arts Division faculty members.
Third, you must score at least a 60 on the Compass English Writing Exam.
You are held accountable for this work in sequence. That is, you cannot take the Exit
Essay, if you do not have a 70 in the coursework. You can only take the Compass
English writing exam if you have passed the Exit Essay. The Compass and the Exit
Essay do not affect your passing letter grade (A, B, C). They are simply tests that you
must pass in order to receive a passing letter grade for the course on your transcript. If
you do not pass either one of them, you need to retake the course the next semester.
Listed below is how the coursework will be evaluated.
Essays
500 Points
Journal
50 Points
Portfolio
100 Points
Grammar quizzes
200 Points
MyWritinglab.com
100 Points
Oral presentation
50 Points
1000 Total Points
EVALUATION:
PASSING GRADES
A
Excellent
90-100 Points
B
Good
80-89 Points
C
Satisfactory
70-79 Points
FAILING GRADES
IP
In Progress
60-69 (repeat ENGL 0099)
F
Failure
Below 60 (repeat ENGL 0099)
Addendum to Grading Policy:
Problems related to the grading policy for this course or other courses should be first
brought to the attention of the professor for the course. However, a resolution of
unsettled problems or concerns may be pursued by following the grievance procedures
outlined in the AMSC Student Handbook and the Academic Catalog
6. Miscellaneous Policies
MAKE UP POLICY
There is no makeup for missed quizzes, tests, essays, presentations, discussions and/or
other required assignments. If you have an emergency or extenuating circumstance,
please speak with me privately at an appropriate time. Please do not attempt to discuss
absences, missed work, personal situations, etc. during class. If you have an extenuating
circumstance that may merit a special arrangement, it is your responsibility to contact me
in a timely manner and communicate the situation.
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TURNING IN ASSIGNMENTS:
Place paper homework assignments on the teacher's desk at the beginning of class. If
you are late, turn it in as soon as you enter the class. Assignments will not be accepted at
the end of class.
ATTENDANCE FOR PRESENTATIONS AND QUIZZES
Students who come to class ten minutes late on the day of quizzes or presentations will
not be permitted to take the quiz or to present. If you are late but not over ten minutes,
you are not guaranteed sufficient time to complete your work. It is not permissible for
students to appear only for the part of the class when quizzes or other graded work is
done. You must remain until class is dismissed. Students who dismiss themselves (walk
out) do not get credit for work completed during that class meeting. Students violating
this policy will receive a failing grade (0=F) for the assignment.

CELL PHONES & PERSONAL ATTIRE:

Cell phones distract attention from the learning environment. Cell phones must be
turned off when you enter class. Also, once class starts, cell phones should not be in
your hands, on your lap, or on your desk. Store them in your bag or pocket. You should
not use your phone during class to check messages or make calls, or write texts. You are
not permitted to leave class to make or return calls unless you notify the instructor at the
beginning of class of some special circumstances. Electronic dictionaries, iPods, MP3
Players, and audio/visual recording devices are not permitted.
CODE OF DRESS: (from AMSC Office of Student Affairs)
The Code of Dress is developed on the premise that learning to dress in attire appropriate
for specific locations and occasions enhances development and is a part of the total
educational process. Understanding and implementing these standards improves the
quality of a students self-image and fosters mutual respect between individuals. The
Code of Dress is designed to increase the level of appreciation that students have for the
values that are important to maintain growth and improve of our community.
EXAMPLES OF INAPPROPRIATE ATTIRE:
No Student ID badge
Do-rags, stocking caps, skullcaps, bandanas, scarves, and hair bonnets
Hoods or hats for men or women in any building, except as a part of a religious or
cultural dress
Clothing with derogatory, offensive and/or lewd messages either in words or pictures
Bare feet
Shorts or skirts that reveal buttocks.
Men and womens pants that are worn below the waist or reveal undergarments.
Clothing with holes that reveal undergarments.
Womens shirts that reveal undergarments.
See-through or mesh clothing.
Shirts that end above the waist.
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CONSEQUENCES:
First Offense: Written Warning with Official Letter of Reprimand in File.
Second Offense: Community Service. A hold will be placed on the students academic
record, if this obligation is not satisfied.
Third Offense: Probation or Suspension from the college.
7. Learning Support DISMISSAL/SUSPENSION POLICY
Refer to AMSC online catalog at www.atlm.edu to learn the LS rules and dismissal policies.

Learning Support Dismissal Policy

Students who do not complete their Learning Support (L.S.) requirements for English
(writing) or reading in two semesters and/or their requirements for mathematics in three
semesters will be suspended (placed on a 1-year Learning Support Dismissal)
(University System of Georgia guidelines section 2.9.1 - Administrative Procedures for
Learning Support Programs). A student on L.S. dismissal from a specific area/class may
be considered for early readmission before the end of the one year suspension if (a) the
student can provide evidence of having a reasonable chance for success in that class and
(b) the student has not reached the maximum number of attempts in any other L.S. area.
AMSC has established that students on L.S. dismissal who apply for early readmission
must provide a review committee with evidence that they have taken measures to be
successful and that they have a reasonable chance for success.
A DETAILED OVERVIEW OF COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
Portfolio
The portfolio consists of exercises or revised writings from the course. These exercises
and writings will be collected, marked, and returned to you. Keep them in chronological
order. The portfolio consists of all essays for the course. Each essay must include: 1) an
original copy graded by the instructor; 2) a revised copy that has been proofread, edited
and signed by a writing tutor in the AMSC Academic Support Center (Writing Lab); 3) a
final, typed copy of the essay. All copies of the essay must be stapled together.
The journal is a collection of responses to writing topics provided at the beginning of
each class meeting. Students must complete a well-developed paragraph for each topic
with a minimum of 5-7 sentences
Grammar Quizzes
We will have four (4) grammar quizzes. If you enter the class more than twenty minutes
late, you cannot take it, nor can you get credit for the quiz if you leave before the class is
over.
MyWritinglab.com
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Much of our grammar work will be done online by using MyWritinglab.com, a software
program that accompanies your textbook, A Guide to College Writing. With your
textbook, you received a card containing a code that you will need to register for the
program. If you do not have this access card, you can purchase access online. We will
register in class. Complete topics in Mywritinglab.com that correspond to the class
calendar. Mywritinglab.com exercises are due by 11:59 p.m. the Sunday beginning
the week of the test for that topic. A detailed schedule of topics corresponds to the
weekly topics listed on the syllabus.
First, you will take one diagnostic grammar test in MyWritinglab.com. You get credit for
completion. Do your own work so that you can learn your real diagnostic result. You do
not lessen the amount of work you need to do by scoring high on the diagnostic test.
Second, before you do any of the activities for a topic, you should read carefully the
learning objectives and view the animation. Then, attempt to get a score of 70 or above.
Also, do the topics in the order in which they are assigned and due on the calendar. Some
earlier work is a foundation for later work. You will not have access to activities after
due dates.
Essays
You will write four essays during the semester. You will write both a first draft and a
final draft. First drafts are written in class. I read these and highlight areas where errors
exists or where revisions are necessary. You are required to keep your first and final
drafts of graded essays. Do not discard them.
Oral Presentation
At the end of the semester students will make a group presentation to the class. The
presentation will cover a grammar or writing topic covered in class. The group will
present the topic with a summary of instructions and relevant rules, a learning activity, a
related visual, and a quiz.
Course Outline/Class Schedule
WEEK1:
Journals
Class overview
Diagnostic Writing
Diagnostic Grammar
MWL: Complete Registration
Chps. 13-14 Subjects and Verbs, pp. 293-324
____pr. 2,3,4,5,6,8,9, Rev. 1______________
MWL: COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC TEST.

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MWL: Subjects and Verbs, Regular and Irregular Verbs, Tense, Subject
Verb Agreement and Consistent Verb Tense and Active Voice (Meet in
Computer Lab A332.) (70 or above).
Ch. 1 The Writing Process, pp. 1-20
_______Read__________________________
Ch. 2 Preparing to Write, pp. 21-35
_______Read__________________________
WEEK 2
Journals
Ch. 16 Run-on Sentences, pp. 335-353
_______pr.1, 2, 3, 4, 5_____________________
Ch. 17 Sentence Fragments, pp. 354-369
_______pr.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Rev.1________________
MyWritingLab: Run-on Sentences; Sentence Fragments; and Comma
Splices (70 or above).
QUIZ: Subjects & Verbs, Run-on Sentences, Sentence Fragments, & Comma
Ch. 3 Building a Framework
_____pr. 1, 2, 3, 4, _______________________
Ch. 5 Developing Body Paragraphs
_____pr. 5 & 7___________________________________________
Chps. 18 & 19 Pronoun Case; Pronoun Agreement, Reference & Point of View

______pr. 1, 2. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7__________________
Whole-class Essay
MyWritingLab (Meet in Computer Lab A332.)
In-class Essay #1
COMPASS Writing Practice Test (Meet in Computer Lab A332.)
WEEK 3
Journals
MWL: Pronouns, Pronoun Case; Pronoun Agreement, Reference & Point of
View (70 or above)
QUIZ: Pronoun, Pronoun Case; Pronoun Agreement, Reference & Point of
View
Essay 1 Revisions
In-class Essay #2
COMPASS Practice Writing Test (Meet in Computer Lab A332.)
Ch. 20 Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers
______pr. 1, 2, 4, Rev. 1____________________
Ch. 21 Parallel Structure
______pr, 1, 2, Rev. 1 & 2___________________
Ch. 23 Sentences with Style
______pr. 1, 3, 4, 5_________________________
(MyWritingLab: 70 or above)
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WEEK 4
Journal
In-class Essay #3
MWL: Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers, Parallelism, Varying Sentence
Structure, Combining Sentences, & Modifiers (70 or above)
Ch. 24 Commas, pp. 454-464
______pr.1, 2, 3, 4, Rev 1_____________________
MyWritingLab.com: Commas
QUIZ: Commas
Ch. 26 Word Choice, pp. 477-490
______pr. 1, 2, 3, 4___________________________
COMPASS Practice Writing Test (Meet in Computer Lab A332.)
WEEK 5
Journals
COMPASS Practice Writing Test (Meet in Computer Lab A332.)
Ch. 28: Capital Letters
________pr. 1, 2, 3, 4, Rev. 1__________________
Ch. 29: Apostrophe
_________pr. 3, 4, 6, 7, Rev. 1_________________
MWL: Capital Letters, Apostrophe (70 or above)
In-class Essay 4
WEEK 6
Journals
Ch. 30: Quotation Marks, Underlining, and Italics
______________________________________________________________
MWL: Quotation Marks, Underlining, and Italics (70 or above)
Standard and Non Standard English
_____worksheet____________
QUIZ: Standard and Non Standard English, Quotation Marks, Underlining, and
Italics

WEEK 7
Journals
Student-Teacher Conferences/Portfolio Preparation
WEEK 8
Journal-Notebook Check
Word Choice; Words Commonly Confused
____pr.1, 2, 3, 4, ______________________________________________
WEEK NINE
Journals
QUIZ: Word Choice; Words Commonly Confused
COMPASS Practice Writing Test (Meet in Computer Lab A332.)
WEEK TEN
Journals
English Essay Exam
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WEEK ELEVEN
Journals
Ch. 25: Punctuation: Period, Question Mark, Semicolon, Colons and Dashes_
_pr. 1, 2, Rev. 1 ________________
MWL: Punctuation: Period, Question Mark, Semicolon, Colons and Dashes (70 or above)
WEEK TWELVE
Journals
COMPASS Writing Exam Practice
WEEK THIRTEEN
Journals
GRAMMAR QUIZ: APOSTROPHES, COMMAS, QUOTATION MARKS,
STANDARD AND NON-STANDARD ENGLISH AND,
CAPITALIZATION
COMPASS Writing Exam Practice
WEEK FOURTEEN
Journals
Grammar Topic Oral Presentations (Meet in Computer Lab A332)
COMPASS Writing Exam Practice
WEEK FIFTEEN
Journals
Grammar Topic Oral Presentations
COMPASS Practice
WEEK SIXTEEN
Journal-Notebook Check
Final Exam Period
TBA COMPASS Exam (AMSC Office of Testing Services A218)

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