TITLE: English 853, Writing Assistance Lab
Semester Units: 0.5-3.0 units
Hours: Open entry. Twenty-four lab hours equal 0.5 unit of credit.
Course Prerequisites: None

COURSE CLASSIFICATION: Credit course not applicable to the Associate Degree.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Provides assistance in all the stages of the writing process for students enrolled in any college course. Open daily, the lab allows students to drop in when they want and choose the instructional methods they prefer: one-on-one tutoring, writing software, English practice groups, faculty-taught workshops, phone-in/online tutoring. Open entry.

OVERALL AIMS: One aim of English 853 is to help students write more effectively in any college course with a writing component. Another aim is to help students identify and build their individual strengths as writers and address the areas in which they need improvement. Students will also develop the capacity to learn independently and to transfer the skills learned to other college courses.

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: Based on assessment of student writing that has been assigned in any college course, instructors/tutors will determine objectives for each individual student. Students will develop skill in prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing.

COURSE CONTENT: The content of the course includes individual and small group instruction in vocabulary development grammar, spelling, punctuation, paragraph, and essay development, and speech fluency. Instruction in writing is provided at developmental and college levels.

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Students will work on individualized programs of study, which will include computerized instruction, student/teacher conferencing, and attendance at workshops, as determined by the instructor and student.

REQUIRED TEXT(S): None

EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE:

Students may earn units of credit through the following activities:

• student/teacher conference
• individualized, self-paced composition instruction (using handbooks, handouts, software and websites)
• attendance at workshops offered through The Learning Center
• using the phone-in/online tutoring services
• completion of reading and writing assignments at home

Students will earn credit/units based on the number of hours spent in the computer lab and on demonstrated progress towards goals, as jointly determined by the student and instructor.