STUDENT SYLLABUS
Course Name/Section Number:
INRW 0301 GO 1 MW 5:30pm – 7:20pm
CRN:
20463
Instructor Name:
Michael Blake Mikesh
Division/Dept.
Academic Foundations/Integrated Reading and
Writing
Office Hours:
By appointment
Office Number:
VC Gonzales Room 120
Office Phone:
830-672-6251
Instructor Email:
Michael.Mikesh@VictoriaCollege.edu
Instructor Website:
N/A
____________________________________________________________________________
Course Description (AMS)
This is a combined lecture/lab, performance-based course designed to advance students’
critical reading and academic writing skills. The focus of the course will be on applying critical
reading skills for organizing, analyzing, and retaining material and developing written work
appropriate to the audience, purpose, situation, and length of the assignment. The course
integrates preparation in basic academic reading skills with basic skills in composing a variety of
academic texts. This is a course with a required lab. The course fulfills TSI requirements for
reading and writing.
Prerequisite(s) (AMS):
Students must have a minimum reading score of 342 in reading and 350 in writing or a
diagnostic level of 5 or 6 on the TSI assessment. Students with a diagnostic level 4 may be
enrolled in INRW 0301 with INRW 0016.BSM as a supplement. Students may also enroll if they
passed INRW 0300 with a grade of “SC” or higher.
TSI Assessment: Students may take the TSI Assessment at any time during the semester. If the
student becomes college ready by meeting the required scores in reading and writing on the
TSI, the student has passed this course and will no longer have to attend.
How to Pass This Course: Spend additional hours working on reading and writing assignments,
watching videos, and reading the textbook. Stay ahead of the schedule, take tests when ready
but well ahead of the due date. If you fall behind, meet with the instructor to discuss your
options.
Modularized Instruction: This course provides individualized instruction in a lab setting using a
mastery-based approach. The Blackboard modules provide videos, module pre-tests,
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
SYLLABUS
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assignments and practices, writing exams, and module exams. A student may complete this
course as quickly or as slowly as he/she needs, but the course must be completed by the end of
the semester. Instruction and explanation of concepts are available through instructors. A
score of 80% or higher on the module pre-test will allow a student to advance to the next
module. This allows the student to proceed through the course at a faster pace.
Attendance: Students are expectd to attend class at least 4 hours each week and to complete
their assignments. Students must contact an instructor if they are not able to attend at least 4
hours during the week. This class is scheduled for Monday and Wednesday evenings 5:30pm –
7:20pm. Additional hours may be spent in the VC Gonzales Tutoring Center, or Academic Café
room 108.
Required Textbook(s), Supplies, and Materials:


Required:
a. Fusion: Integrated Reading and Writing Book 2: Second Edition –
Kemper/Meyer/Van Rys/Sebranek
b. MindTap Access Card
c. Paper, writing utensils
d. Headphones: headphones or ear buds are required in order to listen to
videos in class
Optional:
a. highlighters
Learning Outcomes (AMS):
Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate the following student
learning outcomes:
1. Locate explicit textual information, draw complex inferences, and describe, analyze, and
evaluate the information within and across multiple texts of varying lengths.
2. Comprehend and use vocabulary effectively in oral communication, reading and writing.
3. Identify and analyze the audience, purpose, and message across a variety of texts.
4. Describe and apply insights gained from reading and writing a variety of texts.
5. Compose a variety of texts that demonstrate reading comprehension, clear focus, logical
development of ideas, and use of appropriate language that advance the writer’s
prupose.
6. Determine and use effective approaches and rhetorical strategies for given reading and
writing situations.
7. Generate ideas and gather information relevant to the topic and purpose, incorporating
the ideas and words of other writers in student writing using established strategies.
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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8. Evaluate relevance and quality of ideas and information in recognizing, formulating, and
developing a claim.
9. Develop and use effective reading and revision strategies to strengthen the writer’s
ability to compose college-level writing assignments.
10. Recognize and apply conventions of standard English in reading and writing.
Assessments (AMS):
Exams
Measure Learning Outcomes 1-10
Assignments/Practice
Measure Learning Outcomes 1-10
Essays
Measure Learning Outcomes 1-10
Departmental Final Exam
Measure Learning Outcomes 1-10
Course Requirements (AMS):


You must be self-disciplined and keep yourself on a regular schedule in order to
complete this course by the end of the semester.
Instructors are available to assist you, but it is your responsibility to ask for any
assistance that you may need. Although instructors are available to help you with
understanding and learning the material, they will not give you the answers without
seeing your work. They are there to teach you how to work through problems on your
own and to critically think through the steps involved in solving those problems.
Therefore, developing your ability to think critically is also a strong component of this
course.
Modular Assignments: This class is self-paced and student-centered. This means that the you
are responsible for how quickly you work through the required material and thus are actively
engaged in your own learning.
This course utilizes computer-based modules in Blackboard and in-person activities. Once the
course begins, you will be given instructions on how to access the course modules. You will
spend the class time working on modules with help from an instructor. Blackboard can be
accessed from any computer that has an Internet connection. You are expected to work
through the modules and try to complete them by the suggested due date in the syllabus. You
can always work ahead of schedule.
Before beginning to work, you will meet with an instructor and examine your TSI scores to
discuss which aspects of the modules you must complete. You will then do individual
assignments targeted to your specific area of need.
Even though this class is set up as an individualized, modular-based mastery course, it is still a
class. As with any class, you will have work to do both in and out of class. One strong strategy
is to complete your course readings and video watching outside of class, and complete the
practices and assignments in class where you can get help from an instructor if you need it.
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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Exams: You will complete module pre-tests and post-tests. You must make at least an 80% on
these tests in order to progress to the next module.
Instructional Mode: An instructor will be available to provide support and guidance while you
work on the modules. Lecture, discussion, and additional problems may be provided to support
the modules as needed.
Class Procedures: You will attend class at least four hours each week until the course is
completed. You will work on the assigned topics through lessons and assignments in class and
at home (for homework). You will work at your own pace to make progress on your module
assignments. You are expected to ask questions.
Criteria for Grading:
Assignment
Percentage
Exams
40%
Essays
40%
Final Exam
20%
Exam Procedures:
 A comprehensive final exam will be given in this course.
 Cell phone usage of any kind while taking a test will result in a zero on the exam.
 If you make less than an 80% on an exam, you must complete additional work assigned
by the instructor and retake the exam.
Grading Equivalency:
Because Academic Foundations classes are not included in students’ GPAs, grades are not
recorded on an A-F scale. An “S” represents satisfactory academic performance. A “U”
represents unsatisfactory academic performance. Academic Foundations uses the following
grading equivalencies:
90-100
SA
80-89
SB
70-79
SC
69 and below
UF
Attendance (AMS):
Among other factors, regular class attendance is very important for success in this course.
Attendance will be taken every night of class, so make sure that you sign in. Attendance
records will be submitted electronically to the appropriate division dean on the last day of the
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
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course. A student’s absence means that the student is not able to gain the skills and knowledge
necessary to pass the course.



Students must attend class or be counted absent.
Instructors will drop all students who do not attend prior to the Official Record Date (ORD).
Students may drop the course at any time before 65% of the course has been completed
for a grade of Q or W.
 Instructors may drop students from the course if absences exceed 20% of the scheduled
class meetings. **
 Instructors will drop students from the course when absences exceed 40% of the
scheduled class meetings
o unless said excessive absences accrue after the 65% drop date or
o unless students are in good standing.
 Students who miss class are responsible for all material discussed and any assignments or
announcements made that relate to the course.
 The ORD for this class is: February 3rd 2016
 The last day to drop this course is: April 6 2016
**It is the practice of The Division of Academic Foundations to drop students whose absences
exceed 20% of class meetings and who are failing.
Withdrawal:
Please note that non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal from class. All withdrawals must
be processed officially through the Counseling Services or Admissions/Registrar’s office.
http://www.victoriacollege.edu/studentresources. Failure to do so will result in a failing grade
for the course.
Tentative Class Calendar - (AMS):
INRW 0301 OE Suggested Schedule – Spring 2016
Week
Date
Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines
Week 1
1/20
Course Set Up, Module 1: Lessons 1-3
Week 2
1/25-1/27
Module 1: Lessons 4-7
Week 3
2/1-2/3
Module 1: Lessons 8-10, Module 1 Exam
Week 4
2/8-2/10
Module 2: Pre-test, Module 2: Lessons 1-3
Week 5
2/15-2/17
Module 2: Lessons 4-7
Week 6
2/22 - 2/24
Module 2: Exam, Module 3: Pre-test, Module 3: Lessons 1-2
Week 7
2-29-3/2
Module 3: Lessons 3-6
Week 8
3/7 – 3/9
Module 3: Lesson 7, Module 3: Exam, Module 4: Pre-test, Module 4:
Lesson 1
Week 9
3/21 – 3/23
Module 4: Lessons 2-5
Week 10
3/28 – 3/30
Module 4: Lessons 6-8, Module 4: Exam
Week 11
4/4 – 4/6
Module 5: Pre-test, Module 5: Lessons 1-3
Week 12
4/11 – 4/13
Module 5: Lessons 4-5, Module 5: Exam
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.
SYLLABUS
Week
Date
Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines
Week 13
4/18 – 4/20
Extra Practice
Week 14
4/25 – 4/27
Extra Pratice & Review
Week 15
5/2 – 5/4
Review for Final Exam
Week 16
5/9
Monday, May 9th Final Exam at 6:00pm
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Victoria College Student Services Addendum to Course Syllabus
VC offers a wide range of resources, which include: advising & counseling services; career services,
computer help desk, computer labs, disability support services, emerging scholars, the KEY center, the
library, supplemental instruction, the library, the testing center, tutoring services and veteran’s affairs.
For more information on any of these services, please see:
http://www.victoriacollege.edu/studentresources
Disclaimer: The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus as deemed necessary and appropriate.