English 4314-SA01:  Contemporary Usage

Fall 2009, Wayland Baptist University, San Antonio

Thursday, 6:00-10:10

Lackland AFB Bldg. 5725 - Educ. Center/238

 

Wayland Baptist University Mission Statement:  Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an academically challenging, learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment for professional success, lifelong learning, and service to God and humankind.

 

Instructor:  Ken Billings

Office hours:  Before and after class and by appointment

Phone:  home:  673-9289 (no calls after 9 pm or before 9 am); work:  397-6040, ext 3219

Email:  kenneth.billings@nisd.net (best way to communicate with me)

 

·         Catalog Description

 

A practical study of present-day styles, stressing correctness, appropriateness, and clarity in writing; and attention to editing and proofreading.  For teachers, professionals, secretaries, and students in all degree programs.

 

Prerequisite:  Consent of Instructor

 

  • Required Textbook

 

Sabin, William A.  The Gregg Reference Manual. 10th ed.  McGraw-Hill, 2005.

 

  • Course Outcome Competencies

 

Upon the conclusion of this course, students actively engaged in learning will be able to:

 

  1. Understand the latest rules and guidelines related to contemporary usage.
  2. Select an appropriate writing style for the occasion.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate in various formats (memos, letters, etc.)
  4. Demonstrate fundamental editing and proofreading skills.
  5. Demonstrate improvement in written expression by successfully revising a previous work.

 

The more the student puts into the course, the higher his or her outcome competencies will be.

 

  • Attendance Requirements

 

As stated in the Wayland Catalog, students enrolled at one of the University’s external campuses should make every effort to attend all class meetings.  All absences must be explained to the instructor, who will then determine whether the omitted work may be made up.  When a student reaches that number of absences considered by the instructor to be excessive, the instructor will so advise the student and file an unsatisfactory progress report with the campus dean.  Any student who misses 25 percent or more of the regularly scheduled class meetings will receive a grade of F in the course.  Additional attendance policies for each course, as defined by the instructor in the course syllabus, are considered a part of the University’s attendance policy.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Disability Statement

 

It is University policy that no otherwise qualified disabled person be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the University.  Students should inform the instructor of existing disabilities at the first class meeting.  (Documentation of disability may be required.)

 

·         Course Requirements and Assessment

WBU Grading Scale:

A=90-100%

B=80-89%

C=70-79%

D=60-69%

F=Below 60%

 
 
 


    1. Weekly Homework Assignments—20%
    2. Final Exam—30%
    3. In-class editing—10%
    4. Written Assignments—20%
    5. Attendance and Participation—20%

 

Tentative Class Schedule

 

Week 1:  20 August:  Introduction and overview of syllabus.  Diagnostic Survey.  “How To Look Things Up” handout.

 

Week 2:  27 August:  Read Rules 101-121 (4-14) before coming to class.  Homework will be given.  Focus:  “Punctuation:  Major Marks”: Periods, Question Marks, Exclamation Points.  Section 1.

 

Week 3:  3 September:  Read Rules 122-175 (14-44) before coming to class.  Homework will be given.  Focus:  “Punctuation:  Major Marks”: The Comma.  Section 1.

 

Week 4:  10 September:  Read Rules 176-299 (44-90) before coming to class.  Homework will be given.  Focus:  “Punctuation: Major Marks”: The Semi-colon and Colon; “Punctuation: Other Marks.”  Sections 1 and 2.

 

Week 5:  17 September:  Read Rules 301-366 (92-119) before coming to class.  Homework will be given.  Focus:  “Capitalization.”  Section 3.

 

Week 6:  24 September:  Read Rules 401-470 and 501-550 (120-171) before coming to class.  Homework will be given.  Focus:  “Numbers” and “Abbreviations.”  Sections 4 and 5.

 

Week 7:  1 October:  Read Rules 601-652 (3172-192) before coming to class.  Homework will be given.  Focus:  “Plurals and Possessives.”  Section 6.

 

Week 8:  8 October:  Read Rules 701-720 and 801-848 (193-247) before coming to class.  Homework will be given.  Focus:  “Spelling” and Compound Words.”  Sections 7 and 8.

 

Week 9:  15 October:  Read Rules 1001-1088 (254-307) before coming to class.  Homework will be given. Focus:  “Grammar.”  Section 10.

 

Week 10:  22 October:  Read Rules 1101 (308-345) before coming to class.  Homework will be given.  Focus:  “Usage”  Section 11.

 

Week 11:  29 October:  Final Exam

 

The writing assignments will be given in class based on the needs of the students and will grow out of the editing workshops that are done in class.