Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-5"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2017

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Jonathan Jones
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement via JCU English Composition Placement Exam or completion of either EN 103 or EN 105 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course reinforces the skills needed to write well-organized essays, focusing specifically on argumentative essays. Elements covered include thesis development, critical reading, organizing and outlining, paraphrasing and summarizing, and citation and documentation standards. Techniques of academic research and the use of the library and other research facilities are discussed. In addition to regular in- and out-of-class reading and writing assignments, students are required to write a fully documented research paper. Students must receive a grade of C or above in this course to fulfill the University’s English Composition requirement and to be eligible to take courses in English literature. Individual students in EN 110 may be required to complete additional hours in the English Writing Center as part of their course requirements.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course examines a range of fundamental writing strategies, starting with grammar, critical reading of sources, summarizing, paraphrasing and proper quoting; it continues with the writing of a topic proposal, selection and citation of sources, literature review, and thesis development. Research and use of library resources will also be covered. The course seeks ways to make writing more livelier and more sophisticated and emphasizes the linguistic, social and rhetorical aspects of writing from both theoretical and practical perspectives. This course is writing intensive.

Please note that you will be asked to submit your papers to Turnitin.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will learn to write a well-organized and error-free argumentative research paper. By the end of the course students will be able to:

Grammar
Write sophisticated as well as grammatically and idiomatically correct English prose

Reading
Read to comprehend increasingly complex material
Read and think critically

Vocabulary
Expand vocabulary through reading and writing
Develop subject specific terminology through reading and writing

Rhetoric
             Write well-organized essays, focusing specifically on argumentative essays
             Write a strong and developed thesis statement with supporting arguments
             Think, read, write critically for an academic audience
              Write a developed outline
              Paraphrase and summarize
             Cite and write using documentation
             Write a fully documented research paper

Research and sourcing (can be covered by a librarian in one or more workshops in the library)
                Be familiar with research and information literacy skills including
                        - A reinforcement of searching skills: catalog, database, and web sourcing
                         - Source evaluation
                         - Subject searching
                         - Utilize MLA style for all aspects of a research paper
                         - Understand how to avoid plagiarism

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Two In class essays		20
Two In Class summaries		15
Quizzes		10
Research Proposal		10
Annotated bibiliography		15
Rough Draft		Required
Final Research Paper		25
Final Presentation		5

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings. Students are allowed 3 absences during the term (excused or unexcused). Each additional absence beyond the four allowed will result in the reduction in the final grade for the course by 5%. Students arriving to class after attendance has been taken will be counted as late. Two late arrivals will count as an absence. Please refer to the JCU catalog for the attendance and absence policies. Please note that there is homework in nearly every class so if you are absent it is your responsibility to call a classmate for the assignment.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Note: This schedule is subject to change based on the progress of the class. Students will be informed in class regarding changes. Each student who is absent must contact classmates regarding assignments due and scheduling.

In Class Summary 1 -Week 2
In Class Essay 1 - Week 3
In Class Summary 2 - Week 7
In Class Essay 2 - Week 10

Submit Research Proposal - Week 7
Workshop Rough Draft of Research Project Week 12
Submit Annotated Bibliography - Week 12
SUBMIT FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT Week 14

LIBRARY SESSIONS - Week 3 and Week 6

Week 1
Course introduction
Why do Research?
Finding and Evaluating Sources
Paraphrasing and Summary

Week 2
Critical Reading - Critical Thinking
Annotations
In Class Summary 1 and Workshop

Week 3
Library Session
Submit In Class Summary 1
In Class Essay 1

Week 4
PPT Bad Writing
Workshop In Class Essay 1
Submit In Class Essay 1

Week 5
Proofreading and Editing
Feedback on In Class Summary 1 and In Class Essay 1
How to fix errors and identify weak points in writing

Week 6
Library Session 2
Make appointment with librarian - library worksheet
Presentations for Research Proposal (5 to 10 mins)

Week 7
Presentations for Research Proposal (5 to 10 mins)
In class summary 2

Week 8
Workshop In class summary 2
Quiz on MLA
Submit Research Proposal (1-2 page max)

Week 9
Submit In class summary 2
In Class Essay 2

Week 10
Workshop In essay 2
Submit In class essay 2

Week 11
Drafting the Research Paper - PPT
Synthesis - PPT

Week 12
Rough Draft - Final Paper (Workshop)
Submit Annotated bibliography

Week 13
Prep for Final Presentations
Rough Draft - Final Paper (Workshop)

Week 14
Review of EN 110
Final Research Project

Final Exam - presentations TBA