Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-11"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2017

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: David Castronuovo
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 4:30-5:45 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. Students will be required to submit assignments through TurnitinUK.

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:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
"They Say / I Say" THE MOVES THAT MATTER IN ACADEMIC WRITING, WITH 2016 MLA UPDATE	Graff and Birkenstein	WW NORTON	978-0-393-61743-6		Please order carefully, using the ISBN number and exact/complete title. The book retails for $27.50 on the W W Norton site, and for less on Amazon. Do NOT get the edition that says "with readings" on the cover; that edition is more expensive, and is not the edition we will use in this section. Thanks.

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
Amarcord	Federico Fellini	Janus Films			This is a DVD

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Homework (including written response papers, approximately 2 pages each week)		20%
In Class Essays		30%
Quizzes		10%
Annotated Bibliography and Review of Literature		15%
Outline		Required
Rough Draft		Required
Final Research Paper (8-10 pages)		20%
Final Presentation		5%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work 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 C
B This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
C This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D This 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.
F This 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 4 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

Both the schedule and the list of readings offered here are subject to change; please see the course’s Moodle page for a more detailed course plan.

NB: FINAL EXAM. The course’s final exam may be held on any day between Monday 4 December and Thursday 7 December (exact date to be announced). Make plans accordingly.

COURSE READINGS AND RESOURCES. These will center upon the theme of “Memory,” as it is understood within the following four contexts: i) memory and the self; ii) memory and the mind; iii) memory and the community; iv) memory and literature.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Week I

Introduction and key dates
Grading / Classroom agreements
Moodle/TurnitinUK
Professional register
Writing an effective response
Dictionaries

Memory and the Self: Memoir

Week II

Reading/Watching/Listening critically
Annotation of sources
Argument

Memory and the Self: Imagination
Memory and the Self: Education

Week III

In-class essay #1

Memory and the Self: Mourning

Week IV

Sourcing and Research (library session)
Paraphrasing
Academic honesty
Plagiarism

Memory and Self-awareness

Week V

Preparation for the final paper: topics

Memory and the Community: Italy, Fascism, the Jewish Community

Week VI

In-class essay #2

Week VII

The Research Question and Pitch Assignment

Week VIII

In class essay #3

The Annotated Bibliography
Source Evaluation

Memory and the Community: Federico Fellini's film, Amarcord ("I remember")

Week IX

The Review of Literature (library session)

Memory and the Community: Field trip to the Roman ghetto

Memory and the Mind

Week X

The Outline

Memory and the Mind: Forgetting

Week XI

Thesis and Drafting

Memory and the Mind: Time

Week XII

Transitions and Conclusions

Memory and the Mind: Music

Rough draft of final paper due at the end of this week

Week XIII

Citation and the Works Cited

Memory and Literature

Week XIV

Interviews

Memory and Literature

Week XV

Final paper due

Preparation for presentation of the final research paper

Final Exam

Presentation of the final research paper