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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-9"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Christin Campbell
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 1:30-2:45 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: By Appointment
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:
This course explores a range of fundamental writing strategies and key rhetorical moves to strengthen the skills needed to write a well-organized essay and argumentative research paper. The course is organized as a writing laboratory where students can workshop their writing in a structured environment. It begins with formal and informal register and letter writing; the critical reading of sources, summarizing, paraphrasing, accurate quoting, outlining, paragraphing; it continues with the writing of a topic proposal, the selection of primary and secondary sources, and thesis development. Paper formatting according to the MLA standard, research and the use of library resources will also be covered. In addition to regular in and out-of-class reading and writing assignments, students are required to write a fully-documented research paper.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will be able to write a well-organized, evidence-supported and error-free argumentative research paper.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
"They Say, I Say With Readings." Third Edition.Graff, Gerald, et al.W. W. Norton and Company9780393937510     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
In class essaysThere are two in-class essays and one at-home essay worth 10% each.30%
Homework This includes everything I may assign outside of what is listed on the syllabus; i.e., the responses, any worksheets, any readings and annotations, notes on any podcasts or talks. 5 points off for each day an assignment is late.10%
Annotated bibliography and Literature Review 15%
Outline"Required" means that this assignment is due and is an essential aspect of your research paper. It is, however, not graded. Those who do not come prepared with this assignment will be marked down 5% of their overall grade.REQUIRED
Rough Draft1000 words. ibid.REQUIRED
Final Research Paper2000 words25%
Final PresentationInformal, five-minute pitch where you establish your thesis in the context of one academic discipline, your counter arguments and your conclusion. This will count as your final exam.5%
Research Brainstorm  REQUIRED
ParticipationCf. carefully my note on what participation consists of below.5%
Quizzes There are two quizzes worth 5% each.10%

-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 assignment
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:

 

Since the course is based on a series of in-class writing workshops and activities, regular attendance and class contribution are essential. As such, students are required to attend all class meetings. Students are allowed 3, no-questions-asked absences per semester for both the expected (i.e., being the best man in your brother’s wedding) and the unexpected (i.e., a flat tire). Each additional absence beyond the 3 allowed, with the exception of absences excused by the Dean's Office, will result in the reduction of the final grade for the course of 5%. Students who arrive to class after attendance has been taken will be counted as late. Two late arrivals will count as one absence. Note well that 6 absences or more will result in an automatic failure for the course. 

Please also note that the Participation 5% of your final grade will reflect your timeliness, your work ethic, your attentiveness, your grit and perseverance, your inquisitiveness and creativity, and your respect for your colleagues. If you are dwindling in these areas, you will be given an opportunity at the Mid-term conference to improve your conduct after which point, should you not improve, you grade will be thusly affected.

Writing Center: I encourage you all to visit the Writing Center as good practice for excellent composition. As such, I may take into consideration your Writing Center attendance in calculating your final grade if: 1) At the end of the semester your grade is on the cusp i.e., a 79.9% and 2) Your writing has demonstrably improved as a result of your having put into practice what you have learned at the Writing Center.

Please note that there is homework in nearly every class so if you are absent, you are still responsible for whatever material was covered in class. Papers or homework due on the day of the absence are to be turned in via email or via another student. Do not email the instructor asking what the homework is or what we covered in class: contact a classmate instead and of course, check Moodle.

Scheduled in-class essays may not be made up unless arrangements are made with the professor before the day of the absence.

The use of computers and phones is not permitted during class unless indicated by the instructor.  

If a major scheduled grading event (assignment due, in-class essay, presentation) is scheduled for that class period, and you don’t show up and don’t have a university-sanctioned excuse (see below) then you will lose the points for that activity. Please refer to the JCU Academic Policies link on the website for the University's Absence Policy.

 

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY 
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. 
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

Schedule



Please note that this schedule will change depending on course progress. There will be in and out of class readings assigned throughout the semester related to the topic that week. Homework will be assigned daily.

Week 1:            

Introduction to Course

Syllabus and Requirements-Goals, Expectations and Texts

Grading Policy

Email Etiquette

Formal and Informal Register: Letter Writing

How to Write a CV

Grammar review, Run-ons, fragments

 

Week 2:           

Quiz on course policy/syllabus

Critical Reading, Source Criticism, Evaluating Sources

Annotating

The Characteristics of Summary

Paraphrasing and Plagiarism

Descriptive Essay Techniques

                                                                                                  

Week 3:           



In class essay #1

Workshop In class essay #1

HW/Reading: Read MFW p. 12-22 “The Writing Process.”  Study University Plagiarism policy in preparation for quiz. Read Graff et al. Ch. 1 “They Say: Writing as Response. Entering the Conversation and the Argument.” Bring laptops to workshop essay #1 for Wednesday’s class.

Week 4: 

Quiz on plagiarism

Entering the Conversation and the Argument

Ways of Responding: Agreeing and Disagreeing Simultaneously

The Art of Quoting

In class essay # 2



Week 5: 

Library session #1 on sourcing and doing research

Introduce final research paper topics

Workshop in class essays #2

 

Week 6: 

Brainstorm disciplines for papers

Discuss assigned reading

Library session #2 on sourcing and doing research

Wednesday, 8 March.

Week 7: 

Finish discussion of reading and literary themes.

Parts of the paper: How to write an annotated bibliography

 

Week 8: 

In class essay #3

Workshop in class essay #3

 

Week 9:

Mid-Term Warnings Issued

Primary vs. Secondary Sources; Bias and Objective Sources

MLA 8th edition discussion-Formatting Basics, Page Layout and Paragraphing, and

Parenthetical Citation-Works Cited

Quiz on MLA

MLA vs APA

Parts of the paper: How to Write a Thesis discussion

How to draft a research proposal

Week 10: 

Parts of the Paper-How to write an outline

How to write a review of the literature discussion

 

Week 11: 

Research Proposals due

Academic Writing and Your Own Voice

Review of Literature due

Planting a Naysayer: Addressing your critics

Week 12: SPRING BREAK

Week 13: 

Outline due

Ain’t So, Is Not: Mixing the Academic and the Colloquial

Parts of the Paper: How to write the Introduction, Body and Conclusion

So What, Who Cares: Saying Why it Matters

As a Result: Connecting the Parts

Argument and Logical Fallacies

Week 14: 

Rough draft due (Workshop)

Final course evaluations

Week 15: 

Final papers due-in class presentations

NO FINAL EXAM WEEK. I will be available for consultations.