Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 105-5"
COURSE NAME: "English Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2018

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Jonathan Jones
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 11:30-12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement via JCU English Composition Placement Exam
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course concentrates on the development of effective paragraph writing in essays while introducing students to the various rhetorical modes. Elements covered include outlining, the introduction-body-conclusion structure, thesis statements, topic sentences, supporting arguments, and transition signals. Students will also become familiar with the fundamentals of MLA style, research and sourcing, as well as information literacy. To develop these skills, students will write in- and out-of-class essays. Critical reading is also integral to the course, and students will analyze peer writing as well as good expository models. Students must receive a grade of C or above in this course to be eligible to take EN 110. Individual students in EN 105 may be required to complete additional hours in the English Writing Center as part of their course requirements.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course is built around planning, creating and revising a number of assignments both in and out of class, which move beyond basic description or subjective opinion and demonstrate an awareness of critical and logical thinking. By reading a variety of different essays to stimulate in class discussion combined with writing practice in a practical workshop-orientated atmosphere, students will hone and challenge their own capabilities and assumptions regarding their abilities as writers.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course students will have improved and refined their writing through actively engaging in peer review and applying a heightened awareness of critical reading skills both in and out of class. They will have expanded their understanding of different rhetorical techniques employing a broader range of language, varied sentence structure and self reflexive skills to produce essays which have a clear focus as to who their reader is and which reflect the ability to vigorously analyze and assess their own work to a high standard.

Students who successfully complete EN105 (with a grade of C or higher) should be able to

Grammar

* Write grammatically and idiomatically correct English prose with more sophistication

Reading

* Read to comprehend complex material

* Read and think critically

Vocabulary

* Expand vocabulary through reading and writing

* Develop subject specific terminology through reading and writing

Rhetoric

* Write effective paragraphs and essays

* Summarize

* Understand how to recognize and utilize rhetorical modes

* Construct detailed outlines

* Understand the introduction-body-conclusion structure

* Write a strong thesis statement

* Construct topic sentences and supporting arguments

* Utilize transition signals to form an essay that flows

* Think, read, and write critically for an academic audience

Research and sourcing

· Be familiar with research skills including

· Understanding databases, web-based sourcing, and source evaluation

· * Utilize MLA format to cite sources

· * Understand how to avoid plagiarism

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
At Home Essays		30%
In Class Essays		30%
Homework /Quizzes/Class Particpation		20%
Final Exam		20%

-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 cours
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:

READINGS FOR THE COURSE ARE AVAILABLE ON MOODLE - STUDENTS NEED TO PRINT OUT, READ AND ANNOTATE EACH READING IN PREPARATION FOR EACH CLASS. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN A DEDUCTION FROM YOUR PARTICIPATION GRADE.

If you are unable to attend a class session, you should make arrangements with one or more of your classmates to catch up on anything you missed. While illness and emergencies are often unavoidable and understandable, this does not affect how the absence policy will be applied.

· You are allowed 3 absences during the semester. Any absences after this will have a detrimental effect on your final grade. Any student with more than 3 absences at mid-term will receive a mid-term warning. After 5 absences you will receive another warning informing you that your chances of passing the course are now at risk. Seven absences including the 3 absences you are allowed and you fail the course.

Keep in mind that it will be difficult for you to make up missed peer reviews, small group discussions, and spoken lectures and instructions. Even if you are not able to attend, you are still responsible for making sure any assignments due that day are in my hands by the start of class.

You are expected to do your own work. Cheating, plagiarism and any other form of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.

Class participation is part of your grade in this course. This includes both library sessions. To participate you must attend class having prepared the materials for the day. All students are expected to come to class prepared and on time, and remain for the full class period.

Laptops and Cellphones are not permitted in class.

Disruptive behavior will result in dismissal from the class and will be counted as one absence. This includes repeatedly entering and leaving the class once the lesson has begun, doing work for other classes during this class, eating during class, use of the computers/smartphones (checking on your e-mail while in class, surfing the ‘net, etc), talking to others while someone else is talking, repeatedly arriving late to class, sleeping, using profanity, personal or physical threats or insults, damaging property.

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

ASSESSMENT

1 Pop Quizzes

2 At Home Essays
1 - SET 5th SEPT - WORKSHOP 10th SEPT - DUE - 17th SEPT
2 - SET 15th OCT - WORKSHOP 22nd OCT - DUE - 29th OCT
3 - SET 12th NOV - WORKSHOP 26th NOV - DUE - 03rd DEC

3 In Class Timed Essays
1 - SET 24th SEPT - WORKSHOP 01st OCT - DUE 08th OCT
2 - SET 29th OCT - WORKSHOP 31st OCT - DUE 05th NOV
3 - SET 19th NOV -WORKSHOP 21st NOV - DUE 26th NOV

Final Exam - TBA

Schedule

Course Outline (NB: This outline is subject to change)

Week 1

Date SEPT

Topic

Activity

Homework

MON 3th
WED 5th

Introduction to Course

Discuss Syllabus

Read 'Two Ways to Belong in America'

Extended Definition Essays

Pop Quiz – Rules of Course
Annotate 'Two Ways to Belong in America'
Set At Home Essay 1 (500-700 words)

Read Chpt 1 - The Elements of Style

Week 2

Date SEPT

Topic

Activity

Homework

MON 10th
WED 12th

'Two Ways to Belong in America'

Workshop At Home Essay 1

Chpt 2 - The Elements of Style

Extended Definition Essays

Pop Quiz – The Elements of Style – Chpt 1

Writing the Introduction - PPT

Thesis Statements - How to write and identify them.

Read and Annotate - "Living Like Weasels"

Week 3

Date SEPT	Topic	Activity	Homework
MON 17th WED 19th	*Library Session 1*	TBA	Chpt 3 - The Elements of Style Read and Annotate "The Mind Body Problem"
	'What is it like to be a bat?' Extended Definition Essays	At Home Essay Due Read in class 'What is it like to be a bat?' Pop Quiz - Chpt 3 The Elements of Style Games for Gustav	Reread and Annotate 'What is it like to be a bat?"

Week 4

Date Sept	Topic	Activity	Homework
MON 24th WED 26th	'What is it like to be a bat/Living Like Wiesels'	In ClassEssay 1(500 -700)	Read and Annotate 'Living Like Wiesel'
	Living Like Wiesel Extended Definition essays	Sentence Structure - PPT Writing Academic English - Exercises Schindler's List (1993) - Film	TBA

Week 5

Date Oct

Topic

Activity

Homework

MON 01
WED 03

Fallacies
Compare and Contrast Essays

Pop Quiz - Chpt 4 The Elements of Style

Workshop In Class Essay 1

Read E Wiesel 'Why I Write'

'Why I Write' - E Wiesel

PPT Concluding the Essay
Schindler's List (1993) - Film

TBA

Week 6

Date Oct

Topic

Activity

Homework

MON 8th
WED 10th

Compare and Contrast Essays

In Class Essay 1 Due
Pop Quiz – The Elements of Style – Chpt 5

PPT - Writing Argument - Logos, Ethos, Pathos.
Schinder's List (1993) Film

Read and Annotate Bruno Bettleheim 'The Holocaust'

MLA Format

Read and Annotate Bruno Bettleheim 'The Holocaust'

Week 7

Date Oct

Topic

Activity

Homework

MON 15th
WED 17th

B Bettleheim 'The Holocaust'

Set At Home Essay 2 (700 - 1,000 words)

PPT - The Logical Structure of Arguments

Schindler's List (1993) Film

Read and Annotate Primo Levi - Chpt 7 The Drowned and the Saved - Stereotypes

Library Session 2

Promo Levi - Stereotypes

Week 8

Date Oct	Topic	Activity	Homework
MON 22nd WED 24th	The Holocaust	Workshop At Home Essay 2 PPT - Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers	TBA
	Ethos Pathos Kairos	PPT - Ethos, Pathos, Kairos	TBA

Week 9

Date Oct	Topic	Activity	Homework
Mon 29th Wed 31st	The Holocaust	Submit At Home Essay 2 Effective Sentences - PPT	Random Reflections of a Second Rate Mind - W Allen
	Random Reflections of a Second Rate Mind - W Allen	Workshop In Class Essay 2	Revise MLA Style

Week 10

Date Nov	Topic	Activity	Homework
Mon 5th Wed 7th	Argumentative Essays - Rhetorical Modes	Submit In-Class Essay 2 MLA Pop Quiz	A Victim - B Bettelheim
	A Victim - B Bettelheim	Revise Thesis - Rhetorical Triangle - Clarity of Meaning.	Read and Annotate Who Are All These Trump Supporters?

Week 11

Date Nov	Topic	Activity	Homework
Mon 12th Wed 14th	Argumentative Essays - Rhetorical Modes	Set At Home Essay 3	Read and Annotate Who Are All These Trump Supporters?
	Who Are All These Trump Supporters?	TBA	Read and Annotate Inaugural Address - JFK (1960)

Week 12

Date Nov	Topic	Activity	Homework
Mon 19th Wed 21st	So let us begin anew	In Class Essay 3	TBA
	Argumentative Essays - Rhetorical Modes	Workshop In Class Essay 3	TBA

Week 13

Date Nov	Topic	Activity	Homework
Mon 26th Wed 28th	So let us begin anew	Submit In Class Essay 3 Workshop At Home Essay 3	TBA
	TBA	TBA	TBA

Week 14

Date Dec	Topic	Activity	Homework
Mon 3rd Wed 5th	Review of EN 105	Submit At Home Essay 3	TBA
	Preparation for Final Exam	TBA	TBA

Policies on late work :

· Assignments are due at the time and day they are due, this means the beginning of class. Papers are considered late as soon as I begin lecturing. Please take care to note the deadlines announced in class and in this syllabus.

· One late assignment per student (Annotations) will be accepted without penalty. This does not apply to major paper assignments. Major papers will be penalized 10 points (a full letter grade) for every day they are late up to 30 points. Major papers turned in more than three days late will receive a grade of zero.