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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-8"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2019
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Aidan Fadden
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 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:

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 and students must demonstrate these abilities when writing essays and the research paper. In addition to regular in- and out-of-class reading and writing assignments, students are required to write a fully documented research paper of at least 2000 words.

Students must receive a grade of C or above in this course to fulfill the University’s English Composition requirement and be eligible to take courses in English literature.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will be able to write well-organized argumentative essays and to do basic academic research.

 Although it is difficult to provide a checklist for ‘good writing’, EN 110 students will work on four main aspects of their writing:

 1. The evaluation of content includes the clarity and interest of the central idea (thesis), the strength and appropriateness of the support, and the depth of the student’s insight into the topic. Students should seek to back-up their arguments with appropriate, interesting and thought-provoking material.

 2. The focus on organization is the construction of the paper in terms of paragraphs. This includes paragraph unity and development, logical progression of ideas, and the effectiveness of the introduction and conclusion. Students should seek to achieve fluidity and readability in their writing.

 3. The style is communicted through tone and word choice, as well as varied sentence structures and vocabulary to maintain interest. Clarity of diction and syntax is essential. The tone should be consistent and appropriate.

 4. Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and correct application of appropriate conventions are all fundamental in order to guarantee readability.

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
4 -6 In class essays and at home essaysArgumentative essays of at least 5 - 7 paragraphs50
An academic research paper A researched and fully-documented paper, including a proposal and first draft, of around 2000 words. 30
homework and in-class exercisesshorter writing and research tasks10
Final examA written summary of the paper and short presentation in class 10

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AOutstanding Grade A/A-: This is outstanding writing which reflects a perceptive and thoughtful response to the assignment. It is well organized with excellent development of ideas and reflects the writer's command of appropriate rhetorical strategies. When sources are used, they are correctly cited and smoothly integrated into the text. The prose is vigorous and fresh, and the writer is clearly in control of the standard conventions of English prose. There are no errors in the mechanics of writing.
BVery Good Grade B/B-: This is very good writing that fulfills the assignment and shows evidence of clear, mature thought and good planning. It is well organized with good supporting details. The student has introduced elements of novelty and has clearly done some valid research and indicated sources. The writing is fluent, and there are only minor, sporadic errors in the mechanics of writing which do not detract from the overall essay.
CSatisfactory Grade C/C-: This is satisfactory writing that fulfills the assignment and is adequately developed. It reflects the source materials and class discussion At C level, the writing is clear and coherent with relatively few errors in usage and mechanics, but the writer fails to demonstrate any particular strength that would mark this writing above average. At C- level, mechanics and usage are frequently not under control, and/or the student has not really engaged with the topic.
DBelow Average Grade D/D-: This is below-average writing which fulfills the assignment but exhibits major problems in writing. There may be difficulty with the presentation of ideas (e.g., lack or total absence of a clear thesis, weak organization, poor development of ideas, or incoherence), or it may reflect poor control of the conventions of standard English prose (e.g., poor use of idiom, inappropriate diction, poor spelling) or be marred by enough errors in the mechanics of writing to seriously distract the reader.
FUnsatisfactory Grade F: This is writing that relates to the topic but fails to fulfill the assignment either because of poor organization and lack of clarity or because the writing reflects a lack of control over the basic conventions of standard English usage. There may be frequent sentence boundary problems, poor use of idiom, inappropriate diction (words used incorrectly), agreement errors, or basic verb tense problems.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Because the course is based on a series of workshops and in-class activities, attendance and class contribution are essential. Three or more absences may result in a student failing the course. Late arrivals are disruptive and show a lack of respect for the instructor and for other students; therefore, two late entrances count as one absence

All students must turn in essays and homework punctually. When a student is absent, he or she is responsible for finding out what was covered during the lesson and what homework was given. Papers or homework due on the day of absence should be turned in both electronically and (if possibile) in hard copy via another student. Late papers will be marked down by half a grade  (from A to A-, for example) for every day late. After one week,an assignment wiill no longer be accepted. Assignments are considered on time only if submitted at (or before) the beginning of class on the due date. Scheduled in-class essays may not be made up unless arrangements are made with the professor before the day of absence in the event of a student having a valid reason. Students may also be required to submit via ‘Turnitin’.

Computers, cell phones, and all electronic devices must be turned off and put away during class. Eating during class is not permitted.
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

n.b the schedule is subject to change

At least two library visits will also be scheduled during the course

In-class essays may be scheduled as and when deemed necessary and at least four visits to the writing center are recommended. 







n.b



The course book should be available from the Anglo-American Bookshop in Rome but it can be obtained second-hand much more cheaply, especially on the internet. students will be expected to have the book for the first week of classes.







 

Lesson 1

Introduction to the course and requirements; goals and expectations

Prepare for quiz on syllabus. Read the online syllabus carefully.

 

Reading task for homework

 

Lesson 2

Introduction to argument; focus on grammar/revision element of the course. 

An introduction to arguments and argumentative writing.

Writing and research task – a basic argumentative topic to get started

Reading assignment

 

 

Lesson 3

Does truth exist? Sophism and winning arguments.

Truth-seeking and persuasion;

Topic: Student-rights issues or Contemporary Issues

 

 

Lesson 4

Possible library visit



Lesson 5

Reading and inquiry

How to explore issues and generate ideas



Ethos, pathos, logos

Writing task

 

 Lesson 6



A contemporary discussion: e.g. immigration, ‘ius soli’, travellers and Roma people.



Using sources and looking at bias in sources, especially news media.

Reading and/or Video assignment

 

Lesson 7

Moving your audience; Dialectic thinking

An exploratory essay as a way of examining the issue

Reading assignment

 

 

Lesson 8

Issue questions and classic argument structure

Genuine and pseudo arguments

Reading assignment: sexual/gender ethics

 

Lesson 9

Considering your audience

Moving your audience

How to look at both sides of the issue: rebutting and conceding

 

Lesson 10

Preaching to the converted v. Persuading a resistant audience

Rogerian Argumentation

Human rights issue



 

Lesson 11

Introduction to the research paper. What is it?

Finding something to write about.

Presenting a first research proposal

 

Lesson 12

Thinking about formulation a research question

Backing up your argument with sources; why academic sources are important

Keeping a working bibliography

The MLA

How to cite and why it is important; using the MLA Handbook; citation exercises; avoiding plagiarism

 

 

 

Lesson 13

Structure of a research paper. Arriving at a first draft.

 

Lesson 14

Research topic. Presenting ideas and discussion of viability.

Narrowing the focus on the topic.

           

 Lesson 15

 Finding sources and presenting them. Annotating a working bibliography.

 

 

Lesson 16

Feedback on working bibliographies

MLA citation exercises part two: paraphrasing, summarizing, and integrating direct quotes

Research for paper

 

 

 

Lesson 17

Rhetorical analysis: assessing effectiveness of an essay

 

Lesson 18

Overview of different types of claims

Lesson 19

Workshop on works cited page MLA format

 

Lesson 20

Definitional arguments; class discussion 

Lesson 21

Causal arguments:

Writing Arguments/Other materials

 

Lesson 22

First Draft of Research paper due (including works cited)

 

Lesson 23

Resemblance arguments;

Feedback on first draft of research paper

 

Lesson 24

Workshopping research paper

 

Checking layout, MLA style, use of citations

 

Lesson 25

Evaluation and ethical arguments; last minute questions/difficulties with research paper/ revision in class; student errors of citation format and corrections together

Lesson 26

Proposal arguments

 

Lesson 27

Preparation for final exam

 



Lesson 28

Course evaluation; general revision for final exam