JCU Logo
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-2"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2019
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Tara Keenan
EMAIL: tkeenan@john cabot.edu
 HOURS: MTWTH 9:00-10:50 AM
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:
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 TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
They Say, I Say, 4th editionGerald Graff, Cathy NirkensteinNorton978-0-393-63167-8 Copies may be available at the Almost Corner Bookshop   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Quizzes/Worksheets/Homework 20
In class essays (handwritten in class) 30
Annotated Bibliography/Review of Literature 25
Preliminary Outline Required
Rough Draft Required
Final Research Paper 20
Final Presentation 5
Note well: Late assignments will lose five points for each day late  

-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 course. (90-92 = A-; 93-100 = A)
BThis 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. (80-82 = B-; 83-86 = B; 87-89 = B+)
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. (70-72 = C-; 73-76 = C; 77-79 = C+)
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. (60-62 = D-; 63-66 = D; 67-69 = D+)
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. (<60) Note well: Each assignment handed in late will be subject to a loss of five points for each day it is late.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings. Students are allowed 2 absences during the term (excused or unexcused). Each additional absence beyond the two 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

Schedule
Please note that this schedule will change depending on course progress. Always check Moodle for the most accurate schedule. There will be in and out of class readings assigned throughout the semester related to the topic that week. Homework will be assigned daily. Be prepared for a minimum of two hours of homework each night. Students who do not come prepared to class with every below-listed element will lose points.

Week 1

Monday

·         Introductions

·         Walk

·         Homework: Book, Moodle, Photo, Researched Response

Tuesday

·         Researched Response

·         Read, annotate Burckhardt

·         Homework: Researched Response 2nd, Read Introduction and Ch1 of Graff and Birkenstein

Wednesday

·         Kunstler

·         Homework: Rushkoff (selection)

Thursday

·         Rushkoff

·         Homework: Prepare for Essay 1

Week 2

Monday

·         Essay 1

·         Zotero

·         Homework: Read Savic and Savicic

Tuesday

·         Unpleasant Design

·         Homework: Researched response, Read and annotate Ch 2, 3

Wednesday

·         Brainstorming

·         Research Question

·         Chapter 2, 3

·         Homework: Write research question, start finding sources, Read and annotate Sanneh

Thursday

·         Sanneh

·         The Annotated Bibliography

·         Homework: Prepare for Essay 2, Bring in 1 annotation

Week 3

Monday

·         Essay 2

·         Look at annotation

·         Sample Annotated Bibliographies

Tuesday

·         Literature Review

·         Homework: Annotated Bibliography due tomorrow

Wednesday

·         TBA

·         Homework: Literature Review due

Thursday

·         TBA

·         Homework: Write draft due Tuesday, read and annotate Ch. 4, 5, 6 due Wednesday

Week 4

Monday

NO CLASS TODAY (Make up to be scheduled)

Tuesday

·         Schedule conferences, Draft Due

·         Zotero II

·         Homework: MLA quiz

Wednesday

·       Ch 4, 5, 6  
. MLA Quiz

Thursday

·         TBA

·         Write your final paper

Week 5

Monday

·         TBA

Tuesday

·         TBA

Wednesday

·         TBA

Thursday

·         Final Paper Due

Friday

·         Final exam (do not make travel plans for this day).