JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY COURSE CODE: "EN 105-6" COURSE NAME: "English Composition" SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2019

SYLLABUS INSTRUCTOR: Nefeli Misuraca 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 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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 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                          - Use 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 The Say, I Say, 4th edition Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein Norton 978-0-393-63167-8   Copies may be found at The Almost Corner Bookshop in Via del Moro

REQUIRED RESERVED READING: NONE RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING: NONE

GRADING POLICY -ASSESSMENT METHODS: Assignment Guidelines Weight essay   % -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. 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: 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. The final exam period runs until ____________

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

Note: This schedule is subject to change based on the progress of the class. Students will be informed in class regarding changes. Each student who is absent must contact classmates regarding assignments due and scheduling. SCHEDULE   Lesson Topic Activity Homework 1 Introduction Course requirements. (syllabus, books) TBA 2 Identifying  a topic, organization and goal setting                  - writing research papers (WRP)      chap 2, 3) Sample reading activities At home response to reading 3 Evaluating sources WRP 8 Worksheet activities Write a 500 word proposal Submit reviewed proposal 4    Gathering Sources outside the library - WRP 4        Peer review of proposal      Revision of Proposal         5  Gathering Sources inside the library Library Visit   6 Writing Effective Notes and Creating Outlines WRP Ch. 9                In-class response to reading 1 Reading activity 7 Conducting Research MLA Handbook 1.4 Annotated Bibliography   8 Looking at Paradigms WRP Worksheet activities 9 The outline WRP 9 Write a basic outline Write a formal detailed outline 10 Effective note-taking WRP 9 Revision of formal outline   11 Academic Writing WRP 10   12 Blending MLA style WRP 11+14 Study for MLA style Test 13 Understanding and avoiding plagiarism WRP 7 MLA style test   14 The writing process WRP 12 Worksheet activities 15 The writing process WRP 12 Worksheet activities 16 TBA Write Draft - 2000 words 17 Editing and revisions Revision of Draft Write final paper 18 Editing and revising peer review   19 Editing and revisions   20 Wrap up Final Class - Collect final papers - late papers are not accepted