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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 105-9"
COURSE NAME: "English Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Mattia Maglione
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement via JCU English Composition Placement Exam
OFFICE HOURS: TTH, by email appointment
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:
This course is designed to have students build a proper research essay, according to academic standards. Each week the students will be presented with a crucial component of academic writing, from brainstorming and pre-writing to MLA citation and essay cohesion. Students will be exposed to primary research skills, as well as in class workshops - lectures dedicated to a specific detail of an essay (eg. paragraphing, thesis statements, topic sentences).
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course is designed to support students in drafting, creating and revising an academic essay. Furthermore, each student will be able to engage in critical thinking and assess basic research methods, in order to effectively develop logical writing threads within their academic writing. The course will also cover the fundamental guidelines of academic honesty and MLA citation. Finally, each student by the end of the course will be able to outline, assemble, and create a complete academic essay through, using different rethorical methods.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Writing Academic EnglishAnn Hogue, Oshima A.Longman/Pearson0131523597PE1408 .H6644 
How to Travel with a SalmonUmberto EcoHarcourt978-0156001250 Read only ch 1. "How to Travel with a Salmon"
The Cambridge Companion to Pop and RockSimon Frith, et all.Cambridge University Press9781139002240https://jculibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/758544567Only CH. 5
Seeing VoicesOliver SacksVintage Books978-0375704079 Only Intro.
MusicophiliaOliver SacksVintage Books978-1400040810 CH.1

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
ParticipationSilent attendance does not count as participation.10%
Two in class essays Guidelines will be given during the course. 20%
Two home papers Guidelines will be given during the course. 20%
Midterm Guidelines will be given during the course. 20%
Final/Final Project Guidelines will be given during the course. 30%

-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 ___TBA_________
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

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE

 

 

 

 


 

Activity

Assignment

Notes

Week 1

Intro + academic honesty + policies + grading guidelines

/

What is academic writing? + The art of pre-writing. Why should we care about composition?

(MLA 1, template)

 

Outlining + brainstorming + paragraphing

Read: (WAC pp. 2 - 13)

Topic and discussion forum:

The academic Funnel.

 

What is pre-writing?

What is a paragraph?

What is a topic sentence?

How to conclude a paragraph.



Week 2

Thesis statement

Read: (WAC pp. 56 - 64)

Thesis Statement.

Necessary uses and examples + How to structure a proper academic essay.


Thesis statement & topic sentences

 Write a paragraph. 

Practical examples and in class workshop. Developing a proper intro and thesis.

What is peer reviewing?

Week 3

Introduction

Write an introduction.

 

 

In class discussion about pop music. Working on definition and breaking down larger topics.

What is a critical stance?

Finding a working general premise.

 

Body Paragraphs

Listen to playlist n.1. 20 mins

 

Read: (WAC pp. 64 - 72)

 

Essentials of three body paragraphs.

What are supporting details and how to cite them.



Week 4

Conclusions

Write three body paragraphs on pop music.

 

Read:

(WAC pp. 39 - 47)

 

 

Body paragraphs, peer rev. & in class discussion.






 

Revision

Write summarizing or reflective conclusion on pop music.

 

//

Week 5

IN CLASS ESSAY 1

/

 

 

Compare and contrast.

   

Read (WAC pp. 111-122)

  		 

Week 6

Process essays.

 

Read WAC (pp. 81-88)

 

Answering the 'how?' in an academic essay.

 

In class discussion: when should we use this type of essay?




 

Personal Narrative

  

Read Umberto Eco: “How to Travel with a Salmon” (1994)

+ Orwell "Why I Write"

Reserved library reading.

Using the first person. + Introducing essay models and typologies.

HOME ESSAY 1

Week 7

Cause & Effect.

  

Read Cause and effect (WAC pp. 94 - 105)+ King


What happens and its consequences?

Structuring basics of cause and effect

 

 

 

Review.

Cause & Effect Continued.

 


Week 8

   Argumentative

Read (WAC pp. 140-150)

MIDTERM

 

  Argumentative

Listen to playlist n.2

20minutes and write a compare & contrast extended body paragraph. Expose differences and similarities.

+ Sherry

 

 

In class reading and discussion – Brian Eno "Ambient Music" 



 

Week 9

Argumentative essay

Environmental Issues + Sources and Peer Rev.

 

Read (WAC pp. 140-150)


In class discussion: how to write an argumentative essay.



 

 

 

Argumentative essay


Review.

 

Week 10

Refinement: Active verbs and transitions. +

Argumentative essay (continued)

   Read Sacks

In class discussion, bits of Oliver Sacks “Seeing Voices” (Small excerpts TBA -- Reserved library reading)

(1989)

 

What is a controversy? How to present ambivalence in an academic paper.

 

  IN CLASS ESSAY 2

 

  

Week 11

  

Argumentative essay (continued)

 

In class screening:

T: Robinson

TH: Adichie



 

Argumentative essay (continued)

 

 Read the intro paragraph of Reconsidering Rock (K. Keighley) Reserved library reading.

How does Keighley present rock?

How can we apply such definition?

What makes this introduction argumentative?

 

Week 12

Evaluating sources + grammar review

//

In class peer reviewing.

 

 

 

HOME REFLECTION PAPER DUE

 

Week 13

Annotate Bibliography (continued)

Write an annotated bibliography. (Max three sources)

 

 

MLA Library Session

 

In class discussion, bits of Oliver Sacks “Musicophilia” (Small excerpts TBA)

Reserved library reading.

(2007)

Week 14

TBA

 

 

 

FINAL

 

 

 

Absence policy: Please note that you have a maximum four unexcused absences for this course. More than four will result in failing the course. Two late arrivals count as one absence.

Essays will be run through Turnitin.

Grading policy: Late essays will lose one letter grade every 24 hours.