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

Attendance is crucial to student success and you are expected to attend every class meeting.

●      You will be allowed three, no-questions-asked absences. After the third absence, 5% will be deducted from the overall grade for each additional absence. After the sixth absence, you will be failed automatically from the course.

●      The only absences that will be excused are those that are approved by the Dean’s office.

●      You are responsible for the material covered and completing in-class assignments if you are absent. Ask a classmate, check the Moodle course page or email me.

●      Missed in-class writings must be submitted at the next class meeting.

●      If you must miss a lesson for religious reasons, please inform me in advance.

●      Absence does not excuse work from being graded as late.

●      To attend a lesson remotely, students must present written permission from the Dean of Students in advance of the lesson.

●      Students who arrive to class after attendance has been taken will be counted as late. Two late arrivals will count as one absence.

Disruptive behavior will result in dismissal from the class and will be counted as one absence. This includes not adhering to COVID measures, sleeping in class or unauthorized use of cell phones, disruptive behavior towards other students or the flow of the class.

Required Textbook:

Title : “They Say / I Say”: the Moves that Matter in Academic Writing: with Readings

Authors : Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein and Russel Durst

Other Contributors : Laura J. Panning Davies

Publisher ‏ : ‎ W. W. Norton & Company; Fifth edition (July 15, 2021)

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages (Note: The e-book version is different than the paperback version. Get the paperback version, if possible)

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0393538702

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0393538700

Required Other Readings: Titles and authors of other readings will be listed on Moodle throughout the semester.

Useful Tools:

In addition to required readings, a handbook of grammar, usage , and reference will be an invaluable resource for you during the semester. The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) is one example of such a source. It is free and widely respected.

Assessment Criteria:

A: Outstanding 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.

B: Very 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.

C: Satisfactory 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.

D: Below 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.

F: Unsatisfactory 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. Students are allowed 3 absences during the term, penalty-free. Each additional absence beyond the 3 allowed will result in the reduction in the final grade for the course by 1%. Students arriving to class after attendance has been taken will be counted as late. Two late arrivals will count as an absence. Students are required to attend at least 70% of all class sessions   for the semester in order to pass. Students who arrive at 8 absences without prior arrangement   with the professor will fail the course outright without further ado. Please refer to our course Moodle page and the JCU catalog for the full attendance and absence policies.

Homework and Other Assignments:

Please note that there is homework in nearly every class, so if you are absent, it is your responsibility to call a classmate – not the professor – and consult the course Moodle page to find out what was covered in class and which assignments are due.

All students must turn in essays and homework punctually. Assignments are considered on time only if submitted at (or before) the beginning of class on the due date. Late assignments will not be accepted.

Class Participation

Your participation is required to contribute to the exchange of ideas on any given topic discussed in class through thorough preparation, active listening, asking questions, taking notes on what is being discussed and providing oral feedback.

Disruptive behavior, including that which interferes with the participation of other students, discussions in class, or lectures by the professor; multi-tasking by reading or working on other assignments, using your phone or other electronic device not specifically required for course activities, initiating or participating in side conversations; sleeping --which, aside from being just  plain rude, is a distraction to all; eating or snacking (if you need to do this for health reasons, please obtain permission first); inappropriate posture during class sessions, arriving late or leaving class early without prior consent from the professor will reflect negatively on you and will incur penalties, including but not limited to a private or public warning from the professor, a request to change location within the classroom, a request leave class for the day without the possibility to make up missed work and resulting in an absence on your attendance record, or – in worse-case scenarios – forced withdrawal from the course.

Leaving class early without prior consent from the professor will result in an absence for that class session.

WRITING CENTER: Students attend at least one Writing Center session to review each in-class essay draft, the final paper draft and the final paper before submission to professor.

The following is a list of communication recommendations:

―      Avoid having a third party write to the professor (parent, therapist, doctor, boss, etc.) and face the music if you missed class or missed an assignment. 

―      Avoid explaining anything about your absence (no epic recitations of food poisoning, missed busses, mental health struggles, surgeries, photos of busted knees, etc.).

―      Your emails should begin with "Dear Professor” and should follow with why you are writing. Ex: “Dear Professor, I am unable to make it to class with good reason. I have checked with my classmates and I plan to hand in the assignment on x day at x time."

―      Let us take it as a given that I believe you and that if you feel it was necessary to miss class, I support you 100%. To this end, late assignments will be capped at 75% and no extension requests will be entertained.

―      This means that reaching out to the Dean's office to petition to be exempted from the course's absence policy is not necessary.

Academic honesty

As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty, including the use of generative AI, 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.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Subject to change based on class needs. Any changes will be communicated immediately by the professor.

Wk 1: Introductions and the Creative Process

Wk 2: The Creative Process and Rhetoric

Wk 3: Making Sources Work for You: Quoting, Paraphrasing and Citing

Wk 10: Blocks

Wk 11: Introductions and conclusions

Wk 15: Finals week

Have a great semester!