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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-18"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2023
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: James Teasdale
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 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:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course prepares students to read, think, and write critically. Students will develop their ability to read critically and analyze primary and secondary sources, hone their composition skills through in and out of class essays, and will complete the course by writing and revising a fully-documented and well-reasoned research paper, complemented by an annotated bibliography and literature review. EN110 focuses on the argumentative form, encouraging students to position their work within current critical discourses. The course develops the following skills: source selection and interrogation, identification and contextualization of themes, thesis development and defense, digital literacies, use of library resources, and careful citation in MLA style. 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.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course focuses heavily on developing a keen understanding of academic essay construction, which can be effectively deployed by the student. Therefore, the course is constructed around lessons and workshops which explore various rhetorical modes, alongside in-class and at-home essay writing which puts the new skills to use. Elements touched upon include various essay styles and functions, writing from the sentence through the paragraph to the complete essay as well as the analysis of expository essays. However, apart from writing, and emphasis is also placed on critical thinking and the careful planning of arguments and positions whuch will ultimately be converted into essay content. Practical skills covered include the proper use of MLA citation, effective sourcing and the foundations for research papers. Alongside this general writing vein will be a parallel focus on grammar, with tutoring improving overall grammatical understanding which will in turn feed into the writing practice.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course students will have a strong understanding of different rhetorical modes, their purpose and uses and the varying content and structural requirements of each. Students will be able to produce refined academic essays, with strong structural coherence and unity in which can be found logical and critical arguments suitable for different purposes and contexts. Students will also have a more nuanced approach to critical reading, in particular in appreciating how far this can inform their own writing style. As part of EN-103 this overall standard will have to be complemented by a strong command of correct and appropriate grammatical elements.
 
To pass EN-103 students will have to demonstrate the ability to,
 
RHETORIC
-Write effective sentences, paragraphs and essays and have these operate as a whole
-Understand each of the rehtorical modes covered, including their fundamental characteristics and when each should be utilised
-Prepare useful and effective outlines in the planning stage
-Proffread and edit drafts
-Deploy thesis statements, topic sentences and supporting arguments within essays
-Construct indtroductions, body paragraphs and conclusions
-Produce logically robust essay content
-Think critically throughout the writing process
 
READING
-Read complex and demanding material from various academic and literary contexts
-Engage with aofrementioned material in a critical manner
 
VOCABULARY
-Develop a strong range of vocabulary which can be used appropriately depending on specific tasks and audiences
-Constantly expand vocabulary for the benefit of written pieces
 
GRAMMAR
-Use correct grammar appropriate for English prose
-Use different grammatical functions in a sophisticated way
 
RESEARCH
-Develop research skills necessary for the researching and evaluation of different sources
-Use MLA citation formatting correctly
-Avoid plagiarism
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
At Home Essays 75
Final Exam 25

-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:
This course prepares students to read, think, and write critically. Students will develop their ability to read critically and analyze primary and secondary sources, hone their composition skills through in and out of class essays, and will complete the course by writing and revising a fully-documented and well-reasoned research paper, complemented by an annotated bibliography and literature review. EN110 focuses on the argumentative form, encouraging students to position their work within current critical discourses. The course develops the following skills: source selection and interrogation, identification and contextualization of themes, thesis development and defense, digital literacies, use of library resources, and careful citation in MLA style. 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.
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

WEEK 1

 

1. Course introduction / Syllabus outline / Academic etiquette and disciplinary rules / Paragraphs (Introduction)

 

2.  Rhetorical modes (expository essay) / In depth workshop on introduction paragraphs (context, topic, thesis statements and body preview) / Introduction to body paragraphs

 

WEEK 2

 

3. Rhetorical modes (clarification essays) / In depth workshop on body paragraphs (leading idea, claims, support, unity and coherence)

 

4. The writing process (purpose, prewriting, organising, drafting, revising, editing and proofreading) / Workshop on prewriting and planning / HOMEWORK ESSAY 1

 

WEEK 3

 

5. Conclusion workshop / Essay structure review

 

6. Discussion and annotation (Essay) / ESSAY 1 DUE

 

WEEK 4

 

7. Rhetorical modes (extended definition essays) / Sentence structure / Workshop on extended definition essay

 

8. IN-CLASS ESSAY 1 (extended definition)

 

WEEK 5

 

9.Library session

 

10. Rhetorical modes (cause and effect essays) / Chain, block, distinguishing cause and effect / Workshop on cause and effect essay / HOMEWORK ESSAY 2

 

WEEK 6

 

11. Ethos, Pathos, Logos / Rhetorical modes (argumentative essays)

 

12. Argumentative essay in depth (block, point by point, counter argument and rebuttal, pre-planning) / HOMEWORK ESSAY 2 DUE

 

WEEK 7

 

13. IN-CLASS ESSAY 2 (argumentative)

 

14. Library session

 

WEEK 8

 

15. Rhetorical modes (summary response essays) / Essay (Calvino)

 

16. Workshop on summary response essay / Discuss and annotate Calvino essay / HOMEWORK ESSAY 3

 

WEEK 9

 

17. Rhetorical modes (problem solution essays) / Paragraphs (point by point, block and transition) / Article (plastic)

 

18. Discuss and annotate article / Workshop on problem solution essay / HOMEWORK ESSAY 3 DUE

 

WEEK 10

 

19. IN-CLASS ESSAY 3 (problem solution)

 

20. Grammar elements (academic writing)

 

WEEK 11

 

21. Rhetorical modes (process essays)

 

22. IN-CLASS ESSAY 4

 

WEEK 12

 

23. Rhetorical modes (cause and effect essays)

 

24. Research papers

 

WEEK 13

 

25. MLA citation

 

26. Course review

 

WEEK 14

 

27. Preparation for finals exam

 

28. Preperation for finals exam

 

N.B ALTERATIONS TO SCHEDULE MAY BE CARRIED OUT DURING THE SEMESTER