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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 105-5"
COURSE NAME: "English Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2024
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Theresa Lindo
EMAIL: arutt@john cabot.edu
HOURS:
TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: Placement via JCU English Composition Placement Exam
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment
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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.
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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.
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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
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| In-class Essays | | 60% |
| Readings and Annotations | | 15% |
| Final Research Paper Presentation | | 15% |
| Participation | | 10% |
-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 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 seventh 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 or check the Moodle course page for any notes or material missed.
● If you will miss a lesson for religious reasons, you must inform me by the first week of class for it to be waved.
● Absence does not excuse work from being graded as late. To receive credit for an assignment, it must be submitted on time, regardless of whether or not you are present that day in class.
● 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 unauthorized use of cell phones, tablets or laptops; disruptive behavior towards other students or the flow of the class; sleeping in class; leaving early from or coming in late to class.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Week
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Topic
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1
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~ Course Introduction
~ 1st Library Visit in-class.
~ Rhetorical modes: Description and narration
~ Grammar review
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2
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~ Understanding sentence structure and paragraph composition
~ Grammar Review: syntax, punctuation and paragraphing
~ Rhetorical modes: Compare/contrast
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3
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~ Description and narration exercises
~ Essay 1 – In class 400-word essay
~ MLA
~ Grammar review
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4
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~ Rhetorical modes: Exposition and argument. Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Kairos
~ Outlining: Traditional vs Mind Mapping. Key elements for a 5-paragraph essay
~ Extended thesis and topic sentences
~ Integrating quotes
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5
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~ Writing Lab
~ Grammar review
~ Essay 2 – In class: 500-word essay
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6
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~ Rhetorical modes: Extended definition.
~ Extended definitions, data and other support
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7
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~ 2nd Library visit in-class. Research methods: identifying and selecting sources. Bring laptops
~ MLA
~ In-class research: finding and integrating sources
~ Counterarguments
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8
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~ Mid-term warnings
~ Begin research paper: topic, proposal and outline due (3 separate sections)
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9
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~ Last day to withdraw from course
~ Selecting and workingwith primary and secondary sources to support thesis
~ Works Cited
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10
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~ Essay structure: Block vs Chain. Inductive vs deductive reasoning and logical fallacies
~ Continue Research Paper
~ Works Cited
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11
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~ Essay 3: 750-1000-word research paper
~ Oral presentation Dos and Don’ts
~ Drafting: Introduction, main body points, conclusion of oral presentation
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12
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~ Final paper oral presentations
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13
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~ Preparing the final exam: topic selection, research, bibliography, quotes, outline
~ In-class writing lab: elegance, style, concision, brevity, syntax, grammar
~ Thursday, November 28 – THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY – No class
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14
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~ Tuesday, Dec. 3 is last day of class. Dry-run of in-class essay 4
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15
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~ Week of December 9: FINAL EXAMS.
Essay 4 – In class: 550-word essay
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