Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-8"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2025

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Fenella Joan Collins Smith
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
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 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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
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.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
They Say I Say - The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing - 6th edition	Gerald Graff - Cathy Birkenstein	Norton	tbc

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
In-Class Critical Reading and Response	Two in-class readings and responses to critical texts. Using templates from 'They Say/I Say' the student is required to answer critical questions about the texts. The two highest grades out of the three assessments will be taken.	20
At-Home Essay	Your mid-term critical response to an essay discussed in class.	20
Annotated Bibliography		15
Literature Review		15
Final Research Paper		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:
Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings. Students are allowed 3 absences during the term (excused or unexcused). Each additional absence beyond the three allowed will result in the reduction in the final grade for the course by 5%. Students arriving to class after attendance has been taken will be counted as late. Two late arrivals will count as an absence. Please refer to the JCU catalog for the attendance and absence policies. Please note that there is homework in nearly every class, so if you are absent it is your responsibility to call a classmate for the assignment. Any student who attends less than 70% of classes will fail the course.

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:

Class 1 - Welcome, Syllabus, class topic, Writing Center, William Zinsser
Class 2 – TSIS Intro + 1

Week 2 -

Class 1 - TSIS Ch 2 + 3
Class 2 -Ted Talk - 'The Magic of Diasporas'

Week 3

Class 1 –TSIS Ch 4
Class 2 - Discussion of Berns-McGowan essay

Week 4

Class 1 - TSIS Ch 5 - In Class Essay 1
Class 2 – Thesis Statements and Source Presentations

Week 5 –

· Class 1 - TSIS Ch 6, naysay

Class 2 - Paraphrasing

Week 6

Class 1 - TSIS 7
Class 2 –Discussion of Lily Cho's 'Turn to Diaspora' - paraphrasing - AT HOME ESSAY

Week 7 -

Class 1 - TSIS 8 - Cho discussion
Class 2 – Mindmapping for research topics, The research question,

Week 8

Class 1 - TSIS 9 - IN-CLASS WRITING 2
Class 2 -LIBRARY SESSION

Week 9

Class 1 - TSIS 10 Classical and Rogerian Arguments, How to Enter the Conversation
Class 2 - How easy it is to plagiarize, MLA, class discussion, Annotated Bibliography

Week 10

Class 1 - TSIS 11 - Annotated Bibliography clarifications
Class 2 – How to make a thesis statement, research discussions - Literature Review

Week 11

Class 1 - Literature Review clarifications
Class 2 – Drafting, annotated bibliography deadline

Week 12

Class 1 – Lit review deadline on Moodle and in class
Class 2 - Draft workshops

Week 13

Class 1 - Transitions, Conclusions
Class 2 - PEER REVIEWS

Week 14

Class 1 - Works Cited, final questions
Class 2 - Paper due and Final presentation instructions

Finals week
Final presentations.
Our final exam could be any day during finals week. Make your plans accordingly.