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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 105-4"
COURSE NAME: "English Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Mattia Maglione
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement via JCU English Composition Placement Exam
OFFICE HOURS: MW 7:30PM
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, using different rethorical methods.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Models for WritersAlfred F. Rosa Boston [Mass.] : Bedford/St. Martin's0312557310PE1417 .M56 

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%
Research essay Guidelines will be given during the course. 10%
Midterm Guidelines will be given during the course. 20%
Final Guidelines will be given during the course. 30%
MLA quiz I & IIGuidelines will be given during the course.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 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

WEEK 1:

  • Topics:
    • Course Introduction
    • What is Academic Writing?
    • Discussion on AI vs Academic Writing
    • Academic Honesty
    • + The Writing Center
  • Focus:
    • Introduction to Pre-Writing: Outlining and Brainstorming
    • Defining a Topic
    • Narration
  • Reading: A. Bourdain

WEEK 2:

  • Topics:
    • Description vs. Narration
    • The Academic Paragraph
    • Topic Sentences I
  • Focus:
    • Narration vs Description in practice. Analysis of movie reviews.
    • Barbie (2023)A Complete Unknown (2025)
      • The Big Lebowski (1998)

WEEK 3:

  • Topics:
    • Topic Sentences II
    • Support and Citation
    • MLA Basics
  • Focus:
    • "The Quote Sandwich"
    • MLA Citation (in-text, titles, works cited page)
  • Exam/Quiz: In-Class Essay I

WEEK 4:

  • Topics:
    • The Essay I: Introduction, Thesis, Body & Conclusion
    • Effective Thesis Statements vs. Simple Statements
  • Exam/Quiz: MLA Quiz I

WEEK 5:

  • Topics:
    • The Essay II:
      • Models of the Canon
      • Compare & Contrast
      • Cause & Effect
    • Transitions
  • Reading: Stephen King

WEEK 6:

  • Topics:
    • The Essay III:
      • The Canon: Argumentative Essays
    • Transitions
    • Lead-ins
  • Reading: M. Sherry
  • Exam/Quiz: Midterm

WEEK 7:

  • Topics:
    • Argumentation I:
      • Slanting the Thesis
      • Reporting Verbs
      • Counterclaims
  • Reading: Martin Luther King

WEEK 8:

  • Topics:
  • Argumentation III: Rebuttals
  • Using Databases: Frohring Library Search, JSTOR, Google Scholar, and the Peer Review System
  • Exam/Quiz: In-Class Essay II

WEEK 9:

  • Topics:
    • Databases (continued)
    • Summaries
    • Paraphrasing
    • Elbow’s ‘Believing Game’

WEEK 10:

  • Topics:
    • Writing the Concluding Paragraph
  • Exam/Quiz: Research Essay

WEEK 11:

  • Topics:
    • Semi-Academic vs. Academic Texts
    • MLA Recap
  • Reading: K. A. Appiah

WEEK 12:

  • Topics:
    • On Style and Stylistic Elements
  • Exam/Quiz: MLA Quiz II

WEEK 13:

  • Topics:
    • Workshop: Peer Editing & Drafting

WEEK 14:

  • Topics:
    • Workshop: Peer Editing & Drafting II + Berger (In-Class Screening)
  • Exam/Quiz: Final Essay

Additional Information:

  • Readings & Materials: All textbook readings and class materials will be linked via Moodle.
  • Absence Policy:
    • Maximum of 4 unexcused absences; more than 4 will result in a failing grade.
    • Two late arrivals count as one absence.
  • Late Assignments: Will not be accepted.