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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-2"
COURSE NAME: "English Composition III"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Pacor Andrea
HOURS: MW 10:00-11:15
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:
The course reinforces the skills needed to write well-organized argumentative essays and takes students through the process of writing a research paper.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course examines a range of fundamental writing strategies, starting with 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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will learn to write a well-organized argumentative paper and do basic research.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers 7th EditionModern Language AssociationModern Language Association of America1603290249     
Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide 14th EdJim D. Lester, Jr. and James D. LesterLongman0205059333     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
In-class responses to readingsFour 200 word responses to reading assignments15
WorksheetsAt home responses to reading assignments15
In-class essay600 word in-class essay15
Topic ProposalTopic proposal for final paper10
Annotated BibliographyAnnotated bibliography of five sources to be used in final paper15
Intermediate OutlineIntermediate outline for final paperMandatory; not graded
Rough Draft1000 word rough draft of final paperMandatory; not graded
Final Paper2000 word research paper30

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.

B:  This 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.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This 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.

F: This 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 with more than five absences will fail the course automatically.
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

M Jan. 16        Course Introduction

W Jan. 18        WRP Ch. 8 (“Reading and Evaluating Sources”)
                        Adler, “How to Mark a Book” (MyJCU)

 

M Jan. 23        Reading 1: “”

W Jan. 25        WRP Ch. 9 (“Writing Effective Notes and Creating Outlines”)
                       In-class response to reading 1

 

M Jan. 30        Reading 2: “”
                        In-class response to reading 2

W Feb. 1         WRP Ch. 2 (“Finding a Topic”)

F  Feb. 3          Reading 3: “”
                        
In-class response to reading 3

 

M Feb. 6          WRP Ch. 3 (“Organizing Ideas and Setting Goals”)[a2] 

W Feb. 8           Reading 4: “”
                         In-class response to reading 4

 

M Feb. 13        In Class Essay (500 words)

W Feb. 15       Terminology and Methodology[a3]  [a4] 

 

M Feb. 20        Reading 5: “” (Worksheet)

W Feb. 22       MLA Handbook 1.4 (“Conducting Resarch”)[a5] 

 

M Feb. 27        Topic Proposal Due[a6] 

W Feb. 29       Reading 6: “” (Worksheet)

 

M Mar. 5         WRP Ch. 11 (“Blending Reference Material into Your Writing”)

W Mar. 7         Reading 7: “” (Worksheet)

F  Mar. 9         Reading 8: “” (Worksheet)

 

M Mar. 12       WRP Ch. 10 (“Drafting the Paper in an Academic Style”)

W Mar. 14       WRP Ch. 12 (“Writing the Introduction, Body, and Conclusion”)

 

M Mar. 19       NO CLASS (Spring vacation)

W Mar. 21       NO CLASS (Spring vacation)

 

M Mar. 26       Annotated bibliography due[a7] 

W Mar. 28       WRP Ch. 13 (“Revising, Proofreading, and Formatting the Rough Draft”)

 

M Apr. 2         WRP Ch. 6 (“Conducting Field Research”)

                        MLA Handbook 1.8 (“Outlining”)

W Apr. 4         Intermediate outline due[a8] 

 

M Apr. 9         NO CLASS

W Apr. 11       Rough Draft Due[a9] 

 

M Apr. 16       Additional book or scholarly article source (Worksheet)

W Apr. 18       Additional general source (Worksheet)

 

M Apr. 23       Last day of class

 

Apr. 28 to May 4 Final Paper Due

 

YOU ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN ROME TO ATTEND FINALS! Make your traveling arrangements accordingly.