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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-3"
COURSE NAME: "English Composition III"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Cox Shannon
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 16:00-17:15
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: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course reinforces the skills needed to write well-organized essays, focusing specifically on argumentative essays, and takes the students through the process of writing a research paper.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Elements covered include thesis development, critical reading, organizing and outlining, paraphrasing and summarizing, and citation and documentation standards. Techniques of academic research and the use of the library and other research facilities are discussed. In addition to regular in- and out-of-class reading and writing assignments, students are required to write a fully documented research paper.

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.

Prerequisite: Placement or EN 105 with a grade of C- or above.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will be able to write well-organized argumentative essays and to do basic academic research.

Although it is difficult to provide a checklist for ‘good writing’, EN 110 students will work on four main aspects of their writing:

1. The evaluation of content includes the clarity and interest of the central idea (thesis), the strength and appropriateness of the support, and the depth of the student’s insight into the topic. The quality of the work decreases if the support is not convincing, or not exciting.

2. The focus on organization is the construction of the paper in terms of paragraphs. This includes paragraph unity and development, logical progression of ideas, and the effectiveness of the introduction and conclusion.

3. The style is communicted through tone and word choice, as well as varied sentence structures and vocabulary to maintain interest. Clarity of diction and syntax is essential. The tone should be consistent and appropriate.

4. Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and correct application of appropriate conventions are all fundamental. Sloppy mechanics discredit a writer and distract readers from the ideas presented in the writing.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric With Readings, 8th editionJohn D. Ramage, John C. Bean, June JohnsonLongman978-0-205-64836-8     
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th editionJoseph GibaldiMLA 2009978-1-60329-024-1      
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
 1. In-class essays (6) 35%*<br /> 2. Out-of-class essays (2) and assignments 15%<br /> 3. Mid-term 10%<br /> 4. Final 20%**<br /> 5. Research Paper 15%**<br /> 6. Class contribution 5%<br /> * Since it is assumed that students' writing ability will improve as the semester progresses, the essay grades earned at the end of the semester carry more weight than those at the beginning of the semester.<br /> ** All students are required to take the final exam and to submit the research paper. 

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Outstanding Grade A/A-: This is outstanding writing which reflects a perceptive and thoughtful response to the assignment. It is well organized with excellent development of ideas and reflects the writer's command of appropriate rhetorical strategies. The prose is vigorous and fresh, and the writer is clearly in control of the standard conventions of English prose. There are no errors in the mechanics of writing.

Very Good Grade B/B-: This is very good writing that fulfills the assignment and shows evidence of clear thought and good planning. It is well organized with good supporting details. The writing is fluent, and there are only minor errors in the mechanics of writing which do not detract from the overall essay.

Satisfactory Grade C/C-: This is satisfactory writing that fulfills the assignment and is adequately developed. The writing is clear and coherent with relatively few errors in usage and mechanics, but the writer fails to demonstrate any particular strength that would mark this writing above average.

Below Average Grade D/D-: This is below-average writing which fulfills the assignment but exhibits major problems in writing. It may have difficulty with the presentation of ideas (e.g., lack of clear thesis, weak organization, poor development of ideas, or incoherence), or it may reflect poor control of the conventions of standard English prose (e.g., poor use of idiom, inappropriate diction, poor spelling) or be marred by enough errors in the mechanics of writing to seriously distract the reader.

Unsatisfactory Grade F: This is writing that relates to the topic but fails to fulfill the assignment either because of poor organization and lack of clarity or because the writing reflects a lack of control over the basic conventions of standard English usage. There may be sentence boundary problems, poor use of idiom, inappropriate diction (words used incorrectly), agreement errors, or verb tense problems.

The grades in letters are equivalent to the following numbers:
A 4
A- 3.67
A-/B+ or B+/A- 3.5
B+ 3.33
B 3
B- 2.67
B-/C+ or C+/B- 2.5
C+ 2.33
C 2
C- 1.67
C-/D+ or D+/C- 1.5
D+ 1.33
D 1
D- 0.67
F 0

Citation of secondary sources in essays must conform to the standards of the MLA Handbook.



-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Because the course is based on a series of workshops and in-class activities, attendance and class contribution are essential. Four or more absences will affect the final grade for the class, and when a student exceeds 5 absences, for whatever reason, he or she may fail the course. Late arrivals are disruptive and show a lack of respect for the instructor and for other students; therefore, two late entrances count as one absence. 

When a student is absent, he or she is held responsible for all of the work covered during the lesson, and papers or homework due on the day of absence should be turned in via email or another student. Late papers will be marked a half grade off (from A to A-, for example) for every day late. Assignments are considered on time only if submitted at (or before) the beginning of class on the due date. Scheduled in-class essays may not be made up unless arrangements are made with the professor before the day of absence.

Computers, cell phones, and beepers must be turned off and put away during class. Eating and drinking during class are strongly discouraged. If you must do so, please be discrete in order to avoid distracting others from the lesson (or bring enough for everyone!).
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

Session

Session Focus

Reading Assignment

Other Assignment

Meeting Place/Exam Dates

Tuesday January 17

Introduction to the course and requirements; goals and expectations; sample writing

 

 

 

Thursday January 19

Introduction to argument; feedback on sample writing with focus on grammar/revision element of the course

Writing Arguments pages 2-23

 

 

 

Tuesday January 24

Reading and inquiry; preparation for in-class essay 1

Writing Arguments pages 24-57

 

 

Thursday January 26

In-class essay 1

 

 

 

Tuesday January 31

Introduction to research and documentation; library seminar on research tools and resources available and how to determine reliability of resources

MLA Handbook pages 3-40, 51-61; Writing Arguments pages 344-351

 

Class meets in the library

Thursday February 2

Feedback on in-class essay 1 and in-class revision/rewriting activities

 

Bring revision notebook (rubrica)

 

Tuesday February 7

The core of an argument; focus on logos; class discussion and comparative analysis of the assigned essays; preparation for in-class 2

Essays on “Immigration in the Twenty-first Century: Accomodation and Change” Writing Arguments pages 60-88 and 486-504

For Wednesday, February 8: send outline for in-class essay 2 by 2:30 pm.

 

Thursday February 9

In-class essay 2

 

In-class essay 1 rewrite (if applicable) and revision notebook due

 

Tuesday February 14

Feedback on in-class essay 2 and workshop on rewriting/revising; preparation for home essay 1

“Video Games and their Influence” Writing Arguments pages 448-466

Home essay 1 assigned

 

Thursday February 16

Using the MLA Handbook; citation exercises

MLA Handbook pages 115-134 and 181-190; Writing Arguments pages 377-378 (carefully), then skim pages 379-386

Bring your
MLA Handbook

 

Tuesday February 21

Evidence and STAR criteria; Wal-mart and the public good; preparation for in-class 3

Writing Arguments pages 89-108 (everyone), plus pages 558-565 (group 1) or pages 566-568 and 574-576 (group 2) or pages 568-574 (group 3).

 

 

Thursday February 23

In-class essay 3

 

Home essay 1 due

 

Tuesday February 28

Feedback on in-class essay 3; focus on ethos, pathos, and kairos; preparation for midterm: the army debate

Writing Arguments pages 109-123 (everyone); plus pages 528-530 and 549-555 (group 1) or pages 530-540 (group 2) or pages 541-548 (group 3)

 

 

Thursday March 1

 

 

 

MIDTERM essay exam

Tuesday March 6

Feedback on home essay 1 and midterm; focus on addressing the opposition

Writing Arguments pages 124-144

Home essay 2 assigned

MIDTERM identifying and defining test

Thursday March 8

MLA citation exercises part two: paraphrasing, summarizing, and integrating direct quotes

Writing Arguments pages 357-376

Bring your MLA Handbook

 

Tuesday March 13

Rhetorical analysis; preparation for in-class 4

Writing Arguments pages 146-164

 

Thursday March 15

In-class essay 4

 

Home essay 2 due; research paper assigned

 

Tuesday March 27

Feedback on in-class 4; overview of types of claims; workshop on works cited page MLA format

Writing Arguments pages 200-209

Research paper outline and preliminary list of resources (minimum 6) due; bring your MLA Handbook

 

Thursday March 29

Definitional arguments; class discussion on web identities

Writing Arguments pages 210-236 (everyone), and 428-433 (group 1), or 434-439 (group 2), or 439-447 (group 3)

 

Tuesday
April 3

Causal arguments; preparation for in-class 5

Writing Arguments pages 237-265 also page 274

 

 

Thursday April 5

In-class essay 5

 

 

 

Tuesday
April 10

Resemblance arguments; preparation for in-class 6

Writing Arguments pages 264-283

First draft of research paper due (including works cited page)

 

Thursday April 12

In-class essay 6

 

 

 

Tuesday
April 17

Evaluation and ethical arguments; last minute questions/difficulties with research paper/ revision in class; student errors of citation format and corrections together

Writing Arguments pages 284-309

 

 

Thursday April 19

Proposal arguments

Writing Arguments pages 310-342

 

 

Tuesday
April 24

A classical argument

Writing Arguments pages 623-635

Research paper due

 

Thursday April 26

Course evaluation; another argument classic; general revision for final exam

Writing Arguments pages 644-648

 

 

(April 28 -May 4)

Day & time to be established

 

 

FINAL EXAM