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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 105-4"
COURSE NAME: "English Composition II"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Keenan Tara
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 10:00-11:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement via JCU English Composition Placement Exam
OFFICE HOURS: TBA

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course aims to improve student's understanding of what constitutes good writing. A variety of strategies for producing clear and convincing prose are introduced. 
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions and focuses on the development of critical and logical thinking skills. Class time will be devoted to writing that stresses analytical, evaluative, persuasive, and argumentative writing. We will embark on writing by reading a variety of essays and articles meant to spur class discussion and provide fertile material for different types of composition. We will also do a great deal of “writing practice” or in-class writing and revision. Grammar and structural issues will be reviewed as needed. Learning is hands-on in this class: You will participate in discussion and exercises in a practical, workshop-oriented atmosphere. Emphasis will be on honing critical thinking, and on the generation and revision of papers aided by regular peer reviews as the foundation for excellent writing.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course, you will be a more perceptive reader with a clearer understanding of what actually makes good writing. In your own writing, you will find yourself thinking carefully about what and how you write, using a broader vocabulary and more varied sentence structures and taking advantage of the various rhetorical modes to improve essay organization and clarity. All this should increase your confidence and make writing more enjoyable for your audience and for yourself as well.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Writing Academic English, 4th editionAlice Oshima and Ann HoguePearson-Longman978-0-13-152359-3     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
One World, Many Cultures, 8th editionStuart Hirschberg and Terry HirschbergLongman978-0-205-80110-7  
Rhetorical Choices: A Reader for Writers, 2/EKeith Gilyard, Deborah H. Holdstein, and Charles I. SchusterLongman9780321444929  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
In-Class Writing Assignments 30
At-Home Writing Assignments 30
Final Exam 20
Homework, Quizzes, Participation, Attendance 20

-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 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. (90-92 = A-; 93-100 = A)

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 evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. (80-82 = B-; 83-86 = B; 87-89 = B+)

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. (70-72 = C-; 73-76 = C; 77-79 = C+)

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. (60-62 = D-; 63-66 = D; 67-69 = D+)

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 and/or grammatically incorrect. (<60)


 

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings and to participate in all classroom activities. In addition to this weighting of attendance, students are allowed only two absences (no questions asked, no excuse needed). However, each additional absence beyond the two allowed will result in the reduction of the final grade for the course by 5%. Students with more than five absences beyond the two allowed will fail the course.  Student arriving at class after the class attendance has been taken will be counted as absent.

There is homework in every class. It is the student's responsibility to contact classmates to find out what assignment is due. Students who were absent must hand in their missed work on the day they return to class. Late work beyond this deadline will result in a "0".
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

EN 105-4

Course schedule of major assignments*

Dr. Tara Keenan

 

January

T 17 – Orientation

            Discuss syllabus, book

            Discuss writing program, university

                        Homework: Quiz on Syllabus

 

Th 19 – Quiz and correction on Syllabus

Homework: At Home Writing 1

 

T 24 –In Class Revision

                        Homework: Revise At Home Writing 1

 

Th - 26 - In Class Writing 1

                        Homework: Revise In Class Writing 1

 

T 31 -

 

February

Th 2 –

Homework: At Home Writing 2

 

T 7 – In Class Revision

                        Homework: Revise At Home Writing 2

 

Th 9

 

T 14

 

Th 16 – In Class Writing 2

                        Homework: Revise In Class Writing 2

 

T 21 -

 

Th 23

 

T 28

 

March

Th 1 –

Homework: At Home Writing 3

 

T 6 – In Class Revision

                        Homework: Revise At Home Writing 3

 

Th 8

 

T 13

 

Th 15

 

T 20 – Break

Th 22 – Break

 

T 27 – In Class Writing 3

                        Homework: Revise In Class Writing 3

 

Th 29

 

April

T 3 –

Homework: At Home Writing 4

 

Th 5 – In Class Revision

                        Homework: Revise At Home Writing 4

 

T 10

 

Th 12

 

T 17 – In Class Writing 4

                        Homework: Revise In Class Writing 4

 

Th 19 -

 

T 24

 

Th 26 – Wrap Up class

 

Final Exam: TBA

 

 

 

*Please note that there is homework for every class. Should you miss class, it is your responsibility to call your colleagues and find out the assignment. Missed assignments are due as soon as you return to class.