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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-8"
COURSE NAME: "English Composition III"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Cacoulidis Cleo
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 17:30-18:45
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, in particular argumentative essays, and leads students through the process of writing an academic research paper. Elements covered include thesis development, critical reading, analysis, organizing and outlining, paraphrasing and summarizing, and proper citation format and documentation. Techniques of academic research and the use of the library and other research facilities and sources are discussed. In addition to regular reading and writing assignments, students are required to write a fully documented research paper. Students must receive a grade 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 examines and reinforces the skills needed to write well-organized essays, focusing specifically on argumentative essays. Emphasis is placed on thesis development, critical reading, analysis, organizing and outlining, paraphrasing and summarizing, and proper citation format and documentation. Techniques of academic research and the use of the library and other research facilities and sources are discussed. In addition to regular reading and writing assignments, students are required to write a fully documented research paper. Students must receive a grade 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:
Students who successfully complete the course should be able to write well-organized essays, especially argumentative essays, as well as well-researched and documented academic papers
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide (13th Edition) James D. Lester Longman978.020.565.1924     
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (7th Edition)Modern Language AssociationModern Language Association 978.160.329.0241      
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
1 Research paper (10 pages excluding works cited, contents & cover pages)  30%
1 Draft/Outline of research paper (4-5 pages) Mandatory/Not Graded
3 Essays—synthesis, analysis, argument (2-3 pages each)  15% each
1 Critique (2 pages)  15%
Attendance & Participation — 5% each (total = 10%)  5% each (total = 10%)

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Students and faculty recognize that the grade the instructor gives is a professional judgment of the quality of the student’s submitted work and that grades are based on shared assumptions and expectations. At a basic level, assignments must be submitted on time, be clearly focused and organized, and present a discernable thesis statement. Ideas and conclusions are to be adequately supported, and research documentation well integrated and effectively presented. A formal writing style is required, along with proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

The grade of ‘A’ reflects excellence. The ‘A’ paper offers a well-focused and organized discussion appropriate to the instructor’s assignment, reflects critical use of relevant materials, and demonstrates effective and formal writing requirements. Papers involving research and outside sources must demonstrate outstanding efforts to identify varied pertinent sources, to employ those materials critically in the text of papers, and to provide error-free citations of those sources.

The grade of ‘B’ represents an effort beyond satisfactory and indicates the paper was completed in an appropriate and competent manner. In general, the paper demonstrates a strong attempt at original and critically analysis, writing and research. The ‘B’ paper may contain minor errors in grammar/punctuation or citations, and its thesis or conclusions may be undeveloped or too weakly supported.

The grade of ‘C’ represents a satisfactory or appropriate paper: the average work expected for university courses. The presentation is organized around a central idea with arguments supported by relevant examples. The paper is structured into correctly written paragraphs and sentences. Although fulfilling the assignment, the ‘C’ paper may exhibit one or more weaknesses, including, but not limited to, errors of punctuation and grammar, imprecise or incorrect word usage, inaccurate or uncritical use of research materials, occasional inconsistency of organization or development, and lack of direct relevance of the selected research materials to the topic.

The grade of ‘D’ indicates that the paper may have a poorly defined thesis, lack a clear focus or organization, and contain unsupported generalizations or conclusions. Research is inadequate, not clearly relevant, or improperly documented. A less-than-minimal research effort is evident. The paper may also suffer from numerous or major formal writing errors.

The grade of ‘F’ indicates that the paper may relate to the topic and contain a discernable thesis, but is so poorly presented that it fails to fulfill the assignment, or that the paper is not relevant to the assignment and that its topic and thesis are unfocused and ill defined. The paper may also display inadequate organization or development, unsupported generalizations, and nonstandard usage of grammar and syntax. Research support is absent, inadequate, or irrelevant to the assignment.


-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to attend all scheduled classes and to participate in all classroom activities. Students are allowed only two absences (no questions asked, no excuse needed). However, each additional absence beyond the two allowed will result in a reduction from the final grade as follows: 1 point for one absence, 3 points for two absences, 5 points for three absences, 10 points for four absences, and 15 points for five absences. Students with more than 5 absences beyond the allowed 2 will fail the course. Students arriving late to class, after the class attendance has been taken, will be counted as absent. Please refer to the JCU catalog for the attendance and absence policies. 
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

A detailed schedule of the course will be provided on the first day of class.
SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates
17 Jan.Course introduction and requirementsSummary, paraphrase, quotation--posted online  
19 Jan.Summary Paraphrase, quotationChap. 7, pgs. 148-157, Writing Research Papers  
24 Jan.Summary, paraphrase, quotationCritical Reading and Critique, posted online  
26 Jan.Critical reading and critiqueChap. 3-6, pgs 4-9  
31 JanCritical reading and Critique Critique paper due 
2 Feb.Research and documentationMLA book, Chaps. 1-3, text book, Chap. 8-9  
7 Feb.Research and documentation   
9 Feb.Research and documentationChap. 3 explanatory synthesis, posted online, pgs. 22-30, Chap. 9-10Meeting in Library 
14 Feb.Synthesis, writing process, thesis   
16 Feb.Synthesis, writing process, thesisChap. 12  
21 Feb.Argument, writing process Synthesis paper due 
23 FebArgument, writing process   
28 Feb.Argument, writing processChap. 11, MLA Chap. 6, Argument synthesis, posted online  
     
1 MarchAnalysis Argument paper due 
6 MarchAnalysis   
8 MarchAnalysisIn-class readings  
13 MarchAnalysisIn-class readingsDraft of research paper due 
15 MarchAnalysis and ArgumentIn-class readings  
27 MarchResearch, writing processIn-class readings  
29 MarchLibrary sessionMLA Chap. 5  
3 AprilWriting a research paperIn-class readingsAnalysis paper due 
5 AprilWriting a research paperIn-class exercises  
10 AprilWriting a research paper   
12 AprilWriting a research paper   
17 AprilEditing and revisionsIn-class assignments  
19 AprilEditing and revisionsIn-class assignments  
24 AprilEditing and revisionsIn-class assignments  
26 AprilClass wrap up Final research paper due—Late papers will NOT be accepted