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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-1"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session I 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Keenan Tara
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 11:00-13:00
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:
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 grammar, 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 and error-free argumentative research paper.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
MyCompLabLongmanPearson ISBN-10: 0205644503 | ISBN-13: 9780205644506 This is a web-based resource you must order at MyCompLab.com    
Writing Research Papers, A Complete Guide: 14th EditionJim D. Lester, Jr. and James D. LesterLongman0205059333     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
In class writing assignments and tests 25
At home writing assignments 25
MyCompLab 20
Homework and quizzes 10
Final Paper 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:
This is a short, intensive course. Be there. On time. Be prepared to go shoulder to shoulder with your colleagues in every class.

Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings. Students are allowed two absences during the term.  Each additional absence beyond the two allowed, with the exception of absences excused by the Dean's office, will result in the reduction in the final grade for the course by 5%.  Students arriving to class after attendance has been taken will be counted as late.  Two late arrivals will count as an absence. 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

Date

Topic

Activity

Homework

M May 21

Introduction

Syllabus, books, finding a topic writing activity - who are we as writers,  syllabus quiz

Get MyCompLab and Writing Research Papers
- Library summary activity

T May 22

Finding a topic, drafting a proposal - WRP 2, 3

 Look at MyCompLab, pet peeves, journal entries, standing on the shoulders of giants, how to narrow down a topic, thesis statements

Write 2 proposals 250 words each

W May 23

Gathering Sources outside the library - WRP 4

Revision of Proposal, common errors, thesis statements

 1000 words on your proposed research topic

Th May 24

Gathering Sources inside the library

Library Visit

 20 sources with 4 sentences each

 

 

 

 

M  May 28

Evaluating sources WRP 8

 The inverted source pyramid, the date, the author, scholarly article, websites, interviews, magazines, newspapers, primary vs. secondary
- In class activity: evaluating sources paragraphs		 Due Tomorrow: Bring in your best source

Due Wednesday: Annotated Bibliography of first half of sources (do not include your best source)

T May 29

The Annotated Bibliography WRP 8

 The Annotated Bibliography
- In class activity:
Summary and Analysis, Simiotics, Deconstructing your best source

Due Thursday: Printout of letter

W May 30

The Annotated Bibliography WRP 8

- Revision of Annotated Bibliography
- Critical analysis of a scholarly article

 Due Monday: Annotated Bibliography of second half of sources 

Th May 31

Effective notetaking WRP 9

 Note taking
- Critical analysis activity

 

 

 

 

M June  4

The outline WRP 9

- Finish critical analysis activity
- The outline

Write a basic outline

T June 5

Basic Outlines
     Primary/Secondary sources and Academic Writing WRP 10

- Discuss Basic Outlines
- Primary vs. Secondary sources
- Academic style

 Write a formal detailed outline

W June 6

Outlines

 -Conference on outlines Find a primary source on the web and write one paragraph analyzing it using academic style pointers from WRP 10

Th June 7

Blending MLA style WRP 11+14

 - MLA citation discussion
- Activity for MLA citation

Study for MLA style Test

 

 

 

 

M June 11

Understanding and avoiding plagiarism WRP 7

MLA style test
Plagiarism
- Activity for MLA citation

T June 12

The writing process WRP 12

 Introductions
- Activity for analysis and MLA citation		 Due Thursday - Write Draft - 2000 words

W June 13

The writing process WRP 12

 The Body
- Activity for analysis and MLA citation, conferences

Th June 14

The writing process
WRP 12

 - Conclusion
- Workshopping
Draft due


 

 

 

 

M June 18

Editing and revisions
WRP 13

Revision of Draft
- Conferences
- What you intend to work hardest on

Write final paper

T June 19

Editing and revisions

 - Editing and Proofreading
- Writing the abstract

W June 20

Editing and revisions

 Planning your presentation for Friday

Th June 21

Wrap up

Final small edits
Final Class - Collect final papers - late papers are not accepted