Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 103-5"
COURSE NAME: "Intensive English Composition (This course carries 6 semester hours of credit)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Casling Anthony
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MTWTH 15:00-16:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 6
PREREQUISITES: This course carries 6 semester hours of credit. Prerequisite: Placement via JCU English Composition Placement Exam
OFFICE HOURS: tba

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course aims to improve students's understanding of what constitutes good writing. A variety of strategies for producing clear and convincing prose are introduced.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The intensive course has two components. One concentrates on developing the ability to write grammatically and idiomatically correct English prose, and includes an in-depth grammatical review and examination of academic register. The other focuses on the elements of academic writing, from sentence structure through effective paragraph writing in essays, and introduces students to the various rhetorical modes.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Grammar: Write grammatically correct English prose.

Reading: Improve critical reading skills.
Improve ability to comprehend increasingly complex material.

Vocabulary: Increase vocabulary by reading and writing.
Develop subject specific terminology through reading and writing.

Rhetoric: Write effective paragraphs and essays.
Summarize.
Understand how to recognize and utilize rhetorical modes.
Construct detailes outlines.
Understand the introduction-body.conclusion structure.
Write a strong thesis statement.
Construct topic sentences and supporting arguments.
Utilize transition signals.
Understand and use the essential features of academic writing.

Research: Develop research skills.
Use databases and web-based research.
Use MLA format for citations.
Understand the essential techniques for avoiding plagiarism

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Writing Academic English, 4th Edition	Alice Oshima, Ann hogue	Pearson Longman	978-0-2-13-152359-3
My Comp Lab	Pearson	Pearson	www.mycomplab.com

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
In-class essays		25%
At-home essays		25%
Mycomplab		20%
Homework and quizes		10%
Final Exam		20%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

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)

Zero: Portions of this work have been found to be academically dishonest.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings; four absences are allowed each term. Each additional absence beyond the four allowed, with the exception of absences excused by the Dean's office, will result in a reduction of the final grade 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	Materials	Homework
M 3 Sept	Introduction	Introduction to MyComp Lab Course description
T 4	Overview of Essay Structure	Article: "Stress and Stress Management" (Destinations 86-87)
W 5	The Paragraph structure
Th 6	Topic Sentences
M 10	Paragraph Unity
T 11	Paragraph Cohesion
W 12	Supporting a topic sentence
Th 13	Paragraph Quiz		First Home Essay
M 17	The writing process, drafts, rewriting.
T 18	From Paragraph to Essay-	“North American Influences on Modern U.S. Culture" WAE 58-59.	Home Essay Due
W 19	Introductions
Th 20	Thesis statements
F (make-up day for 1 Nov)	Support and research
M 24	Quotation and paraphrasing
T 25	First In-class Essay
W 26	Process Essays
Th 27	Transition signals		Second Home Essay
M 1 Oct	Overview, genre and rhetorical modes	Pages 11-14 "the Short Prose Reader"
T 2	Cause/effect essays		Essay Due
W 3	Block and Chain organisation in cause/effect essays	'Why we Crave Horror Movies,' Stephen King. Short prose Reader P386
Th 4	More on Paraphrasing
M 8	Comparison Essays
T 9	Second in-class essay
W 10	More Paraphrasing
Th 11	Summary writing
F 12 (make-up day for 22 Nov)	Parrallelism
M 15	Comparison Essays	'The Changing Music Industry,' from Destinations P191
T 16	Punctuation (1)
W 17	Elements of academic Style (1)
Tu 18	Sentence structure, adjective clause
	Mid term warnings issued
M 22	Argumentative essays
T 23	Argument
W 24	Elements of Academic Style (2)
Th 25	Sentence structure and sentence length.		Third home essay
M 29	Proofreading
T 30	Punctuation (2)		Essay Due
W 31	Third In-class essay
Th 1 Nov	No class		Fourth Home Essay
M 5	Reading and research
T 6	MLA		Essay Due
W 7	Elements of Academic Style (3)
Th 8	Library Visit
M 12	Topic for discussion and writing: Media and Censorship
T 13	Topic for discussion and writing: Media and Censorship
W 14	Fourth In-class Essay
Th 15	Elements of Academic style (4)
M 19	Topic for discussion and writing: Boxing and Other Dangerous Sports
T 20	Topic for discussion and writing: Boxing and Other Dangerous Sports
W 21	Topic for discussion and writing: Prejudice and discrimination
Tu 22	No Class. Thanksgiving holiday
M 26	Topic for discussion and writing: Prejudice and Discrimination
T 27	Error correction
W 28	Complex sentences
Th 29	Common Errors Review
M 3 Dec	Exam preparation
T 4	Exam preparation
W 5	Exam preparation
F 6	Exam preparation

TBA	Final Exam