JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY COURSE CODE: "EN 110-6" COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition" SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012

SYLLABUS INSTRUCTOR: Robbins Lisa EMAIL: [email protected] HOURS: MW 13:30-14:45 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 arrangement after class

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Rhetoric is an open palm, dialectic, a closed fist.   - Zeno You will learn to create organised, coherent argumentative essays and documented research papers.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT: You will learn to order and best express written argument with attention to audience and to write an academic research paper. Improve strength of thesis, clarity of content and effectiveness of support. Fundamentals include: Critical reading and response: assessing an argument and making a supported claim. Topic selection, thesis development. Source evaluation. Organisation: drafts, outlines. Clear, compelling writing, vocabulary enhancement and proper use of English prose mechanics. Summarising, paraphrasing, citing and documenting. Use of library resources, academic research methods. Revision.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will learn to respond to written argument and to produce organised, well-supported research papers.

TEXTBOOK: Book Title Author Publisher ISBN number Library Call Number Comments Format Local Bookstore Online Purchase They Say/ISay (TS/IS) Graff, Gerald and Cathy Birkenstein Norton 978-0-393-93361-1           MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed. MLA MLA 978-1-60329-024-1

REQUIRED RESERVED READING: Book Title Author Publisher ISBN number Library Call Number Comments The Elements of Style (EoS) Strunk, William, Jr . and E.B. White Macmillan and Co. 10: 0-205-30902-X     Writing Research Papers, 14th ed. (WRP) Lester, Jim D., Jr. and James D. Lester Longman 978-0-205-651924     RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING: NONE

GRADING POLICY -ASSESSMENT METHODS: Assignment Guidelines Weight Home work and in-class assignments Five 20 min. in-class assignments (summary or response @ 250 wds.) preceded by home preparation. Homework assignments based on text or handouts. 50% Topic presentation Claim, debate, method, title 5% Critique group work In-class peer review 5% Bibliography Annotated. Five sources. 10% Rough Draft Three main writing blocks. 1,000+ wds.&nbsp; Mandatory, not graded Research paper Your final product. Submit hard copy and electronic version on or before due date. 2,500-2,750 wds. 25% Final exam   5% -ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: MANDATORY OR GRADED WORK In class essays: Graded in-class essays and homework assignments will reflect written response to articles on current and controversial topics. Take home the article and annotate it. Either summarise or respond in class, as assigned. Define terms, paraphrase and quote . Alternatively the essay writting may be assigned for homework. Most 20 min in-class essays will measure @ 250 words. Homework assignments will vary in length.  Topic presentation: Present  research paper topic first to the instructor and then, before the class for feedback. Include specific premise or claim, debate, plan for development, possible title, sources. Outline or writing blocks: Organization - introduction, body paragraphs with support, conclusion. Rough Draft: 1,000 wds. Mandatory but not graded. Bibliography: Includes 5+ sources, at least two diverse types. Based on MLA guidelines Research Paper: The final paper must embrace both a debatable premise and the writer’s position. 2,500 wds Writing Center support: the JCU Writing Center is available to help with composition writing for this course and others. Some students may be asked to book appointments with the Center and/or use Purdue University's OWL website writing mechanics support With the excception of in-class work, type all written homework in 12 point font, Times New Roman style or similar. Use standard 8-1/2' x 11' A4) white  paper. Double space. Indent paragraphs. Use format for submissions for all work assigned, whether it originates  in-class or at home.  Homework will not be accepted after the class period in which it is due. It must be printed, not emailed, and stapled if there is more than one page. Homework and Research Paper will be put through Turnitin Plagiarism programme. In-class: Writing should be legible, double-spaced, with indented paragraphs. Use format for submissions. In-class work cannot be made up. Grades 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. (<60) -ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: Three absences, excused or without excuse, will not affect grades. Four or five may. One cannot pass the course with more than five absences.  When a student is absent he is responsible for work covered and assigned during the lesson missed. Homework due may not be made up unless this is arranged with the professor prior to the absence.  Late work will be marked a half a grade down per day of lateness. Papers are on time if submitted on or before the start of class on the date due.  Cell phones and electronic media must be switched off and stored during class. Laptops/computers must be switched off during in-class work. No eating.  Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.

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 3 Sept, 2012, Monday Introduction. Intentions, Expectations, Setting the Stage none In class Written Response to Visual Prompts   5 Sept 2102, Wednesday Listen and Respond: Gauging the Audience. Templates. Setting the Stage TS/IS xvi-15, ex: p15 #1, Essay # 1, HO Cronin, Only Connect Rogerian argument, Essay # 1 prep   10 Sept 2012, Monday Summarising TS/IS 19-41 ex: p 41 #2 HO: Adler, How to Mark a Book. How to Summarise/ Format for Submitted Work In-class Summary: Essay #1   12 Sept 2012, Wednesday Quoting, Integrating Quotes TS/IS 42-51 WRP 108-119, EX: HO Integrating Quoted Material Peer Review Essay #1, bring two copies of your Summary   17 Sept 2012, Monday Responding TS/IS 55-67     19 Sept 2012, Wednesday Critical Reading. 'The Evil Empire' TS/IS 55-67, HO Essay #2/New, Diag Grammar Test, Rules for Writerers Take Diag. Grammar Test, find answers on My JCU message board. Submit one paragraph about what you need to work on. Read Essay #2/New, Rules for Writerers: rewrite and submit 5 sentences that you choose.   24 Sept 2012, Monday Responding, Anticipating the Response, Planting a Naysayer TS/IS 78-91 HO Reasoning Methods Essay#2 prep   26 Sept 2012 Wednesday Anticipating the Response/Planting a Naysayer TS/IS 78-91 WORKSHEET DUE for Essay #2:BRING 3 EXTRA COPIES. Peer Review for Worksheet E#2.   1 Oct 2012 Organisation: Intro, Body, Conc., Why It Matters TS/IS 92-101, 206-213. As needed: WRP 208-226.HO Sullivan's Gettysburg Coherence, Gettysburg Answ Sheet, Elements of Coherence In-class Response: Essay #2. In class work: TS/IS p 75, ex. 1. and Gettysburg Coherence   3 Oct 2012, Wednesday LIBRARY RESEARCH MEET IN FROHRING LIBRARY. Finding and evaluating sources WRP, to use as needed: 33-106, 120-135 GO DIRECTLY TO LIBRARY   8 Oct 2012, Monday Transitions Connecting the parts TS/IS 65-120, HO Values, Essay #3 Homework TS/IS p 119 #1   10 Oct 2012, Wednesday Your Voice Choice of Language Topic Choice prep TS/IS 121 -128, 228-230, WRP as needed: 10-25, 30 Peer Review: TS/IS p 119, ex 1, Essay #3 prep   15 Oct 2012 More Clarification Work Meta Commenting. Take Your Point TS/IS 129-144 In-class work: TS/IS p138 ex#2 WORKSHEET DUE for Essay #3 BRING 3 COPIES. Peer Review for Worksheet E#3.   17 Oct 2012, Wednesday Cause and Effect,Thesis Statements HO: Models for Writers, Cause and Effect Argumentation In-class Summary: Essay #3   22 Oct 2012, Monday Argument Techniques HO Argumentative essays, Essay #4     24 Oct 2012, Wednesday Science Writing, Thesis Preparation TS/IS 156-174 HO Trouble spots in Reasoning,Essay #4 Essay #4 prep   29 Oct 2012, Monday Soc Science Writing TS/IS 175-192 WORKSHEET DUE FOR Essay #4. BRING 3 EXTRA COPIES. Peer Review for Worksheet E#4. Schedule appointment to discuss Research Paper topic choice and possible thesis statement   31 Oct 2012, Wednesday Outline/Organisation/Preparation WRP as needed:33-37, 157-165 HO: Research Paper, Essay #5 In-class Response: Essay #4. Buy MLA Handbook (see syllabus) at Almost Corner Bookstore   5 Nov 2012, Monday LIBRARY WORK. MEET IN FROHRING LIBRARY. Bibliography bring MLA Handbook GO DIRECTLY TO LIBRARY   7 Nov 2012, Wednesday Bibliography and Review of Response Methods HO: Bibliography Unscramble, Essay #5 Bring MLA Handbook. In-class work: Bibliog Unscramble. RESEARCH PAPER TOPIC AND THESIS STATEMENT DUE   12 Nov 2012, Monday OUTLINE OR BLOCKING DUE Structure and Organisation Essay #5 prep   14 Nov 2012, Wednesday Critical reading TS/IS 145-155 In-class Response: Essay #5. In-class work: The Declaration of Independence   19 Nov 2012, Monday Rough Draft WRP as needed:227-229 ROUGH DRAFT DUE   21 Nov 2012, Wednesday Prelim Bibliography   PRELIM BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE. Peer Review Bibliography   26 Nov 2012, Monday Revision HO:Revision - Writing Mechanics Peer Review. Overview/Bird's eye   28 Nov 2012, Wednesday Revision Formatting to MLA Style WRP as needed: 229-235. HO for possible Essay #6 Peer Review. Line by Line/Bird's Foot   3 Dec 2012, Monday Research Paper. Possible Essay 6 prep   RESEARCH PAPER DUE. Possible Essay # 6 prep   5 Dec 2012, Wednesday TBD   Possible In-class Response Essay #6   10 Dec 2012, Monday Final Exam, part two   Peer Review of presentations   12 Dec 2012, Wednesday