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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-10"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Lewis Samuel Klausner
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
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. Students will be required to submit assignments through TurnitinUK.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will learn to write a well-organized and error-free argumentative research paper. By the end of the course students will be able to:

Grammar
            Write sophisticated as well as grammatically and idiomatically correct English prose

Reading
             Read to comprehend increasingly complex material
             Read and think critically

Vocabulary
              Expand vocabulary through reading and writing
              Develop subject specific terminology through reading and writing

Rhetoric
             Write well-organized essays, focusing specifically on argumentative essays
             Write a strong and developed thesis statement with supporting arguments
             Think, read, write critically for an academic audience
              Write a developed outline
              Paraphrase and summarize
             Cite and write using documentation
             Write a fully documented research paper

Research and sourcing (can be covered by a librarian in one or more workshops in the library)
                Be familiar with research and information literacy skills including                      
                        - A reinforcement of searching skills: catalog, database, and web sourcing
                         - Source evaluation
                         - Subject searching
                         - Use MLA style for all aspects of a research paper
                         - Understand how to avoid plagiarism
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Writing Research PapersLester and LesterPearsonISBN-10: 0-321-45798-6 ISBN-13: 978-0-321-45798-1     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
In class essays 20
In class summaries 15
Quizzes 10
Research proposal 10
Annotated bibliography 15
Preliminary outline Required
Rough draft Required
Final Research Paper 25
Final Presentation 5

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork 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.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis 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.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are required to attend all scheduled class meetings. Students are allowed 4 absences during the term (excused or unexcused). Each additional absence beyond the four allowed 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. Please note that there is homework in nearly every class so if you are absent it is your responsibility to call a classmate for the assignment.
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
Note: This schedule is subject to change based on the progress of the class. Students will be informed in class regarding changes. Each student who is absent must contact classmates regarding assignments due and scheduling.

 

Session

Session Focus

Reading Assignment

Other Assignment

Meeting Place/Exam Dates

Mon wk 1

Introduction to the course and requirements; goals and expectations; sample writing

Reading images and writing descriptions (photos and political cartoons).

In-class writing sample (collected but not returned or graded)

Wed week 1

Entering the Conversation

They Say/I Say 1-15; 195-197 (“Don’t Blame the Eater)

 

Do either exercise 1 or 2 on pages 14-15.  .

Mon week 2

The Art of Summary

TS/IS 19-41;

 Summary of Don’t Blame the Eater

Wed week 2

The Art of Quoting

TS/IS 42-51; Handout: “Falser Words Were Never Spoken”

 Summary of “Falser Words”

Mon week 3

Three Ways to Respond: Yes/No/Ok, but…

TS/IS 55-67; Handout: “Saudis in Bikinis”

Summary of Saudis in Bikinis

 

Wed week 3

Connecting the Parts

 TS/IS 105-120

Response to Saudis in Bikinis

Mon week 4

In-class Essay 1: Graded

Response to Saudis in Bikinis

TS/IS 68-77

Wed week 4

Planting a Naysayer in Your Text

 TS/IS 78-91 ; Handout: “Amnesty: Let Us Be Vigilant and Charitable”

Mon week 5

Saying Why It Matters

TS/IS 92-101.  Handout: Why Blame Mexico?

Response to Kavanaugh and Reed

Wed week 5

Connecting The Parts

TS/IS 105-120; Handout: Should The United States Grant Legal Status to Undocumented Immigrant Workers?

Mon week 6

In-Class Essay 2: Graded

Response to Kavanaugh and Reed

IS/TS 121-138

 

Wed week 6

Mixing High and Low Diction

Handout: Pope on a Rope Tow

Mon week 7

Definitional Arguments Feedback on in-class essay 2;

Handout: pages 210-236

 

Wed week 7

Causal Arguments

Handout pages 237-263

Mon week 8

Entering a Debate: Park 51

Handout: Muslims in the Middle

Short definition Essay (2 to 3 pages)

Wed week 8

Furthering the debate

Handout: Newt Direct; Sam Harris

Mon week 9

Preparing to write a research paper

Handout

Response to Dalrymple, Gingrich, and Harris

Wed Week 9

In class essay 3: Park 51

Moscow’s Stray Dogs

Mon Week 10

Writing in the Sciences

Review of thesis statements

TS/IS 156-174

Moscow’s Stray Dogs

Thesis Statement

Wed Week 10

Writing in the Social Sciences

TS/IS 175-192

Mon week 11

In-Class Essay: Moscow’s Stray Dogs

Writing Arguments pages 237-265 also page 274

 Research paper outline and preliminary list of resources (minimum 6) due; bring yourMLA Handbook

Wed Week 11

In-class essay 4

Mon Week 12

Resemblance arguments; preparation for in-class 6

Writing Arguments pages 264-283

First draft of research paper due (including works cited page)

Wed Week 12

Your So-Called Education

Mon Week 13

Evaluation and ethical arguments; last minute questions/difficulties with research paper/ revision in class; student errors of citation format and corrections together

What Should Colleges Teach?

Summary/Response to Your So-Called Education

Wed Week 13

Research paper

Handout

 Summary/Response to What Should Colleges Teach?

Mon Week 14

Classical Argument

Handout

Research paper due

Wed Week 14

Course evaluation; another argument classic; general revision for final exam

Handout

 

Final Exam

Day & time to be established

FINAL EXAM