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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EN 110-9"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Andrew Rutt
EMAIL: arutt@john cabot.edu
HOURS:
TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 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
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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.
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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.
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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
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Writing Research Papers | Lester and Lester | Pearson | ISBN-10: 0-321-45798-6 ISBN-13: 978-0-321-45798-1 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| 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.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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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.
| SCHEDULE |
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Lesson
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Topic
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Activity
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Homework
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1
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Introduction
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Course requirements. (syllabus, books)
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TBA
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2
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Identifying a topic, organisation and goal setting - writing research papers (WRP) chap 2, 3)
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Sample reading activities
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At home response to reading
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3
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Evaluating sources WRP 8
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Worksheet activities
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Write a 500 word proposal Submit reviewed proposal
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4
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Gathering Sources outside the library - WRP 4
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Peer review of proposal
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Revision of Proposal
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5
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Gathering Sources inside the library
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Library Visit
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6
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Writing Effective Notes and Creating Outlines
WRP Ch. 9
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In-class response to reading 1
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Reading activity
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7
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Conducting Resarch MLA Handbook 1.4
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Annotated Bibliography
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8
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Looking at Paradigms WRP
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Worksheet activities
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9
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The outline WRP 9
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Write a basic outline
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Write a formal detailed outline
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10
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Effective notetaking WRP 9
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Revision of formal outline
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11
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Academic Writing WRP 10
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12
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Blending MLA style WRP 11+14
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Study for MLA style Test
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13
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Understanding and avoiding plagiarism WRP 7
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MLA style test
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14
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The writing process WRP 12
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Worksheet activities
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15
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The writing process WRP 12
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Worksheet activities
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16
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TBA
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Write Draft - 2000 words
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17
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Editing and revisions
WRP 13
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Revision of Draft
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Write final paper
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18
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Editing and revisions
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19
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Editing and revisions
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20
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Wrap up
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Final Class - Collect final papers - late papers are not accepted
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