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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-2"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Christin Campbell
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 1:30PM-2:45PM
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:
This course reinforces the skills needed to write well-organized essays, focusing specifically on argumentative essays. Elements covered include thesis development, critical reading, organizing and outlining, paraphrasing and summarizing, and citation and documentation standards. Techniques of academic research and the use of the library and other research facilities are discussed. In addition to regular in- and out-of-class reading and writing assignments, students are required to write a fully documented research paper. Students must receive a grade of C or above in this course to fulfill the University’s English Composition requirement and to be eligible to take courses in English literature. Individual students in EN 110 may be required to complete additional hours in the English Writing Center as part of their course requirements.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course explores a range of  fundamental writing strategies and key rhetorical moves to strengthen the skills needed to write a well-organized essay and argumentative research paper. The course is organized as a writing laboratory where students can workshop their writing in a structured environment. It begins with formal and informal register and letter writing; the critical reading of sources, summarizing, paraphrasing, accurate quoting, outlining, paragraphing; it continues with the writing of a topic proposal, the selection of primary and secondary sources, literature review, and thesis development. Paper formatting according to the MLA standard, research and the use of library resources will also be covered. In addition to regular in and out-of-class reading and writing assignments, students are required to write a fully-documented research paper.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will be able to write a well-organized, evidence-supported and error-free argumentative research paper.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
They Say/ I Say: the moves that matter in academic writing/with readings. 2nd edition.Graff, Gerald, Cathy Birkenstein and Russel Durst W.W. Norton & Company, Inc..ISBN: 978-0-393-91275-3AWC PE 1431.G73    
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Life Inc.: How the World Became a CorporationRushkoff, DouglasLondon: Vintage Books978-0-099-51669-9Bj1581.2R865*Read only Chapter 3. P. 72-83 "The New Old Urbanism"
Writing Research Papers: A Complete Guide 15th EditionJim D. Lester and James D. LesterLongmanISBN-10: 1-292-07689-5  

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 c
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:

Since the course is based on a series of in-class writing workshops and activities, regular attendance and class contribution are essential. As such, students are required to attend all class meetings. Students are allowed 3, no-questions-asked absences per semester for both the expected (i.e., being the best man in your brother’s wedding) and the unexpected (i.e., a flat tire). Each additional absence beyond the 3 allowed, with the exception of absences excused by the Dean's Office, will result in the reduction of the final grade for the course of 5%. Students who arrive to class after attendance have been taken will be counted as late. Two late arrivals will count as one absence.  Please note that there is homework in nearly every class so if you are absent, you are still responsible for whatever material was covered in class. If a major scheduled grading event (assignment due, in-class workshop/peer review, presentation) is scheduled for that class period, and you don’t show up and don’t have a university-sanctioned excuse (see below) then you will lose the points for that activity. Please refer to the JCU Academic Policies link on the website for the University's Absence Policy.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until 11 December, 2015.
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

Schedule

Week 1:  Monday 31 August and Wednesday 2 September                   

Introduction to Course
Syllabus and Requirements-Goals and Expectations
Email Etiquette
Formal and Informal Register: Letter Writing
Grammar review, Run-ons, fragments
HW/Reading: Graff et. al. Introduction and Ch. 2 “Her Point is: the Art of Summarizing;” WRP Ch. 8 "Reading and Evaluating Sources" p.120-135 8e

Week 2: Monday 7 September and Wednesday 9 September                   

Quiz on course policy
The Characteristics of Summary
Critical Reading, Source Criticism, Evaluating Sources
Annotating
Paraphrasing and Plagiarism
HW/Reading: Annotate Article “Moscow’s Stray Dogs” by Susanne Sternhal; WRP: "Avoiding Plagiarism" p.110 7d-116 7f

Week 3: Monday 14 September and Wednesday 16 September                   

In class summary #1
Workshop In class summary #1
HW/Reading: Critically Read and Annotate “On Dumpster Diving” by Lars Eighner  (in prep. for in-class summary#1);  Read Graff  et al.Ch. 1 “They Say: Writing as Response. Entering the Conversation and the Argument;” Graff et al. Ch. 4 “Three Ways to Respond”  

Week 4: Monday 21 September and Wednesday 23 September                   

Quiz on plagiarism
Entering the Conversation and the Argument
Ways of Responding: Agreeing and Disagreeing Simultaneously
The Art of Quoting
HW/Reading: WRP Ch. 5 "Gathering Sources in the Library” p. 73-94 5i ; WRP Ch. 2 "Finding and Narrowing a Topic, Drafting;” pp. 10-20; and Graff et al. Ch. 3 “As he himself puts it: the Art of Quoting”

Heirloom project: Think about a family heirloom and be prepared to write a short essay about it.

Week 5: Monday 28 September and Wednesday 30, September

In class essay #1
Library session #1 *Class meets in Library on Wednesday 30, September
HW/Reading:  Annotate and prep article “Hiding in Plain Sight” by Heather Rogers for in-class summary­#2    

Week 6: Monday 5 and Wednesday 7 October

Workshop In class essay #1
In class summary #2
HW/Reading: WRP Ch. 3 pp. 31-39 “Organizing Ideas and Setting Goals”

Week 7: Monday 12 and Wednesday 14 October

Library session #2 *Class meets in Library on Monday 12, October
Workshop In class summary #2
Introduce final research paper topics
HW/Reading: Prepare articles and watch video for in-class essay #2.

Week 8: Monday 19 and Wednesday 21 October

In class essay #2
Workshop in class essay #2
Make appointment with librarian - library worksheet
HW/Reading: WRP Ch. 9 “Writing Effective Notes and Creating Outlines” pp. 148 9b-154 9e; 

Library worksheets due beginning of next week. 

Topic/research Proposal due end of next week

Week 9: Monday 26 and Wednesday 29 October

Library worksheets due

Note-taking and preliminary Outline Creation
Primary vs. Secondary Sourcesù
Formatting Basics-Page Layout and Paragraphing-MLA
Parenthetical Citation-Works Cited

Research Paper Proposals due
HW/Reading: WRP pp. 135 8f-137 “Preparing an Annotated Bibliography”; WRP: Ch. 11 “MLA Style” pp. 183-200; WRP Ch. 12 “Writing the Introduction, Body and Conclusion" pp. 208-225; and Cf. WRP Ch. 14 “Works Cited” pp. 274-306; 

 Week 10: Monday 2 and Wednesday, 4 November

Quiz on MLA
Bibliography and Annotated bibliography
How to Write: Introduction, Body and Conclusion

The Thesis Statement
HW/Reading : Graff Ch. 6 “Planting a naysayer in your text;” Ch. 8 “As a result: connecting the parts;” Ch. 9 “Ain t so, Is not” and Ch. 10 “But Don’t Get Me Wrong: the Art of Meta-commentary.”

Annotated bibliography due beginning of next week.

Week 11: Monday 9 and Wednesday, 11 November

Annotated bibliography due
Transitions: Connecting the Parts
Planting  a Naysayer: Addressing your critics
Academic Writing and Your Own Voice

The Art of Meta-commentary
HW/Reading: WRP: Ch. 10 pp. 166-182 10f “Drafting the Paper in an Academic Style.”
Preliminary outline due next week.

 Week 12: Monday 16 and Wednesday, 18 November

Preliminary outline due
Saying Why It Matters
Distinguishing your own voice
HW/Reading: Graff et al. Ch. 7 “So What, Who Cares: Saying Why it Matters” and  Ch. 5 “Distinguishing what you say from what they say.”
Rough draft due end of next week.

Week 13: Monday 23 and Wednesday, 25 November

Rough draft due (Workshop)
HW/Reading: Finish final papers

Week 14: Monday 30 Nov and Wednesday 2 December (LAST CLASS)

Final papers due and Presentations.