Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 105-2"
COURSE NAME: "English Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2016

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Jonathan Jones
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 8:30 AM 9:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement via JCU English Composition Placement Exam
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course concentrates on the development of effective paragraph writing in essays while introducing students to the various rhetorical modes. Elements covered include outlining, the introduction-body-conclusion structure, thesis statements, topic sentences, supporting arguments, and transition signals. Students will also become familiar with the fundamentals of MLA style, research and sourcing, as well as information literacy. To develop these skills, students will write in- and out-of-class essays. Critical reading is also integral to the course, and students will analyze peer writing as well as good expository models. Students must receive a grade of C or above in this course to be eligible to take EN 110. Individual students in EN 105 may be required to complete additional hours in the English Writing Center as part of their course requirements.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course is built around planning, creating and revising a number of assignments both in and out of class, which move beyond basic description or subjective opinion and demonstrate an awareness of critical and logical thinking. By reading a variety of different essays to stimulate in class discussion combined with writing practice in a practical workshop-orientated atmosphere, students will hone and challenge their own capabilities and assumptions regarding their abilities as writers.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of the course students will have improved and refined their writing through actively engaging in peer review and applying a heightened awareness of critical reading skills both in and out of class. They will have expanded their understanding of different rhetorical techniques employing a broader range of language, varied sentence structure and self reflexive skills to produce essays which have a clear focus as to who their reader is and which reflect the ability to vigorously analyze and assess their own work to a high standard.

Students who successfully complete EN105 (with a grade of C or higher) should be able to

Grammar

* Write grammatically and idiomatically correct English prose with more sophistication

Reading

* Read to comprehend complex material

* Read and think critically

Vocabulary

* Expand vocabulary through 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 detailed outlines

* Understand the introduction-body-conclusion structure

* Write a strong thesis statement

* Construct topic sentences and supporting arguments

* Utilize transition signals to form an essay that flows

* Think, read, and write critically for an academic audience

Research and sourcing

· Be familiar with research skills including

· Understanding databases, web-based sourcing, and source evaluation

· * Utilize MLA format to cite sources

· * Understand how to avoid plagiarism

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
At Home Essays		30%
In Class Essays		30%
Homework /Quizzes/Class Particpation		20%
Final Exam		20%

-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 cours
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:

· If you are unable to attend a class session, you should make arrangements with one or more of your classmates to catch up on anything you missed. While illness and emergencies are often unavoidable and understandable,this does not affect how the absence policy will be applied.

· You are allowed 3 absences during the semester. Any absences after this will have a detrimental effect on your final grade. Any student with more than 3 absences at mid-term will receive a mid-term warning. After 5 absences you will receive another warning informing you that your chances of passing the course are now at risk. Seven absences and you fail the course.

Keep in mind that it will be difficult for you to make up missed peer reviews, small group discussions, and spoken lectures and instructions. Even if you are not able to attend, you are still responsible for making sure any assignments due that day are in my hands by the start of class.

Laptops and Cellphones are not permitted in class unless specifically required for the purposes of an in-class writing assignments.

Disruptive behavior that results in dismissal from the class at any time during class will be counted as one absence. This includes entering and leaving the class once the lesson has begun, doing work for this class during discussions or doing work for other classes during this class, inappropriate use of the computers (checking on your e-mail while in class, surfing the ‘net, etc), talking to others while someone else is talking, etc.

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

ASSESSMENT

Pop Quizzes

3 At Home Essays
1 - SET 31st AUGUST - WORKSHOP 5th SEPT - DUE - 14th SEPT
2 - SET 10th OCT - WORKSHOP 17th OCT - DUE - 24th OCT
3 - SET 7th NOV - WORKSHOP 23rd NOV - DUE - 28th NOV

3 In Class Timed Essays
1 - SET 19th SEPT - WORKSHOP 26th SEPT - DUE 3rd OCT
2 - SET 24th OCT - WORKSHOP 26th OCT - DUE 31st OCT
3 - SET 14th NOV -WORKSHOP 16TH NOV - DUE 21st NOV

Final Exam - TBA

Schedule

Course Outline (NB: This outline is subject to change)

Week 1

Date

Topic

Activity

Homework

Mon 29th AUG
Wed 31st AUG

Introduction to Course

Discuss Syllabus

Read 'Two Ways to Belong in America'

Cause and Effect Rhetorical Modes

Pop Quiz – Rules of Course
Annotate 'Two Ways to Belong in America'
Set At Home Essay 1 (500-700 words)

Read Chpt 1 - The Elements of Style

Week 2

Date

Topic

Activity

Homework

MON 5th SEPT
WED 7th SEPT

'Two Ways to Belong in America'

Workshop At Home Essay 1

Chpt 2 - The Elements of Style

Cause and Effect Rhetorical Modes

Pop Quiz – The Elements of Style – Chpt 1

Writing the Introduction - PPT

Thesis Statements - How to write and identify them.

Read and Annotate - 'Why We Are Post-Fact'

Week 3

Date	Topic	Activity	Homework
MON 12th SEPT WED 14th SEPT	*Library Session 1*	TBA	Chpt 3 - The Elements of Style Read and Annotate 'What is it like to be a bat'
	'What is it like to be a bat?' Compare and Contrast Rhetorical Modes	At Home Essay Due Read in class 'Living Like Weasels' Pop Quiz - Chpt 3 The Elements of Style Plagiarism - PPT	Reread and Annotate 'Living Like Weasels'

Week 4

Date	Topic	Activity	Homework
MON 19th SEPT WED 21st SEPT	'What is it like to be a bat/Living Like Wiesels' Argumentative/Persuasive Rhetorical Mode	In ClassEssay 1(500 -700)	Read and Annotate 'Living Like Wiesel'
	Living Like Wiesel Compare and Contrast Rhetorical Modes	Sentence Structure - PPT Writing Academic English - Exercises Schindler's List (1993) - Film	Read Chpt 4 - The Elements of Style

Week 5

Date

Topic

Activity

Homework

MON 26th SEPT
WED 28th SEPT

Fallacies

Pop Quiz - Chpt 4 The Elements of Style

Workshop In Class Essay 1

Read E Wiesel 'Why I Write'

'Why I Write' - E Wiesel

PPT Concluding the Essay
Schindler's List (1993) - Film

Read Chpt 5 – The Elements of Style

Week 6

Date

Topic

Activity

Homework

MON 3rd OCT
WED 5th OCT

Argumentative Essays Rhetorical Modes

In Class Essay 1 Due
Pop Quiz – The Elements of Style – Chpt 5

PPT - Writing Argument - Logos, Ethos, Pathos.
Schinder's List (1993) Film

Read and Annotate Bruno Bettleheim 'The Holocaust'

MLA Format

Library Session 2

Read and Annotate Bruno Bettleheim 'The Holocaust'

Week 7

Date

Topic

Activity

Homework

MON 10th OCT
WED 12th OCT

B Bettleheim 'The Holocaust'

Set At Home Essay 2 (700 - 1,000 words)

PPT - The Logical Structure of Arguments

Schindler's List (1993) Film

Read and Annotate Primo Levi - Chpt 7 The Drowned and the Saved - Stereotypes

Promo Levi - Stereotypes

Pop Quiz - What is a Thesis?
PPT - Style and Simplicity

The Battle of the Ants -Thoreau

Week 8

Date	Topic	Activity	Homework
MON 17th OCT WED 19th OCT	The Battle of the Ants - Thoreau	Workshop At Home Essay 2 PPT - Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers	The Entomology of Ants - Kirby and Spence
	The Entomology of Ants - Kirby and Spence	PPT - Ethos, Pathos, Kairos	The Dark Art of Description - Hampl

Week 9

Date	Topic	Activity	Homework
MON 24th OCT WED 26th OCT	The Dark Art of Description - Hampl	Submit At Home Essay 2 Effective Sentences - PPT	Random Reflections of a Second Rate Mind - W Allen
	Random Reflections of a Second Rate Mind - W Allen	Workshop In Class Essay 2	Revise MLA Style

Week 10

Date	Topic	Activity	Homework
MON 31st OCT WED 2nd NOV	Argumentative Essays - Rhetorical Modes	Submit In-Class Essay 2 MLA Pop Quiz	A Victim - B Bettelheim
	A Victim - B Bettelheim	Revise Thesis - Rhetorical Triangle - Clarity of Meaning.	Read and Annotate Who Are All These Trump Supporters?

Week 11

Date	Topic	Activity	Homework
MON 7th NOV WED 9th NOV	Argumentative Essays - Rhetorical Modes	Set At Home Essay 3	Read and Annotate Who Are All These Trump Supporters?
	Who Are All These Trump Supporters?	TBA	Read and Annotate Inaugural Address - JFK (1960)

Week 12

Date	Topic	Activity	Homework
MON 14th NOV WED 16th NOV	So let us begin anew	In Class Essay 3	TBA
	Argumentative Essays - Rhetorical Modes	Workshop In Class Essay 3	TBA

Week 13

Date	Topic	Activity	Homework
MON 21st NOV WED 23rd NOV	So let us begin anew	Submit In Class Essay 3	TBA
	Argumentative Essays - Rhetorical Modes	Workshop At Home Essay 3	TBA

Week 14

Date	Topic	Activity	Homework
MON 28th NOV WED 30th NOV	Review of EN 105	Submit At Home Essay 3	TBA
	Preparation for Final Exam	TBA	TBA

Policies on late work :

· Assignments are due at the time and day they are due, this means the beginning of class. Papers are considered late as soon as I begin lecturing. Please take care to note the deadlines announced in class and in this syllabus.

· One late assignment per student (Annotations) will be accepted without penalty. This does not apply to major paper assignments. Major papers will be penalized 10 points (a full letter grade) for every day they are late up to 30 points. Major papers turned in more than three days late will receive a grade of zero.