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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 110-2"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Tara Keenan
EMAIL: tkeenan@john cabot.edu
HOURS: MW 8:30AM 9:45AM
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:
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

                         - Utilize MLA style for all aspects of a research paper

                         - Understand how to avoid plagiarism

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Rules for Writers, 7th editionDiana HackerBedford/St. Martin's PressISBN-10: 1457683040 ISBN-13: 978-145683046     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Quiz/Worksheets/Moodle responses 10
In class essays (handwritten in class) 30
Research Brainstorm 10
Annotated Bibliography 15
Preliminary Outline Required
Rough Draft Required
Final Research Paper 20
Final Presentation 5
Note well: Late assignments will lose five points for each day late  
In class presentation of homework 10

-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. (90-92 = A-; 93-100 = A)
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 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+)
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. (70-72 = C-; 73-76 = C; 77-79 = C+)
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. (60-62 = D-; 63-66 = D; 67-69 = D+)
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. (<60) Note well: Each assignment handed in late will be subject to a loss of five points for each day it is late.

-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

Policy note: Please note that all late assignments will lose points for each day it is late. Please also note the absence policy.

Week 1: 29 August-2 September

Class 1 –

-          Course introduction, grading scale for JCU, syllabus

-          late assignments, absences, unprepared,

-          Electronics in class - what the research says; what the student government has asked

-          Moodle/TurnitinUk

-          response vs. summary worksheet

            Homework: Listen to 99% Invisible podcast. Go to http://99percentinvisible.org/ On this website click on "Episodes" and then scroll to "categories" on the lower right section of the page. Select both "objects" and "visuals" and select three podcasts from that filtered list. Respond to each of the three on Moodle. Print out your response and bring it to class. Students without this printout will be considered unprepared and counted as absent.

Class 2 -

- How homework is checked

-   Professional register

- 99% Invisible: Visuals, Objects 

- What is design? http://defining-design.net/

            Homework: Watch Tim Brown, "Designers - Think Big" TED 2009. https://www.ted.com/talks/tim_brown_urges_designers_to_think_big Respond on Moodle. Print out your response and bring it to class. Students without this printout will be considered unprepared and counted as absent.

 Week 2: 5 Sept-9 Sept

Class 1 -

Brown - "Designers - Think Big"

How to read critically

Burckhardt, Lucius. “Design is Invisible” 1980.

Read and annotate article.

 

           Homework: Study for quiz on Course Policy and finish annotation

 Class 2 -

-   Quiz on course policy

-   Burckhardt article

            Homework: Listen to Radiolab, "The Bus Stop" and read and annotate Josh Planos, "The Dutch Village Where Everyone Has Dementia" The Atlantic, 14 Nov. 2014. Respond to each on Moodle forum. Bring print out of both of your responses and annotations to class. Students without this printout will be considered unprepared and counted as absent.

Week 3: 12 Sept-16 Sept

 Class 1 -

-   Discuss annotation of article and responses

-   Discuss overlapping issues of sources

            Homework: Prepare for in-class essay on Defining Design. You will be asked to answer a question that requires you to pull together sources (Burkhardt, Tim Brown on TED, 99% Invisible, Defining Design website). Remember that according to John Cabot’s grading scale, an essay that earns a “B” demonstrates reading beyond what is required in class. An “A” does this while also demonstrating novelty and originality. If you decide to go for the A or B, have you done reading beyond what was assigned?

Class 2 -

In-class essay #1 “Defining Design”.

         Homework: 99% Invisible podcast. Go to http://99percentinvisible.org/ On this website click on "Episodes" and then scroll to "categories" on the lower right section of the page. Select both "architecture" and "cities" and select three podcasts from that filtered list. Respond to each of the three on Moodle. Print out all of your responses and bring them to class. Students without this printout will be considered unprepared and counted as absent.

Week 4 - 19 Sept-23 Sept

Class 1 -

- Library session on sourcing and research

              Homework: TBA

 

 Class 2 -

- Plagiarism and academic honesty

- James Howard Kunstler, "The Ghastly Tragedy of the Suburbs" (TED, 2004). http://www.ted.com/talks/james_howard_kunstler_dissects_suburbia

             Homework: Study for plagiarism quiz and read and annotate Douglas Rushkoff, "The Ownership Society" Life, Inc. (2009).  Bring Printout of your response and annotations to class. Students without this will be considered unprepared and counted as absent.

 

Week 5: 26 Sept-30 Sept

 Class 1 -

- Academic honesty quiz

- Rushkoff discussion

 

            Homework: Snap two pictures of where you live (your home, your building, or your neighborhood). One picture should be an element of design that works well. Another picture should be a design element that does not work well. Post them to Moodle and write a paragraph for each on why. Print out and bring to class. Students without this printout will be considered unprepared and counted as absent.

 Class 2

- Discuss overlapping issues of design and where we live. 

 

            Homework: Prepare for second in-class essay on design and how we live. You will be asked to answer a question that requires you to pull together sources (Kunstler, Rushkoff, 99% Invisible, your photographs). Remember that according to John Cabot’s grading scale, an essay that earns a “B” demonstrates reading beyond what is required in class. An “A” does this while also demonstrating novelty and originality. If you decide to go for the A or B, have you done reading beyond what was assigned?

 Week 6:  3 Oct-7 Oct

Class 1 -

Second in-class essay. Subject: Design and how we live. 

          Homework: You will be assigned a TED talk from the playlist "The Importance of Play". Watch your assigned talk and another talk. Take notes and respond to both on Moodle. Bring the printout of the response to class. If you miss class and for some reason do not have an assigned talk, what should you do?

                       A) Walk into class empty handed and when you are called on say something like, "Of course I don't have it. I wasn't here at the last class" or try the classic, "I was confused." 

                     B) Select two talks from the list and walk in prepared to present both with your responses printed out.

                     C) Send your professor an email that says, "Yo, prof I didn't no what 2 do cuz I was sick yesterday!!! did i miss anything important?"

Class 2 -

Meet in Piazza San Cosimato playground.

- Discuss Talks, Location.

            Homework: Read and annotate: Tonucci and Risotto, "Why do we need Children's Participation: The importance of children's participation in changing a city", Journal of Community and Applied Psychology (11: 2001). You can access this article through JCU's discovery tool. Bring the annotated article in with you to class. Students without this will be considered unprepared and counted as absent.


Week 7: 10 Oct-14 Oct
Class 1 -

- Discuss "Children's participation" article

- Introduce research project

- Design Research Brainstorm

 

Homework: Write two paragraphs of your design research brainstorm and post to Moodle. Listen to Transom podcast "Of Kith and Kids" and respond on Moodle. http://transom.org/2013/of-kith-and-kin/ . Bring the response printout to class as well as the brainstorm printout.

 Class 2 -

Library Session 2 - Research and sourcing

 

        Homework: Prepare for third in-class essay  - Design for children. You will be asked to answer a question that requires you to pull together sources (Tonucci and Risotto, TED “The Importance of Play” talks, “Of Kith and Kids” podcast, your observations on Piazza San Cosimato). Remember that according to John Cabot’s grading scale, an essay that earns a “B” demonstrates reading beyond what is required in class. An “A” does this while also demonstrating novelty and originality. If you decide to go for the A or B, have you done reading beyond what was assigned?

Week 8: 17 Oct-21 Oct
Class 1

Essay 3 - Design for children

 

            Homework: meet with librarians and work on the library worksheet. Due in class October 26. Write and rehearse a one-minute pitch of your research proposal. Be sure and establish a design problem and think about what sources that might be able to help you find a solution.

Resources:

- How to write a 2-minute pitch worksheet

- Video resources:

            My video on this assignment: https://youtu.be/ht9tb4TD3U

            Pitching a story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vut4gPPzEac

            Ways to frame your pitch by Dan Pink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvxtC60V6kc

 Class 2

Proposals pitches and student pitching review worksheets.

 

Homework:

           -  Meet with the librarians and compile your research worksheet Due October 26.

            -  Be ready to present how to write an annotated bibliography.

Resources:

            - Owl on Annotated Bibliographies https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/614/01/

             - Video on Source Evaluation and Source Evaluation Matrix

                                  Part I: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rsNakv8PNY

                                   Part II: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxkhja-bxDg

             - Source Evaluation Matrix http://lgdata.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/docs/400/1006597/Source_Evaluation_Matrix.pdf

             (Use this matrix for each of your main sources to help you evaluate them).

 
Week 9: 24 Oct-28 Oct
Class 1

Parts of the paper

How to write an annotated bibliography

 

              Homework:

                - Be sure your library worksheet is done. Due next class, 26 October.

                - Work on your Annotated Bibliography Due November 2.

                - Be ready to present on How to Write a Thesis

Resources:

            Rules for Writers

             My video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jim1bNhzTz0

Class 2

Library worksheet due
How to write a thesis discussion

            Homework: Be ready to discuss how to write an outline.

                        Resources:

                                    Rules for Writers

                                    Posts to Moodle

Week 10: 31 Oct-4 November
Class 1

Parts of the paper

Writing an outline

            Homework:

             - Work on outline due 9 November

              - Be ready to present how to write a Review of Literature

Resources:

                  Rules for Writers

                  Posts to Moodle           

Class 2

Annotated bibliography Due

Review of the Literature Discussion

            Homework:

                        - Finish Review of the Literature due 7 November

                        - Write your outline due 9 November                                   

Week 11: 7 Nov-11 Nov

Class 1

Review of literature due

Parts of the paper

            Homework: Finish outline due 9 November

Class 2

Outline due           

           Homework:

                 - Work on Draft due 16 November

                 - Be ready to present on In-Text Citation According to MLA style.

                            Resources:

                          - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTaUHS1mnvw

                          - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfJg4jAoQDg ;

                         - Rules for Writers

Week 12: 14 Nov-18 Nov
Class 1

Parts of the paper

In text citation presentation/discussion.

Homework: Finish draft of paper due 16 November (next class)

Class 2

Hand in draft

                Homework: Be ready to present on the topic How to Write a Works Cited Page.

                       Resources:
                              - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vo8_Jw71J
                              -  Rules for Writers

Week 13: 21 Nov-25 Nov
Class 1

-          Works cited presentation/discussion

-          Conferences
              Homework: Be ready to present on how to write a conclusion.
                        Resources:
                        - Rules for Writers

                        - Posts to Moodle

Class 2
Conclusions
Conferences

Week 14 28 Nov-1 Dec
Hand in Final Paper

Final exam - 3 Dec-9 Dec