JCU Logo
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 105-3"
COURSE NAME: "English Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Tara Keenan
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 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:
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 Writing Center as part of their course requirements.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

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 (can be covered by a librarian in one or more workshops in the library)

  • 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:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Writing Academic English, 4th editionAlice Oshima and Ann HoguePearson LongmanISBN-10: 0131523597     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
MywritinglabPearsonPearson  Go to this website and follow the instructions to buy online access to this material http://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/global/mywritinglab/ See my handout from class for instructions on how to register and pay. You will need - The access code: keenan02212 - A credit card or paypal account (if you do not have one, find a friend who does have one)

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Homework/Moodle posts/quizzes 10
My writing lab 10
In class presentation of homework 10
At home essays 20
In class essays and writing 30
Final exam 20

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work 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)
B This 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.(80-82 = B-; 83-86 = B; 87-89 = B+)
C This 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+)
D This 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+)
F This 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:

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY

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.

Exams

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. 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 9 December 2016.  Make sure you are in Rome during finals week.
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

Please note well: There is homework in nearly every class. What is written here is just the basics. When a student is absent, it is the student's job to contact a colleague to find out about what is due. The student must hand in the assignment on at the class immediately following the absence. Points will be deducted for each day the assignment is late.

Week 1: 29 August-2 September

Class 1 -30 August

- Introduction, syllabus, book, homework policy, absences



- Moodle, Turnitin

- Professional register

- electronics in class

Homework: Post an image of an old pre-digital photograph that is meaningful to you. Write a paragraph describing the photo and post that too. Bring in a printout of the photo and your paragraph.

Class 2 -1 September

- Mywritinglab

- Workshopping

            Homework:

  1. Be ready to present how to write a paragraph in class.

    1. Resources:

      WAE Chapter 1

  2. Study for Policy Quiz

           



Week 2: 5 Sept-9 Sept

WAE Ch 1 - Paragraph

Class 1 -6 September

  • Policy quiz

  • Paragraph discussion

  • Exercises with paragraphs

Homework:

  1. Read Hijuelos, “Memories of New York City Snow” from MFW. Answer Questions for Study and Discussion 1-5. Post to Moodle and bring a copy of your printout to class. Be ready to present your answers to this essay.

     

Class 2 -8 September

  • Hijuelos discussion.



    In class writing

  • Homework: Read Gladwell, “No Mercy” from MFW. Answer Questions for Study and Discussion 2,4,6 and do the Classroom Activity Using Unity. Post your Study and Discussion questions to Moodle and bring a copy of your post to class as well as your work in the Classroom Activity Using Unity. Be ready to present your answers.

















Week 3: 12 Sept-16 Sept

WAE Ch 2 – Unity and Coherence

Class 1 - 13 September

  • Gladwell discussion

    Homework: Be ready to present on Unity and Coherence.

    Resources:

                Chapter 2 WAE.

Class 2 - 15 September







Week 4 - 19 Sept-23 Sept (Make up day for Tuesday, Nov. 1)

WAE Ch 8 – Paraphrase and Summary

Class 1 - 20 September

Class 2 -22 September

Class 3 - 23 September

In class writing

 

Week 5: 26 Sept-30 Sept

WAE Ch 4 – Paragraph to Essay

Class 1 -27 September

Class 2 - 29 September

 

Week 6:  3 Oct-7 Oct

WAE Ch 6 – Cause/Effect

Topic: The Bystander effect

Class 1 - 4 October

Class 2 - 6 October

In class writing





Week 7: 10 Oct-14 Oct

Class 1 - 11 October

Class 2 -13 October

Mywritinglab is due next week!









Week 8: 17 Oct-21 Oct

At home writing (Cause/Effect)

Class 1 -18 October

Class 2 - 20 October

First half of Mywritinglab Learning path due

 

Week 9: 24 Oct-28 Oct (Make up day for Thursday, 24 November)

WAE Ch 7 – Compare/Contrast

Topic: Gender and Advertisement

Class 1 - 25 October







Class 2 - 27 October







Class 3 - 28 October (Make up day)

 

Week 10: 31 Oct-4 November (University closed Tuesday, Nov 1)

Class 1 - University Closed







Class 2 - 3 November

At home writing (Compare/Contrast)

 

Week 11: 7 Nov-11 Nov

Class 1 - 8 November







Class 2 - 10 November

 

Week 12: 14 Nov-18 Nov

WAE – Ch 9 Argumentative Essays

Class 1 - 15 November







Class 2 - 17 November

 

Week 13: 21 Nov-25 Nov (University closed Thursday, Nov 24)

Class 1 - 22 November







At home writing (Argumentative)

Class 2 - University Closed

 

Week 14 28 Nov-1 Dec

 Class 1 - 29 November







Class 2 - 1 December

 

Final exam - 3 Dec-9 Dec