Calumet College of St. Joseph

 

SYLLABUS FOR RHETORIC & COMPOSITION II

 

Term:  Fall, 2001-2002 (011) (Sept. 3 – Dec. 7))                                         

Course Number: ENG 104a

Instructor:   Dr. Chris Buczinsky

Office:  519

Office Phone: 219-473-4250

E-mail: cbuczinsky@ccsj.edu

Office Hours:             Tuesday          2:00-5:00

                                    Wednesday     12:00-3:00

                                    Thursday        3:00-7:00

                                    Friday             8:30-10:30

           

Instructor Background: I graduated from Northwestern in 1994. I spent four years as a performer of children’s poetry, then spent two years as an editor of two trade magazines. This is my first year at CCSJ. I teach Rhetoric and Composition, Writing for the Media, and a variety of literature courses. I am also the faculty advisor for The Shavings, CCSJ’s student newspaper.

 

Course Time: Tuesdays and Fridays 12:10p.m. – 1:40p.m.

 

Course Description: English 104 develops and refines skills gained in English 103 with an emphasis on the development of research skills. The forms of English 103 are integrated into longer, cohesive papers on topics in many fields to enable students to communicate effectively and knowledgeably in their own fields of interest. This course must be taken in the student's second semester at the College.

 

Prerequisites: ENG 103

 

Learning Outcomes/ Competencies:

Students in this course will:

 

·        Write a coherent and well-documented research paper

·        Demonstrate strong research skills, utilizing Internet and print resources effectively for academic writing

·        Write academically with regard to content and format

·        Demonstrate their communication skills

·        Write a sustained, well-developed prose essay

 

Textbooks:

 

The Mercury Reader (2001 ed.) Compiled by CCSJ for Rhetoric and Composition I & II

A Writer’s Reference (4th ed.) by Diana Hacker

The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

 

 

Learning Strategies: In-class writing, Group Work, Collaborative Learning, Teacher mentoring and instruction, etc.

 

Assessment:

 

Final grades will be based on many things:

a.       oral and written performance in class

b.      progress and improvement in writing as reflected in the student’s portfolio

c.       fulfilling the requirements of each of the assigned forms

d.      quizzes

e.       handing in a substantial amount of acceptable writing   (including required revisions and rewrites)*

f.        handing in an acceptable research paper*

 

* Rubrics for acceptable writing and acceptable research papers are found at the end of the syllabus

 

Class Policy for Assignments:

 

All assignments must be handed in on time, or if late, with a proper explanation.  Late papers will adversely affect the student’s grade.  I will not accept late papers the last week of classes.

 

All papers will be/have:

a.       typed

b.      double-spaced

c.       stapled

d.      done in 12 pt. New Times Roman type font

e.       one inch margins

f.        a cover page with student’s name, paper form and date turned in

g.       form of paper typed as title on p. 1 of paper

 

Papers not done in this format will not be accepted.

 

Class Policy on Attendance:

 

In accordance with English program policy, any student who missed more than NINE (9) hours of class will receive an F.  These nine hours include both excused and unexcused absences.  Please be aware these hours include birthdays, sport events, illness, work, etc.  If a problem arises with your absences, please come and talk to me immediately.

 

Grading Scale:

 

Letter grades will be assigned according to the student’s fulfilling the requirements above.  (See Assessment, Class Policy for Assignments, and Class Policy on Attendance.)

 

Class Policy on Electronic Devices:

 

Please turn off all cell phones, beepers, etc.  It is disruptive to have them going off during class.  If there is an important reason why you must have your phone or beeper turned on (e.g. illness at home, work situation), please inform me before class begins.

 

Course Calendar:

 

Week   Topics/Dates to Remember

 

1          Introductions. Syllabus. The Research Paper: 

2          Choosing a Topic: The Focusing Question

3          Gathering and Evaluating Sources: The Working Bibliography.
CCSJ Library Tour with Lynn Scott: September 17.

4          Note-taking Techniques: Quoting, Summarizing, and Paraphrasing. Plagiarism.

5          Tentative Thesis/Preliminary Outlining. Drafting: Voice.

6          Drafting: The Beginning, the Middle, the End.

7          Drafting: Writing with Sources
Rough Draft Due: October 18.

8          Student/Teacher Conferences: October 22

9          Revising for Purpose

10        Revising for Information

11        Revising for Language.

12        Documenting: MLA Style.

13        Preparing Final Manuscript: How Your Paper Should Look

14        Final Research Paper Due:   December 3

 

Appropriate readings from The Mercury Reader, A Writer’s Reference and other handouts will be assigned.  Students are expected to hand in all papers, required revisions, and do all the assigned readings.

 

Class Participation:

 

This class is a workshop.  This means what goes on in class is extremely important.  It is absolutely imperative that you attend all classes and participate fully in the exercises, as well as doing all the required writing.  (Also see section on Attendance Policy.)

 

Please Note: Modifications and changes to this syllabus may be made to meet the specific needs of this class.

 

Center for Academic Excellence:

Tutoring assistance is free to all students of Calumet College of St. Joseph. Call the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE), to make an appointment at 473-4287. The Center has experienced and well-trained tutors in most subject areas to help students who are struggling in a course or who are doing well and would like to do better. Regular weekly tutoring sessions are likely to improve your grade.

 

Statement of Plagiarism:

If an instructor or other Calumet College of St. Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses student grievances. (Academic Planner 2001/2002 p.27)