SYLLABUS FOR RHETORIC & COMPOSITION II
Term: Fall, 2006
Course Number: English 104
Instructor: Dr. Chris Buczinsky
E-mail: cbuczinsky@ccsj.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday 11:00-12:00, 3:30-4:30
Wednesday 3:00-7:00
Friday 11:00-12:00, 3:30-4:30
Instructor Background: I graduated from Northwestern in 1994 with my Ph.D. in English. Before coming to CCSJ I spent four years as a performer of children’s poetry. After that I worked two years as an associate editor of a trade magazine. This is my fifth year at CCSJ. I teach Rhetoric and Composition, Writing for the Media, American Literature, Global Perspectives (The Americas), and Literary Theory and Criticism. I am also the faculty advisor for The Shavings, CCSJ’s student newspaper.
Course Time: Tuesdays and Fridays 1:50 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
Course Goals: English 104 develops and refines skills gained in English 103 with an emphasis on the development of research skills. Our goal is to learn how to research effectively and how to write a persuasive research essay. We focus on all stages of the research process: choosing a topic, doing exploratory research, formulating a tentative thesis, gathering and assimilating sources, taking notes, and drafting, revising, editing, and documenting the paper in MLA style. Prerequisites: English 103
In this course we are going to write a persuasive research essay on a controversial social issue. We will learn
1. To choose a topic and do exploratory research
2. To create a master list of sources and make bibliography cards
3. To formulate a thesis
4. To develop a working outline
5. To do purposeful research and take usable notes
6. To draft, revise, and write the final copy, smoothly blending quotations into your own argument.
7. To write persuasively, using relevant evidence and logical argument
8. To properly cite and document sources using MLA (Modern Language Association) format
9. To avoid plagiarism
10. To prepare the final manuscript properly
Course Description and Assignments:
We will meet these objectives in the process of writing a single persuasive research essay. Some of you may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of writing a research paper, but you needn’t be. I have broken the project down into five smaller papers.
1. You will begin by writing a 3-5 page Opinion Paper in which you will take a stand on your controversial topic and advance reasons in support of your opinion.
The opinion paper will be a “snapshot” of where you stand on the topic before you do any serious research. It will give you an opportunity to think through the matter and clarify your own position independent of other writers’ opinions. It also requires you to come up with your own reasons to support your position. And finally, it provides a place for you to start your research—looking for evidence to support those reasons.
If the available evidence supports some or all of your original reasons, you are fortunate. You can use your opinion essay as a kind of embryo or blue print to create your final research paper. If, as often happens, the evidence you find contradicts part or all of your original reasons, you can modify (or even reverse) your opinion, revise your reasons, or even change topics with plenty of time to complete your project.
2. Your next assignment will be to write a 3-page Opposition Summary Paper.
In this paper you will briefly summarize the major arguments against your point of view expressed in your opinion paper. This will give you a chance to come to terms with the people who disagree with you. You will be able to support your own position most persuasively if you know what you’re up against. And, in fact, in the final paper you may want to respond directly to some opposition arguments (though the function of this paper is simply to summarize, not rebut, the opposition).
3. All of the work on your first two papers will culminate in your final 10 page Research Paper.
After you have developed your own position and fairly considered the opposition arguments, you will reformulate your opinion on your controversial issue in the research paper. You will use your sources to help defend your position and rebut the opposition. You will write 2 drafts of your research paper. Only the final paper is graded. But the rough draft is required. (See below)
4. After the research paper is finished you will write a 1-2 page Post-Mortem Paper.
In this short final paper you will discuss how and why your opinion on your controversial issue changed. The presumption is that you learned something as a result of engaging in the research process.*
* Sources: NNU Research Guide: Writing From Sources 11 ed. (Northwest Nazarene University, 2002-2003). This course idea and organization relies on the work of the English Department of Northwest Nazarene University. The course description is taken with permission from the guide cited above.
Textbooks:
Writing Essentials by Dawn Rodrigues and Myron C. Tuman (Required for English 103)
Learning Strategies: Chalk Talks with exercises, In-class writing with individual Teacher/Student Mentoring, Class Discussion.
Assessment:
1. Homework Assignments (100 pts.)
In the course of the semester I will assign, collect, and grade approximately twelve (12) homework assignments. Each is worth 10 pts, if you complete it on time. If it is one class period late, you will receive 8 pts; two class periods (or one week) late, 6 pts. Homework will not be accepted beyond one week. This means that you can miss two homework assignments and still receive the full 100 points for your homework grade. Homework is a learning exercise, not an assessment tool; therefore, all homework done with integrity will receive full credit.
2. Individual Essays (500 pts.)
The individual essays are explained in the course description above. I will evaluate the papers with the Rubric for Acceptable Writing at the end of this syllabus.
Assignment Weights:
1. Homework Assignments 100 pts.
2. Opinion Paper 100 pts.
3. Opposition Summary Paper 150 pts.
4. Research Paper 200 pts.
5. Post-Mortem Paper 50 pts.
Total Points 600 pts.
Grading Scale:
Grades will be assigned based on your performance on the requirements listed above. Students will be assigned final grades based on the following scale:
|
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520-539 = B+ |
460-479 = C+ |
400-419= D+ |
0-359 = F |
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547-600 = A |
500-519 = B |
440-459= C |
380-399 = D |
|
|
540-546= A- |
480-499 = B- |
420-439 = C- |
360-379 = D- |
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Paper Due Dates
1. Opinion Paper Friday, September 15
2. Opposition Summary Paper Friday, October 6
3. Research Paper
a. Rough Draft Friday, October 27
b. Final Draft Friday, November 24
4. Post-Mortem Paper Tuesday, November 27
Warning: you must submit a rough draft. No research paper will be graded unless I have first seen a rough draft. In addition, the rough draft must be submitted on time. Your grade on your final paper will be reduced one letter grade for every class period that it is late. It will also be reduced one letter grade for every class period that the rough draft is late.
Class Policy for Assignments:
All assignments must be handed in on time, or if late, with an acceptable explanation. Papers will be marked down one letter grade for every class they are late. I will not accept late papers the last week of classes.
All papers will be/have:
a. typed
b. double-spaced
c. stapled
d. printed in 12 pt. New Times Roman font ONLY
e. one inch margins
f. a heading on the first page with student’s name, paper form and date turned in
g. student’s name on all subsequent pages (ex. Buczinsky/2)
h. a title
Papers not submitted in this format will not be accepted.
Class Policy on Tardiness and Attendance:
In accordance with English program policy, any student missing more than NINE (9) hours of class will receive an F. These nine hours include both excused and unexcused absences; it also includes all tardies of more than 15 minutes. 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.
Our class begins at 1:50 p.m. sharp. If you are tardy, I have to stop the class to get you up to speed. This is unfair to other students, and it wastes time. I reserve the right to lock the doors to all who are consistently late. I also reserve the right to mark you absent for the whole class if you develop a habit of leaving early (which is especially disruptive). In short, I want the pleasure of your company for the entire class period.
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.
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. The number is 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 but 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) Please be aware that your papers will be submitted for examination for plagiarism to Turnitin.com, a plagiarism-check Internet company with which the college has contracted.
Citation Guidelines:
Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to citation guidelines as prescribed by the particular discipline (i.e., MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style or Turabian.). All of these guidelines are available in the library or bookstore. These texts outline how to cite references from a variety of sources, including electronic media.
Withdrawal from Classes Policy:
After the last day for class changes has passed (see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with the Registrar. A written request for the withdrawal must be received by the Registrar by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund schedule when withdrawing from courses.
The request is forwarded to the faculty member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request. If the request is honored, the student will receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division (DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD withdrawals.
An official withdrawal is recorded as a "W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a course without written permission automatically incurs an "F" grade for the course (see Refund Schedule).
Modifications to this syllabus may be made to meet the needs of this specific class.
Sources: NNU Research Guide: Writing From Sources 11 ed. (Northwest Nazarene University, 2002-2003). This syllabus relies on the work of the English Department of Northwest Nazarene University. The course description is taken with permission from the guide cited above. Special thanks to my mentors Gayman Bennet and Kevin Dennis.
RUBRIC/CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTABLE WRITING: