INSTITUTION:                     MSU-Great Falls College of Technology

 

COURSE TITLE:                  Composition II

 

COURSE NUMBER:            ENGL 122   Prerequisite – ENGL 121!

 

 

NUMBER OF CREDITS:    3 Semester

 

OFFICE:                                 Colleen Hazen, R236

                                                771-4373

                                                chazen@msugf.edu

Arts & Sciences Faculty Office:  268-3705

 

OFFICE HOURS:                  M,W: 2 – 4; R: 9 - 10.  Office hours are flexible!

 

  I.        COURSE DESCRIPTION:

 

A continuation of the study of the modes of composition introduced in ENGL 121, this course emphasizes argumentation and research writing.  Students will complete a variety of major essays focusing on persuasive/analysis topics including a significant research paper, accompanied by a thorough reference page.  Students will be introduced to library research methods, the avoidance of plagiarism and persuasive pitfalls, and formal documentation style.

 

COURSE MATERIALS:

 

Jacobus, Lee A.A World of Ideas. Sixth Edition, 2002.

Gibaldi, Joseph MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Sixth Edition

 

III.       COURSE OBJECTIVES:

 

The primary focus of this course is to learn how to create a research paper from start to finish.  The learning objectives follow:

•           Analyze different writing modes and audiences

•           Create a workable thesis

•           Organize and outline a research project/paper

•           Summarize and paraphrase material

•           Gain a working knowledge of a library

•           Collect and evaluate pertinent material including Internet sources.

•           Take notes and document correctly

•           Draft a paper

•           Edit and use correct English usage

•           Format a formal research paper

•           Present a research topic to an audience

IV.       COURSE OUTLINE:

 

Students should have mastery of material from English I, including sentence structure and essay form.  Students will expand writing, grammar, research, and editing skills beyond the basics.  Standard English is required.

 

Expectations

•           Read all assigned material prior to class and come prepared to discuss and apply material

•           Research, write, edit and type up to three 5 – 7-page essays with documented sources and one 15 – 17-page research paper with a ten source minimum.     

•           Write persuasive, expository (including one comparison/contrast), and analysis essays

•           Attend all classes

•           Type and spell check all work except in-class items.

•           Give feedback to fellow students

•           Prepare and give an oral presentation to the class.

Complete a final examination.

 

 

 

V.  COURSE POLICIES:

 

  • Attendance at all classes is required and missed sessions will affect your final grade.  Your course grade will be lowered one half of a grade for each absence (excused or unexcused) above four.

 

  • Because peer-editing sessions are planned for each project, working drafts are required for all papers.  The editing sessions will allow you to gain important input from your fellow students while you develop your own critical reading skills.  Failure to hand in drafts on time will lower your final essay grade one letter.  Final papers must be submitted on the assigned date.  Your final paper grade will be lowered a letter for each day your essay is overdue.  Weekends count as well.

 

  • Class participation is critical to the success of this course—Enthusiastic contributions to the discussions are required.

 

  • All assignments and requirements must be completed for a student to receive a grade in the class.

 

  • Incompletes will not be given.  Exceptions: Serious personal illness or family emergency.

 

  • Photocopied source material must be turned in with the papers.  All papers and assignments are due on the assignment date. All plagiarism will receive an “F ” (0) grade (see below).

Grading Policies

 

Students will be graded on a point system —the total number of possible points determined by the points assigned to various papers, quizzes, and exercises.  Late papers will be assigned an “F” grade.  Some papers will be scored on a rubric and then converted to a point total.

Scale

A  = 90 -100%                        Essays:                                     70%

B  = 80 - 89%                          Participation:                             20%

C  = 70 - 79%                         Final/Presentation:                     10%

D  = 60 - 69%                        

F  = 59% and below

MSU/COT Academic Integrity Policy: As an institution of higher education, Montana State University - Great Falls College of Technology requires its students to adhere to high standards for academic integrity.  It is a violation of academic integrity to present the ideas, designs, or work of another person as one's own effort or to permit another person to do so.  The College will regard the following acts as violations of academic integrity requiring disciplinary action:

Plagiarism -Submitting an assignment-whether written, oral, graphic, or computer-generated-which consists wholly or partially of the words, work, or ideas of another individual without giving the original author proper credit.

Copying - Using crib notes, cheat sheets, books, or other material, resource or electronic device as aids in an examination or any other graded exercise, unless the instructor of the class has given permission to use such materials.     Collaborating with another student or students on an examination or other graded exercise, without instructor permission.  Contributing to violations of Academic Integrity - Knowingly assisting another student in an act which violates academic integrity.

Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated at MSU-Great Falls College of Technology.  The consequence for the first such violation is at the discretion of the instructor and may range from a failing grade for the particular assignment/test to a failing grade in the course in which the act of academic dishonesty occurred.  Faculty must report all violations of academic integrity to their respective Department Chairs.  In the instance of repeated offenses, the Department Chair will recommend disciplinary action ranging from a failing grade for the assignment/course up to and including expulsion from the College.  Appeals of Department Chair decisions on academic dishonesty are made to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Students with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations in their classes. If you have a disability that may require accommodation, please contact the Disability Services office in Academic Resources as early as possible in the semester.

 

2001-2002

 

 

English 122                                                                                         Spring 2006

Course Schedule (Subject to Change).

 

Week 1:  January 11 - 13

            Introduction/autobiography.

Syllabus.

Critical Reading.

Read “Letter from Birmingham Jail” pp. 179 –199.

 

Week 2:  January 16 - 20

                                    Martin Luther King Jr. Day—No Classes!

                                    Essay #1 Assigned:  Justice in Our World, According to Whom?

Discuss “Letter from Birmingham Jail”

 

Week 3:  January 23 - 27

            Term Research Essay Assigned

            Discuss “On Civil Disobedience,” pp. 141 – 167.

           

Week 4:  January 30 – February 3

                                    Discuss “From Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass,” pp. 125 – 139 and “Free at Last,” pp. 585 – 597.

                                    Research Essay Thesis Due

 

Week 5:  February 6 - 10

                                    Justice Essay Thesis Statement Due.

                                    Discuss “Declaration of Independence,” pp. 75 - 83 & “Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions,” pp. 169 - 177.

                                    Peer Edit Justice Essay                        

 

Week 6:          February 13 - 17

                                    Justice Essay due

                                    Nature Essay Assigned

 

Week 7:          February 20 – 24

                                    Presidents Day, No Classes

                                    Nature Essay Thesis Due

                                    Research Review Part I: Citations and Quotations

 

Week 8:  February 27 – March 3                            

                                    Research Review, Part II: Works Cited Page 

            Discuss Nature Introduction & “The Four Idols,” pp. 412 – 433.

 

Week 9: March 6 - 10

                                    Discuss “Natural Selection,” pp. 435 – 450.

                                   

Week 10:  March 13 – 17

                                    Spring Break--Enjoy!

 

Week 11: March 20 – 24

                                    Discuss “Nature Fights Back,” pp. 453 - 469

           

Week 12:  March 27 – 31

Discuss “Nonmoral Nature,” pp. 471 - 485

            Peer Edit Nature Essay

           

Week 13 April 3 – 7

                                    Nature Essay Due.

            Works Cited Due (Workshop)         

           

Week 14:  April 10 - 14

Peer Edit Research Essay.

 

Week 15:  April 17 - 21

            Polish & Questions

 

Week 16:  April 24 - 28

            Research Essays Due!!!!

            Presentation Final

 

Week 17:  May 1 - 4

            Final Examination:  Due Monday, May 1, 11:55 p.m.

 

Once Again—This Schedule is Subject to Change!!!!!