English 104 applies the fundamentals of rhetoric to the research process.  This class introduces students to the methods of research, the rhetorical nature of research, and the elements, strategies, and conventions common to research writing, including the visual as well as the verbal organization of new knowledge.

 

At the completion of English 104, students should be able to achieve the following goals:

 

· Create and complete research projects. This involves generating a research question, engaging in critical/analytical reading, developing an argument with evidence collected from both primary and secondary research, and documenting sources appropriately.

· Align research questions with appropriate research methods

· Employ critical thinking in evaluation, speculation, analysis, and synthesis required to evolve and complete a research project

Use a variety of strategies to gather and organize information appropriate for the context and persuasive to the intended audience

Use the university research library to forward their research agenda

· Engage in collaborative research

Employ format, syntax, punctuation, and spelling appropriate to various rhetorical situations in a stylistically sophisticated manner

Collect, analyze, and organize research information in verbally and visually compelling ways

Take initiative for the development and completion of individual and joint research projects

 

The content and format of English 104 are designed to enable students to achieve the course goals; specifically, students in English 104 will:

 

· Discuss, analyze, and respond to texts composed in a variety of media that develop an argument by relying on different kinds of research and that are addressed to diverse academic audiences

· Analyze the connections among research questions, research methods, audience, and style

· Design various research projects that involve generating a question, collecting data, analyzing data, and interpreting the analysis.

· Conduct research projects that rely on various means of gathering data, including but not limited to fieldwork, online research, and library research.

· Analyze data collected through a variety of methods

· Compose proposals, progress reports, and final research reports for individual projects.

· Compose final research reports that are persuasive and appropriate for the intended audience and context

· Compose research reports in multiple drafts, involving peer feedback, self-reflection, instructor’s written comments, and teacher-student conferences

· Reflect regularly on the choices available and the decisions made in the creation and completion of research projects

Through their core curriculum courses, students will be able to:

 

· engage in lifelong education by learning to acquire knowledge and to use it for intelligent ends.

· communicate at a level acceptable for college graduates.

· clarify their personal values and be sensitive to those held by others.

· recognize and seek solutions for the common problems of living by drawing on a knowledge of historical and contemporary events and elements of the cultural heritage surrounding those events.

assess their unique interests, talents, and goals and choose specialized learning experiences that will foster their fulfillment.

 

Ball Point (http://www.bsu.edu/english/writingprogram/BALLPOINT_21.pdf)

 

Behrens, Laurence and Leonard J. Rosen.  Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum.  9^th ed. 

                 New York:  Pearson/Longman, 2005.

 

Blackboard (log in at http://my.bsu.edu/webapps/login)

 

 

As an outcome of the course content and format, which enable the accomplishment of the course goals, students in English 104 will be required to complete:

 

· Four or more research projects that address different audiences, contexts, and data collection/analysis processes

▪ Each project will culminate in a research driven report, between 4 to 6 pages; appropriate works cited is additional

▪ One report must incorporate a significant visual element

· Reading assignments for discussion, analysis, and response including texts created through a variety of media

Informal writing assignments (such as journals, reading reflections, in-class writings, or smaller pieces intrinsic to major research projects)

 

Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the stated due date.  Generally speaking you should expect no extensions, though convincing extenuating circumstances will always be considered if presented in a timely fashion.  A NOTE ON LATE WORK:  I do not accept late work without prior contact and approval.  Late work that does come in after approval MAY be subject to a ⅓ letter grade penalty per day (A to A-, A- to B+, etc.) and the day that the work is originally due counts as the first day.  Unapproved late work receives a zero.

 

GRADE BREAKDOWN				GRADING SCALE
Participation & In-Class Writing		10%		A	92-100%	C	72-77%
Short Essays	Literacy Narrative	5%		A-	90-91%	C-	70-71%
	Summary	5%		B+	88-89%	D+	68-69%
	Critique	5%		B	82-87%	D	62-67%
Research Projects	Brainstorming Report	5%		B-	80-81%	D-	60-61%
	Observation Report	10%		C+	78-79%	F	below 59%
	Collection Report	20%
	Textualization Report	20%		In order to pass this class, you must earn a grade of C or higher.
	Contextualization Report	20%

 

GRADING RUBRIC:  online at http://www.bsu.edu/english/writingprogram/rubric.htm

 

A major component of this class is your willingness to learn from each other in an open and honest environment.  Thus, a significant portion of your grade in this class will be based on your participation.  Participation means being prepared in class as well as being thoughtful, honest, and respectful in your questions and comments.  I expect you to handle yourselves maturely and with sensitivity and respect for others and their viewpoints.  You are expected to be prepared for class (having relevant texts and note-taking materials; having read and reflected on the reading) and to participate in class discussions, but without interrupting or personally attacking others.  I also expect to work with you individually on your essays and assignments during office hours; class time is not enough to cover writing concerns completely, and your efforts in making use of office time contribute positively to your participation grade.  If any of this concerns you for any reason, please see me as soon as possible.   

 

You are allowed three absences during the semester.  For each absence over three, I will deduct one-half letter grade.  Departmental policy dictates that if you are absent 20% of the time (or eight classes over the course of the semester), you will automatically fail the course.

Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas and passing them off as your own.  I take any instance of plagiarism very seriously and can give you and F for that assignment or for the entire course.  You can also be referred to the Dean for further disciplinary action, which can include expulsion from the university.  Plagiarism (among other forms of dishonesty) is a very serious academic offense and has both direct and indirect forms: 

 

DIRECT PLAGIARISM includes copying word-for-word from a source, copying partially from a source, copying someone else’s essay (this includes any purchased essays), and pirating papers from the Internet or any other source.

INDIRECT PLAGIARISM includes inaccurate citing and taking credit for another person’s idea.  Thus, paraphrasing a pirated paper or other source without documentation is plagiarism.

 

In either case, plagiarism is the failure to recognize your sources appropriately and adequately; do not plagiarize or dishonestly represent yourself in any way.  Refer to Ball Point, and see me if you are ever in doubt. 

 

If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

 

If you are struggling in this class in any way, please talk to me as soon as possible.  If you would like additional help with your writing, visit The Writing Center (RB 291; phone 765-285-8387; online at   http://www.bsu.edu/web/writingctr/).

Course Links

 

 

DISCLAIMER:

As with many things in life, this syllabus is tentative, and I reserve the right to make changes to it during the semester.