Syllabus

St. Joseph’s College
School of Professional and Graduate Studies
Brooklyn Campus

ENG 103 Writing for Effective Communication
Fall 2009
Instructor: Kathleen Fraser
Contact Numbers: (718) 438-0155
E-Mail: kfraser@sjcny.edu



I. CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Analysis and application of the principles of effective writing. Skill development in the performance of various writing tasks with attention to business communication. Research techniques also implemented.

II. OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
Students are expected to develop the following skills:
· Writing summaries, paraphrasing sources, using quotations and citations
· Reading and critiquing course materials
· Drafting, editing and revising their work
· Synthesizing arguments
· Locating and analyzing sources
· Writing a research paper

III. TEXTS
Required
Behrens, L., Rosen, L. (2007) A Sequence for Academic Writing. Pearson Longman.
Strongly Recommended
Three-hole loose-leaf binder
Recommended
Index cards (3x5 and 5x8)

IV. CRITERIA FOR GRADING
Writing Assignments ……… 25%
Research Paper …………….. 35%
Final Examination ………….. 25%
Class Participation …………. 15%

All written assignments will be graded for the quality of thought, for organization, and for attention to mechanics. All writing assignments must be typed and submitted on the due dates. There will be ten point grade reduction in grade for papers that are not submitted on the due dates. Students should keep a copy of each completed assignment submitted to the instructor. Consult the Student Handbook for penalties for plagiarism.

Class Participation in necessary if the student is to engage actively in the learning process and achieve the desire objectives of the course. Participation includes completion of reading assignments and involvement in classroom activities and discussion.

The final exam, which will be given during the last class session, will address the material covered throughout the semester. It will be a combination of short answer and short essay questions.

V. TOPICS
September 10
Introductions
Writing as a Process
Subject and a Topic
Writing Samples
September 17
The Sentence as an Accumulation of Parts
Summarizing and Paraphrasing
The Thesis Statement (Chapter 1)
September 24
APA Research Paper
Selecting a Topic
Writing as a Process (Chapter 6)
October 1
Locating, Mining and Citing Sources (Chapter 7)
October 8
Final Topic is due
Reading and Critiquing (Chapter 2)
October 15
The Explanatory Synthesis (Chapter 3)
October 22
The Argument Synthesis (Chapter 4)
October 29
The Comparison-Contrast Synthesis (Chapter 4)

November 5
Analysis (Chapter 5)
November 12
Preparing an Outline
Citations
November 19
First Drafts Presented and Reviewed
December 3
Tone and Style
December 10
Research Paper is due
Review for Final Examination
December 17
Final Examination
Please Note: The above outline of session topics may have to be revised during the semester to meet our needs.

VI. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECTS

VII. FINAL EXAMINATION
The final exam, which will be given during the last class session, will address the material covered throughout the semester. It will be a combination of short answer and short essay questions.

VIII. PLAGIARISM AND OTHER FORMS OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
The College expects students to observe academic integrity in all aspects of their academic life, including the conduct of their examinations, assignments, and research. All members of the College community share the responsibility for creating a climate of academic integrity, based on fairness to others and respect for oneself. Violations of academic integrity are treated very seriously. Plagiarism (the act of copying, stealing, or presenting the ideas or words of another as one’s own without giving credit to the source), cheating on examinations, and all forms of academic dishonesty are forbidden. Students found guilty of such behavior are subject to appropriate disciplinary action, which may include reduction in grade, a failure in the course, suspension, or expulsion.

Instructors at St. Joseph’s College routinely use plagiarism detection devices such as Turnitin and Google to uncover acts of plagiarism.

IX. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you have a documented disability--physical, psychological, medical, or learning--which may impact your academic learning, please contact the Office of Counseling and Career Services at (718) 718.940.5852. The Director will determine with you which accommodations are necessary and appropriate. All disability-related information will be kept confidential.


X. BIBILIOGRAPHY
National Commission on Writing. (2004). Writing: A Ticket to Work…or A Ticket Out. A
Survey of Business Leaders. New York: College Board


XI. WEB SITEAmerican Psychological Association – http://www.apa.style.org
Writing Exercises – http://www.collegeboard.com http://www.mycomplab.com