EN102

Course Description:
EN 102 Techniques of Reading and Writing
Studies in rhetoric, argumentation, and persuasion.  Introduction to and practice in academic research and writing a research paper.  PREREQUISITES:  EN101 or EN101A with a grade of C or better.  Three hours lecture each week.    3 semester hours

This course may also be taken for Honors credit, by permission of the instructor.
EN102 helps students become more capable college-level readers, writers and thinkers. Through practice in argumentation and research, students should come to understand more fully the rich, complex relationships among reading, writing, and critical thinking.  In EN102 students utilize and enhance the skills they acquired in EN101/A and acquire new skills in critical analysis, writing about texts, and research.

Course Objectives
EN102 focuses on reading closely and critically, interpreting texts, and recognizing rhetorical strategies. Through a series of exercises and assignments students learn to analyze and write about texts.  They also develop the content of their writings by developing their own thinking on current issues.   In EN 102, students learn the following:
§ To formulate research questions and to conduct research
§ To use their critical reading and analysis skills to evaluate sources
§ To incorporate researched information into their writing honestly and effectively,
§ To learn the formal requirements for acknowledging and documenting sources using the MLA parenthetical style
Through a series of informal presentation assignments, the course also provides students with ample opportunity to develop their oral argumentation skills.

Assignments:
Formal Essays:
Students are required to produce three essays  for this course, all of which require in-text citation, and one of which will incorporate extensive external research findings.  Students are encouraged to pursue topics and issues that are of special interest to them so that the work they perform for this course will also be of benefit to them personally and intellectually.  These essays are:  1) Analysis of an Argument  2) Definition Essay  3) Research Essay:  Argumentative Essay developed through research.  These essays will originate in the classroom and will generally entail peer feedback during in-class workshops.  In addition to the essays, students will also complete a research assignment.
 

Collaborative/Group Projects:
In addition to these formal written assignments, students will also complete two other projects:
1) Controversial Issues Group Presentation:  Students will work in groups of four to develop a presentation on an issue that is of common interest to them.  This presentation will provide researched information on the issue and also present some arguments and counterarguments.  The presenters will engage the class in discussion on this issue.
2) Informal Debate:  At the end of the semester, students will argue and counter-argue positions contained in selected essays in the “Opposing Viewpoints” section of the textbook.  Participants in these debates will be evaluated on their supports, claims, and other aspects of arguments covered in the course to that point

Informal Assignments:
During the course of the semester students will complete exercises, informal presentations, completion of drafts, sharing public information with the class, and other informal assignments, totaling 10.  Some of these assignments will be collected, while others will be checked for credit in class.  Students may miss 2 of these without penalty.
In some instances, students will be required to work on their grammar skills in the Learning Lab on campus and/or to offer proof of their work on grammar using their handbook and attending tutoring sessions.

Course Requirements:
To pass EN102, students will be expected to develop and use the following skills:
§ Use sound argumentative strategies and effective logic in their own thinking and writing
§ Analyze rhetorical techniques and their effects on readers
§ Complete research projects in an approved academic format, thus integrating the ideas of others with their own thinking and avoiding plagiarism.

Absences:  Given the collaborative, workshop style of this course, attendance is a main requirement. Three absences are allowed.  Each absence above and beyond these three is penalized by a quarter letter grade (a plus or minus off from the final grade for the term).  There are no “excused” or “legal” absences in this class.  If you must miss class, it is your responsibility to catch up on the work you missed and to communicate with the professor about your circumstances.

Latenesses:  Each lateness of more than five minutes counts as 1/3 of an absence.

Deadlines:  All formal writing assignments must be submitted at the very beginning of class on the day they are due.  Late assignments will not be accepted unless arrangements for an extension have been made with the instructor in advance.  (Detailed descriptions of assignments will be issued separately.)  Students are required to keep themselves informed of all deadlines and assignments.  Absence is not an excuse for coming to class unprepared or for failing to turn assignments in on time.

Peer Collaboration: All students are expected to contribute to the work of their peers in constructive ways, and to participate fully in small-group work in class.  This means listening to and reading the work of others attentively, and being prepared to share one’s own writings with group members.  Note that the last quarter of the semester will be devoted to intensive collaborative work.
 

Texts & Supplies:
Annette Rottenberg, Elements of Argument:  A Text and Reader.  Sixth Edition.
Bedford/St.Martin’s, 2000.
Diana Hacker, The Bedford Handbook.  Any edition.
A good dictionary
A good thesaurus
Three-ring binder
Steno notebook to be used as journal

Course Grade Breakdown:
§ Informal homework assignments, exercises (5 at 3% each, total of 15%)
§ Three formal assignments (critical analysis and definition essays, 15% each; total of 30%; Issues presentation, 20%)
§ Research paper (20%)
§ Journal; average of 2 entries per week, some on assigned topics (15%)

Note:  Students are responsible for information contained in the Student Handbook and college catalogue, including rules governing academic honesty, dates for withdrawal, examinations, and other important items.  Students who fail to observe the academic honesty code will fail the course.