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Course Description, Assignments, and Grading Calculations
Course Title: ENG 101/ English Composition I
Credit Hours: 3
2021-2022
Course Description: This course consists chiefly of expository writing with emphasis on rhetoric,
grammar, and mechanics, which may be studied as ends themselves. Effective revision strategies
will be taught. Instruction in the use of the library and the writing of a library research paper are
included, and attention is given to literature (essays, poems, short stories, etc.) as time permits.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Write an engaging, well-organized, mechanically-correct essay
- Make effective use of revision
- Display a basic knowledge of grammar and rhetoric
- Locate information from a variety of sources utilizing library systems and internet search
engines.
- Support point of view with properly documented resources.
- Develop a response to a given source of literature.
Assessment:
Course/Program/Institution Improvement:
Final exams and research papers may be reviewed using a common rubric. Results stored
for institutional and program level assessment. * See attached rubric
Student Assessment Tools:
Student performance on the written work, including an obligatory final essay exam and research paper, is the main criterion.
Critical Course Content:
- In-class writings, including journals, as appropriate
- Grammar and mechanics workshops and exercises
III. Discussion of rhetorical modes and examples thereof
- Drafting of expository essays
- Revision exercises
- Research and citation methods
VII. Stages in the development of a research paper.
Course Reading Assignments:
1.“Beowulf” translated by Lesslie Hall
- Full text of “The Odyssey” by Homer (translated by William Cowper)
- Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown by Eric Blehm
- Various short stories including:
“Rappaccini’s Daughter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
“The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne
“Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl
** Additional reading material may be required, as time allows.
Course Writing Assignments:
Essay: Write an essay referring to the epic hero motif presented in the readings. Compare the heroes and substantiate your claims with cited evidence addressing each assigned text. Justify whether each hero fits the definition of an “epic hero.”
Essay: Write an essay describing the cultural values of the specific time era of each text. Compare the cultures given the evidence found in the reading and use specific details from the texts to substantiate your claims.
Essay: Analyze one of the short stories by using the Peirce and Saussure methods of Structuralist Literary Theory, and explain: What patterns exist within the text that connects it to the larger "human" experience? In other words, can we connect patterns and elements within the text to other texts from other cultures to map similarities that tell us more about the common human experience?
Essay: Analyze one of the short stories by using the Feminist Literary Theory: what patterns exists in the selection that relates to the female perspective?
Essay: Analyze one of the short stories using the Psychoanalytical Literary Theory: what patterns exists in the selection that relates to the author’s background and life experiences?
Research Paper: Write a 10 page research paper using proper MLA documentation methods based on an Ancient Culture/Civilization. Students will research an Ancient Culture and explain how that culture has impacted the world around it. Additionally students will find a minimum of three artifacts from that culture and include those artifacts as part of an Appendix attached to their research papers. Students will also include a Works Cited page. Civilizations could include:
Mayan Inca Celts Aboriginal Greek
Aztec Egyptian Hun Native American tribes Roman
Research Paper: Write a 10 page research paper using proper MLA documentation methods based on: a conspiracy theory or an unsolved mystery. Students will research an unsolved crime or a conspiracy theory that is of interest to them and explain the popular theories that relate to their topic. Students will provide an Annotated Bibliography as well as a Works Cited Page.
Powerpoint Presentations: For each research paper, students will be required to create a powerpoint of 10 content slides based on their research. The title page and works cited page do not count as content slides.
Course Speaking Assignments:
Students will utilize available technologies to produce meaningful presentations based on their research. Additional public speaking assignments may be given. Students will be expected to fully participate in class discussions; work with peers to evaluate written work; and present themselves professionally.
Though the main criterion for assessments in this class is the written work, additional quizzes and tests may be administered, as needed.
Grading Procedures:
Essays and research papers will comprise of 50% of the student’s overall average.
Tests, quizzes and speeches/presentations will comprise of 50% of student’s overall grade.
*The last research paper will be 50% of the students last marking period average as well as 20% of his/her OVERALL class average. This is equal to a final test grade.
Course Title: ENG 102/ English Composition II
Credit Hours: 3
2021-2022
Course Description: This writing-intensive course serves as a complement to English
Composition I. The main purpose here is to develop critical thinking and expository writing skills
through the study of, and written reaction to, various literary genres (short story, drama and
poetry). The work will consist chiefly of written essays, with emphasis on audience awareness,
clarity, organization, logic, articulation and fluency. Students will also have the opportunity to
further develop their library research skills.
Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Discuss at a basic level various literary genres, writers and terminologies.
- Use critical thinking skills to analyze and advocate ideas clearly and intelligently, both in
discussion and writing.
- Compose and revise engaging, well-organized, technically sound personal essays.
- Effectively research, support, and express a point of view on a topic in writing.
- Discuss a wide variety of writers and writings.
Assessment:
Course/Program/Institution Improvement:
Final exams and research papers may be reviewed using a common rubric. Results stored
for institutional and program level assessment.
Student Assessment Tools:
Student performance on the written work, including a mandatory final essay exam and
research paper, is the main criterion. Ungraded work will also be given, chiefly in the form
of written homework that will be handed in, critiqued, corrected and returned. This way,
the students can receive feedback on their writing technique and critical thinking skills,
without worrying about a grade. Students will also read their work aloud in class, in order
to better understand their own effectiveness as writers, as well as the effectiveness of their
classmates. Students will engage in classroom discussion on the various readings and will
be expected to make specific critical comments, and to avoid personal, subjective ones.
Critical Course Content:
- Reading various writings both in the text and supplemental
- Written homework to be handed in for critique and to be used as a basis of class
discussion.
- Writing of personal essays
- Quizzes on basic literary terminology and on various aspects of specific readings
Course Reading Assignments:
1.Phantom of the Opera by Gaston LeRoux
2.“Macbeth” by William Shakespeare
- Dracula by Bram Stoker
- The Holy Bible, the book of Genesis
- The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas
- Mythology of various cultures
**Additional reading materials may be required, as time allows.
Course Writing Assignments:
Essay 1: Discuss the “monster motif” in the literary works and how the monster reveals the man. Compare the characters from each of the four texts and explain how each is motivated to become the monster people see.
Essay 2: Identify the nature vs. nurture themes in the assigned text(s). Additionally, research the science behind the nature vs. nurture theory and include what you have found in relation to the assigned texts.
Research Paper: Write a 10 page research paper using proper MLA documentation methods to investigate a modern mystery and what makes that mystery amazing to today’s culture. You may choose your own topic, but must have prior approval. Topics may include:
Black Holes in space
JFK assassination conspiracy
The construction of Stonehenge
The disappearance of the D.B. Cooper
New life forms recently found
Lizzie Borden conspiracy
Devil’s Triangles throughout the world
Rubrics for written work will be provided.
Powerpoint Presentations: For each research paper, students will be required to create a powerpoint of 10 content slides based on their research. The title page and works cited page do not count as content slides.
Course Speaking Assignments:
Students will utilize available technologies to produce meaningful presentations based on their research. Additional public speaking assignments may be given. Students will be expected to fully participate in class discussions; work with peers to evaluate written work, and present themselves professionally.
Though the main criterion for assessments in this class is the written work, additional quizzes and tests may be administered, as needed.
Grading Procedures:
Essays and research papers will comprise of 50% of the student’s overall average.
Tests, quizzes and speeches/presentations will comprise of 50% of student’s overall grade.
*The last research paper will be 50% of the student's last marking period average as well as 20% of his/her OVERALL class average. This is equal to a final test grade.
