English Composition II: Writing about Non-Fiction Prose

As a continuation of English Composition I, this course focuses on the study of non-fiction prose, to develop students' proficiency in analyzing and evaluating texts and in planning, writing and documenting researched papers. This course covers CLAST writing competencies and serves to meet the Gordon Rule writing requirement.

Prerequisite: ENC 1101 with a grade of "C" or better.

Required Texts:    John Krakauer's Into Thin Air and Andre Boukreev's The Climb

A writing handbook will be used as a recommended text for reference and MLA guidelines.

Attendance/Participation:         

Students are expected to attend class and make a significant contribution to class discussion. Students must attend and participate in at least 75% of class sessions to receive an A or B for this course. Students who stop attending class will receive an FN.  Students who do not attend at least one class in the first two weeks of the term will receive an NA.

Students are expected to arrive on time for class and to bring their texts, paper, and pens to every class session.  Homework and essays are due on the date assigned.  Late papers will be accepted only in case of unavoidable emergencies.  Likewise, make-up work is limited to extreme circumstances and must be arranged prior to an absence.  Students should set cell phones and pagers to “vibrate” or turn them off to avoid interrupting class.

The last date to withdraw from this course is 19 March 2009.

Students with Disabilities: If you have a documented disability, it is your responsibility to inform your instructors during the first week of class to assure adequate accommodations are provided throughout the term.

Course Requirements:

In accordance with the Gordon Rule, ENC 1102 includes significant writing assignments, totaling at least 6,000 words. At a minimum, students will compose (1) a précis/summary, (2) a synthesis essay, (3) a research paper, (4) an argument essay, (5) a critical analysis/review, and (6) two in-class CLAST-type timed essays.

We will study the appropriate methods for accomplishing academic and professional research. Then you will write a short research paper (8-10 pages [2000 - 2500 words] plus apparatus). Failure to submit a research paper in ENC 1102 will result in a failing grade in the course.

            1    Movie  Summary    (10%)

            2    Movie / Krakauer Synthesis    (15%)

            3    Research Paper    (25%)

            4    Argument essay  for/against Boukreev    (15%)

            5    Critical Analysis / Review of Second Researched Source    (10%)

            6    In-Class CLAST-type essays    (10% each)

            7    Research Presentation    (5%)

Academic Honesty:

Please be aware that all of your work is subject to originality verification by Turnitin.com. All students are bound by the College Honor Code as described in the College Handbook. Any student who submits work not entirely of his/her own creation or aids another in doing so will receive a failing grade for that assignment and a course grade reduction of at least one letter grade. Other penalties may be enacted depending on the severity of the offense and in accordance with college policies.

The following final grades are the only possibilities for this course:

A (excellent)

B (good)

C (average)

D (poor)

F (failure for academic reasons or violation of attendance policy; student attended class

throughout session)

FN (failure for non-attendance)

W (student withdrew by 19 March 2009)

I (incomplete—rare circumstances at discretion of professor)

X (audit)

NA (student did not attend first two weeks of term)