EN 102Summer 20151

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EN 102 Analytical Writing, Argument, and Academic Research

Online: May 18-June 26, 2015

INSTRUCTOR: Lucy ManleyEMAIL: lmanley@vfmac.edu

Required textsNone required. All readings and articles will be provided by the instructor.

PREREQUISITESEN 101 Composition and Rhetoric

Course DescriptionEN 102 is the second half of the year-long freshman writing requirement. This course concentrates on the development of the researched argument. Students learn to develop and defend a thesis backed by scholarly sources in papers employing an appropriate documentation format. Through selected readings and writings, students are challenged to identify and compare opposing viewpoints in order to define and understand the elements of controversy surrounding the issues being investigated. Concurrently, students are introduced to methods of analyzing and synthesizing source material, the elements and structure of argument and the process of practical academic research.

VFMAC CORNERSTONESSince 1935, the mission of the Valley Forge Military College has been to teach cadets our curriculum and to transfer them as prepared scholars and leaders, to academically competitive four-year colleges, universities, or service academies. Centered on a proven liberal arts and science core curriculum, faculty and staff guide cadets toward subject knowledge and the application of effective and essential study skills, and prepare students for leadership roles in civilian and military fields, in the global community. This approach, focusing on process and content, enables the cadets to master daily academic lessons and fosters lifelong learning.

Five Cornerstones Academic ExcellenceCharacter DevelopmentPersonal MotivationPhysical DevelopmentLeadership

The emphasis on critical thinking, the development of a global perspective, and an appreciation for cultural diversity supports the VFMC cornerstones of Academic Excellence and Leadership, as evidenced by essays, role plays, and class discussions.The emphasis on communicative and cultural competence and an appreciation for cultural diversity supports the VFMC cornerstones of Academic Excellence and Leadership. Communicative competence will be measured by students participation in class communicative activities and group work. EN 102 is an opportunity to sharpen analytical skills and students ability to express that critical analysis in written and oral forms. In conjunction with the emphasis on communicative and cultural competence and an appreciation for cultural diversity as demonstrated by course readings, EN 102 supports the VFMC cornerstones of Academic Excellence, Character Development and Leadership. This courses emphasis on writing as a process, with built-in opportunities for review and revision, addresses the cornerstone of Personal Motivation, encouraging students to challenge themselves to improve and succeed. Communicative competence, analytical ability, and critical writing skills will be measured by students participation in class communicative activities (written and oral) and group work. Cultural competence and the appreciation for cultural diversity will be evidenced by students participation in class discussions and responses to questions, written assignments, and group presentations.

Student Learning OutcomesUpon successful completion of the course students will be able to: Understand of the purpose, structure, and techniques used in research-based writing Select appropriate sources that best support an argumentative thesis. Demonstrate appropriate reasons and methods for incorporating paraphrases, summaries, and direct quotations into research drafts using approved note-taking strategies and the development of a portfolio. Use MLA documentation in each stage of the research process. Expand skills of correct grammar, usage, mechanics, and other fundamentals of composition. Individual assignments may focus on the identification of the fundamentals of argument, analyses of arguments, annotation and sources evaluations. Apply of critical thinking skills, analysis of arguments, and evaluation of sources that support and oppose the students argumentative claim. Incorporate primary research methods and results into research. Synthesize materials drawn from primary and secondary sources with their own ideas and experiences.

GradingAssignmentsPoints

Paper 1: Research Essay Analysis30

Paper 2: Prospectus50

Paper 3: Annotated Bibliography50

Paper 4: Research Essay400

Paper 5: Blog Synthesis50

Research Blog140

Research Ready270

Syllabus Quiz10

*You must complete all major papers to pass the course.

Grading scaleTranscript/EntryCorrespondingPercentNumerical Grade letter grade Equivalent4.0A95-100%3.7A-94-94%3.3B+89-90%3.0B84-88%2.7B-81-83%2.3C+79-80%2.0C73-78%1.7C-71-72%1.3D+69-70%1.0D67-68%0.7D-65-66%0.0F0-64%

Grade Appeal Policy: All grades are considered final at the close of an academic term as determined by the Office of the Dean. Students and faculty may only appeal final course grades which they can clearly demonstrate were awarded arbitrarily, capriciously and/or because of prejudice or clerical error by the professor/instructor of the course. No other reason for a grade change will be accepted.

Paper Format and guidelinesThe draft and final versions of your papers and projects will be uploaded to Moodle & TurnItIn. You will sometimes be asked to bring printed copies to class on the due date to use in peer response and other class activities. Your assignments should follow MLA style:

typed in Times New Roman 12 point double spaced make sure the paper size is set to letter (8 x 11) have 1 inch (1 = 2.54 cm) margins on all sides proper MLA heading and pagination

You will have the opportunity to revise all assignments at least one time. The final versions of your projects will count toward your semester grade. All iterations, first to final, need to adhere to minimal guidelines to be accepted. Those guidelines will be communicated on assignments.Keep all intermediate drafts in your personal files! You will need to refer back to these at different times in the semester, so that you get a fuller idea of your progress and issues to focus on in the future.

Late Work Late work will not be accepted without prior permission of the instructor. This means that I will not review late drafts, and late final projects will not be accepted. However, if you run into circumstances where you feel you need more time on an assignment due to your personal circumstances, bring your concerns to my attention before the deadline, asking for an extension. This is far better than just turning in the assignment late, or even worse, copying from someone or somewhere, risking your career at VFMAC. In the end, extensions are given at the discretion of the instructor.Anything not submitted by the indicated time on that date will be considered late.

ACADEMIC HONESTYVFMAC policies in five areas: academic honesty, late assignment, missed exams, deficiency list, and detention policies, are summarized below:

Academic Honesty PolicyAs students, Valley Forge cadets should do all of their coursework honestly so that they can be appropriately evaluated based on that work. Students should avoid academic dishonesty in all its forms, including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, and other academic misconduct.

Definitions of Academic DishonestyClaiming others' ideas as one's own, failing to give appropriate credit to information sources, and/or engaging in other unethical academic practices will not be tolerated at Valley Forge Military College. Cheatingincludes but is not limited to such behaviors as copying from other students, use of books, notes or other devices not explicitly permitted, and communication of answers or parts of answers during an examination. Plagiarism usually occurs in the case of reports or papers prepared outside the classroom. Plagiarism is committed whenever a student submits any material quoted directly or paraphrased from an individual or source (be it printed, electronic, or oral) without proper acknowledgement and documentation. Copying the work of other students, whether in hard copy or electronic form, is included in this definition.

IntentPlagiarism is sometimes unconscious or unintended. Students who are not sure how to document sources properly should speak with their professors prior to submitting written work. Ignorance may not be an excuse for violating the College rules banning plagiarism.

Students who knowingly allow others to copy their work, either in or outside of class, will be subject to the same penalties for plagiarism and cheating as those defined above.

Other Academic Misconduct includes but is not limited to the following: 1. Fabricating information 2. Submitting a paper (or two papers that are substantially the same) for credit in two different courses without prior agreement of the instructors involved 3. Unsanctioned collaboration 4. Unauthorized assistance 5. Forging any signature on any paperwork 6. Pirating computer software 7. Stealing, damaging, or hiding library materials 8. Violating federal copyright laws, 9. Lying to receive special consideration on academic work10. Not purchasing required materials due in part because the student would be taking projects, readings and assignments from another source without just compensation or credit.

PenaltiesAll students found guilty of academic dishonesty will be penalized as follows: The instructor will determine the academic penalty. A grade of F may be awarded for the project and/or the course. The instructor may impose a less severe penalty to include a grade of F for the project and/or additional workload to compensate for the dishonest work. Students violating the Academic Honesty policy will be referred to the Cadet Honor Council for institutional punitive action as referenced in The Honor Manual.

campus Support ResourcesLearning Disability ResourcesIn accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Valley Forge Military College seeks to provide equal access to its programs and services for people with disabilities. Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations are encouraged to contact the Director of the Learning Assessment & Support Center, located on the ground floor of the May H. Baker Library.

If you feel you may need accommodation based on the impact of a disability, please inform me and contact the Director of the Learning Center as early in the semester as possible, preferably within the first week, in order to allow for reasonable prior notice to determine eligibility and to make arrangements for accommodations if warranted. All discussions will remain confidential. Further information about eligibility determination and available services is available online, via telephone 610-995-6009, or in person at the LASC.

COURSE CALENDARNote: The course calendar is subject to additions and revisions throughout the semester. You will be alerted of any changes ahead of time.

DateTopicsReadingsDue by 11:59 pm

5/18Syllabus & Online LearningSyllabusStrategies for Online LearnersSyllabus QuizBlog 1: Online Learning

5/19Why Research?Chapter 1Blog 2: Why Research?

5/20Research and Writing ProcessesChapter 2Blog 3: Research and Writing Processes

5/21Features of a Researched ArgumentEssay ExampleResearch Essay Analysis

5/25Memorial DayN/ANothing due today

5/26Identifying a TopicChapter 3Blog 4: Identifying a Topic

5/27Writing a Research Proposalpp. 49-56Prospectus Draft

5/28Conducting an Online Peer ReviewPeers draftPeer Reviewed Draft

6/1Sources and VFMC DatabasesAccessing VFMC DatabasesProspectus Final DraftBlog 5: Secondary Databse SourcesResearch Ready Course 1, lessons 1-3

6/2Internet Sources and Website EvaluationCRAAP handoutResearch Ready Course 2, lessons 1-5Research Ready Course 3, lessons 1-6

6/3Annotated Bibliographypp. 155-164Blog 6: Website EvaluationBlog 7: Annotated Bibliography Entry #1

6/4More on the Research ProcessN/AResearch Ready Course 4, lessons 1-4Blog 8: Annotated Bibliography Entry #2

6/8CitationsChapter 8Blog 9: Annotated Bibliography Entry 3-4Research Ready Course 5, lesson 1-3

6/9Annotated BibliographyN/AAnnotated Bibliography Final Draft

6/10Conducting Primary ResearchChapter 5Blog 10: Conducting Primary Research

6/11Constructing the ArgumentChapter 9Research Ready Course 6, lessons 1-6

6/15Argument ArrangementChapter 11Blog 11: Essay Outline

6/16Writing IntroductionsIntroduction handoutBlog 12: Introduction

6/17Writing ConclusionsConclusion handoutBlog 13: Conclusion

6/18Online Peer ReviewPeers draftPeer Reviewed outline, intro, & conclusion

6/22Selecting and Integrating EvidenceChapter 10Blog 14: 1000-word draft

6/23Putting it All TogetherN/AResearch Essay Draft

6/24Online Peer ReviewPeers draftPeer Reviewed draft

6/25Blog SynthesisN/ABlog Synthesis

6/26Final draft of research essay due by 11:59 pm on Friday, June 26

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