Syllabus

Instructor:  Phyllis Gobbell

Office:  K205K

Phone:  615-353-3349

E-mail:  phyllis.gobbell@nscc.edu

Course Description:  A study of argumentative and analytical writing.  Topics include advanced methods of composition, analysis and explication of literature/essays, elements of persuasion, use of evidence, and advanced methods of research.

Course Credits:  3 class hours

Course Objectives:  At the end of the course, students will have these competencies:

The textbook and the handbook are both required and both necessary for success in the course.  Do not attempt this course without access to both of these books.

Americans with Disabilities Act:  Nashville State Community College complies with the Americans With Disabilities Act. If you wish to request any special accommodations for this class, please contact the Coordinator of Disabilities at 353-3592, office-D13a. 

Academic Integrity Statement:

• Students guilty of academic dishonesty, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are responsible to the instructor of the class.  Academic dishonesty is defined as but not limited to plagiarism, cheating, misrepresenting one's work, and forging documentation.

• Possible disciplinary sanctions may be imposed through the regular institutional procedures as a result of academic misconduct.

• The instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or "zero" for the exercise or assignment, or to assign an "F" for the course.

• Important Note: Be sure that you understand "unintentional plagiarism." Refer to MLA resources and to the MLA section of A Writer’s Reference. 

Grading Criteria: (Grading Sheets will be provided to give feedback on all written work.)

Grades on essays range from A to F. They are based on content, organization, and mechanics. Papers are graded according to the criteria below:

• The A paper shows originality of statement and observation. The writer’s ideas are clear, logical, and thought provoking. It contains these positive qualities:
  • Careful construction and organization of sentences and paragraphs.
  • Careful choice of diction and syntax (words and phrases).
  • Adequate development of ideas through use of specific, necessary details.
  • Freedom from grammatical/mechanical errors: no major errors; no more than 1-3 minor errors
• The B paper is fully and logically developed. It is comparatively free of error in the use of English (no major errors; few minor errors). Although it reads clearly, the B paper lacks the complexity of thought and style found in the A paper.
• The C paper shows an acceptable level of competency. It is fairly well organized, conveying its purpose to the reader. It lacks serious errors in the use of English (some minor errors, but no more than 1-2 major errors). It may, in fact have few or no corrections marked on it, but it lacks the effective thought and expression that would bring an above average rating.
• The grade of D indicates below-average achievement in effectiveness and a general lack of competency in the skill level required for the course. Most D papers contain several major errors in the use of English and fail to fulfill adequately the purpose of the paper. (IMPORTANT:  You may receive a grade of D on an essay, but the only grades given for the course are A, B, C, and F.)
• The grade of F indicates an abundance of serious errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. The following weaknesses characterize F-level writing:
  • Sentence fragments
  • Comma Splices
  • Run-on or fused sentences
  • Verb errors
  • Excessive errors in spelling
  • Subject/verb agreement errors
  • Serious errors in organization, development of ideas, and documentation (if required).

Grading Scale:  Refer to "How to Check Your Progress" to see how to keep up with the number of points you are accumulating throughout the semester. 

    900-1000 A

    800-900 B

    700-800 C

    below 700 F (No D given for the course)

    Assignments -

Attendance Policy:  Although we do not meet in a classroom on campus, you are "in attendance" when you work on the course. I will "count attendance" after the first week.  All students must e-mail me through NSOnline. If you do not check in with me, I will assume you are not "attending" and after the first two weeks, I will drop you from the class with a WF. I will also "count attendance" when you turn in assignment.  If I do not see that you are participating for two weeks, through Discussions, Quizzes, or Assignments,  I will assume you are "not attending" and will dismiss you from the course with a WF.

Late Work Policy:  Five points will be deducted each weekday that a written assignment is late. Late work will be accepted only for one week after due date.

Synthesis: 

One synthesis is due during this semester.  Refer to your text for readings on "Synthesis" and note that two lessons are devoted to "Synthesis."  Do not try to write a synthesis until you have used the resources provided.  The due date is listed on the Weekly Schedule. The synthesis must be typed, must be 2 pages in length and must conform to the requirements listed in this course description. All sources discussed in each synthesis must be documented according to MLA format.  This means that citations are required for paraphrases and direct quotes, and sources must be listed in a separate Works Cited page at the end of the assignment.

Research Paper:

One argumentative research paper is due during the semester.  Your research paper topic will come from one of the broad topics discussed in Chapters 8-14.  The paper’s due date is listed on the Weekly Schedule. The assignment must be typed, 1200-1500 words in length plus a Works Cited page, and it must conform to the course requirements listed in this course description. 

The research paper must be argumentative; that is, it must support a clear thesis statement that sets forth a certain position on a specific issue. You must include a minimum of 4 sources and a minimum of 4 in-text citations.  All sources discussed in the research paper must be documented according to MLA format and must be listed in a separate Works Cited page at the end of the assignment.

You must turn in the research paper in order to pass the course, regardless of how many points you have accumulated on other assignments.

Discussion: 

There are 10 discussion questions in the course.  You will use the Discussion board as an opportunity to interact with others in the class, simulating a classroom discussion.  Responses are due on Friday at noon.  Late responses will not be graded. 

Reading Quizzes: 

There are 5 quizzes over the reading material in the text.  Note on the Weekly Schedule the due dates for each quiz.

Midterm and Final:  

You will write an essay for each of these exams.  The exams will be taken in the Testing Center.  You will need your textbook because documentation is required for these essay exams. 

Each week you should –

You will be able to use NSOnline to check grades, communicate with other students in the class and with me, and send assignments through the "Assignments" feature.  As you continue to work through the "Getting Started" module, you will receive instructions for using the tools in NSOnline.

Students who are successful in this course have these traits in common:

 Good luck in the course.  I look forward to hearing from you!