English

English 103—Composition and Elements of Argument (PDF Version)  
MC 448 Section 9 MWF 12:10 – 1 p.m. MC 448; Section 11 MWF 1:10 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Grant T. Smith, Ph.D.

Fall Semester, 2009

Office:  MC 533
Phone: 796-3485; E-mail: gtsmith@viterbo.edu 
Office hours: TR 10 a.m.–12:00 p.m. or by appointment

Required Texts: 

• The Sundance Writer: A Rhetoric, Reader, Handbook by Mark Connelly
• Easy Writer: A Pocket Reference by Andrea A. Lunsford

 Course Description: In this course we will explore six rhetorical strategies for composing an essay: narration, definition, classification, comparison and contrast, cause and effect, and persuasion. In the process of reading and writing, we will also develop critical thinking skills, critical reading skills, research skills, and writing skills that will help us become effective and successful college communicators.

Policies: 

• Click here for the university definitions of an excused and unexcused absence 
• Click here for the university policy on sexual harassment 
• Click here for the university policy on plagiarism 
• If you are a person with a disability and require any auxiliary aids, services or other accommodations for this class, please see Jane Eddy in Murphy Center Learning Center 332 (796-3194) within ten days to discuss your accommodation needs.  If there other accommodations that need to be made for you to succeed in the class, please indicate those needs to the instructor.  Click here for a link to the Learning Center.
• In the event of an infectious disease outbreak, university officials will monitor progress and work with local, state, and national authorities to determine the best course of action regarding institutional operations. Information related to any widespread infectious diseases outbreak will be available on Viterbo’s website and Viterbo Health Services website (http://www.viterbo.edu/HealthServices.aspx). In addition, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website has extensive information on health threats (http://www.cdc.gov). If you have specific questions about your personal health, please contact your medical provider or Health Services.

Core Abilities: 

• Thinking—Students engage in the critical and creative thinking
• Ethical Decision Making—Students respond to ethical issues
• Communication—Students communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Aesthetic Sensitivity—Students engage in artistic experiences and reflect critically upon them
• Cultural Sensitivity—Students demonstrate a respect for the diversity of the human experience
• Community Involvement—Students demonstrate responsible citizenship

Objectives: 

English 103 has specific goals, skills it aims to teach you through the work of the course. The goals are common to all sections of English 103.

Course Requirements: 

• Bi-weekly journal responses to the assigned readings.
• Three formal essays—one of which will be developed into a research paper.
• Class attendance and participation.
   

 Schedule: 

Week One: August 31
Diagnostic Writing Assignment
Critical Thinking
Sundance Writer, Chapter Four, “Critical Thinking: Seeing with a Writer’s Eye” 45
Sundance Writer, Chapter Thirteen, “Analyzing Visuals: Seeing with a ‘Writer’s Eye’” 177
Pigeon’s Egg Head
Calvin Klein

Week Two:  September 7
Critical Reading
Sundance Writer: “Becoming a Critical Reader: Reading with a ‘Writer’s Eye’” 251
“High School Low Down”
Journal Writing Assignment:  An important lesson from high school

 
Week Three:  September 14
Description
Sundance Writer: “Description: Presenting Impressions” 261
Sundance Writer:  “Unforgettable Miss Bessie” 292
Sundance Writer: “Prewriting Strategies: Getting Started” 60

Weeks Four and Five: September 21, 28
Narration and Process
Sundance Writer:  “Narration: Relating Events” 306
Sundance Writer:  “The Fender-Bender” 325; “A Doctor’s Dilemma” 334
Sundance Writer:  “Process: Explaining How Things Work and Giving Directions” 487
Sundance Writer:  “Developing a Thesis” 71
Sundance Writer:  “Supporting a Thesis” 80

 
Weeks Six and Seven: October 5, 12
 Example and Definition
Sundance Writer:  “Example: Presenting Illustrations” 358
Sundance Writer:  “Homeless: 373
Sundance Writer:  “Definitions: Establishing Meaning” 400; “Responding to IMAGES” 440
Sundance Writer:  “Dyslexia” 413
Sundance Writer:  “Organizing Ideas” 92
Sundance Writer:  “Developing Paragraphs” 112

Weeks Eight and Nine: October 19, 26
Comparison and Contrast and Cause and Effect
Sundance Writer:  “Comparison and Contrast: Indicating Similarities and Differences” 442
Sundance Writer:  “A Fable for Tomorrow” 467
Sundance Writer:  “Cause and Effect: Determining Reasons and Measuring Results” 591
Sundance Writer:  “Why Schools Don’t Educate” 612; “Black Men and Public Space” 622; “How Television Distorts Reality” 626
Sundance Writer:  “Writing the First Draft” 125 and “Revising and Rewriting” 142

Weeks Ten and Eleven: November 2, 9
Sundance Writer:  “Argument and Persuasion: Influencing Readers” 642
Sundance Writer:  “Hyphenated Americans” 667; “Still Hyphenated Americans” 670
Sundance Writer:  “Conducting Research” 743

Weeks Twelve and Thirteen: November 16, 23
Student Conferences

Weeks Fourteen and Fifteen: November 30, December 7
Sundance Writer:  “Editing and Proofreading” 159
In-class Workshops
Student Conferences

Week Sixteen:  December 14
Final Presentations