COLLEGE WRITING B (Online)

English 111, Research Writing

Abbreviated Syllabus

INSTRUCTOR

Professor Dennis Dirks

TEXTS

Language Awareness: Readings for College Writers, edited by Eschholz, Rosa, and Clark (LA)

A Writer's Reference, written by Diana Hacker

PREREQUISITE

A grade of "C-" or "Credit" or better in English 110

ACCESS TO INSTRUCTOR

Send email to the instructor at djdirks@earthlink.net

ORIENTATION

This is the second semester of the two-semester sequence of English 110 and English 111 in College Writing. In English 110 you developed skills in expository writing at the college level. In English 111 the plot thickens. Most college writing is research writing. This course will help you build skills in the art and science of doing academic research and doing academic research writing.

GOALS OF THIS COURSE

There is a "science" to academic research writing. Most college papers are written in one of two academic styles, which are called MLA and APA. This course's goal is to get you functional in both styles; that means there are some rules and procedures for you to learn. But take heart! Thousands of students before you have done it. It's like doing finger exercises as you learn to play the piano. Also, all of this is "open book" in nature. I don't require rote memorization of any rule. The goal here is functionality, not memorization.

There is also (obviously!) an "art" involved in writing. At first, you will feel stifled when you learn some of the rules of academic writing (write without contractions, write fresh prose without trite expressions, write inclusively without sexist expressions, write responsibly and without plagiarism, and so on). But as you develop your own "academic voice," writing in this style will become easier and more familiar. Academic writing also involves using and interpreting ideas and information that you've acquired from your resources, but how you analyze and how you interpret are at least as much of an art as a science. We'll talk about the meaning of what you learn.

Because this is a 100-level course, another goal is your mastery of grammar and punctuation. But again, take heart and know that the university provides writing coaches free of charge to all English 111 students. This service is provided every semester except the summer. These coaches are available to you both in person and online, and they help you with ESL issues, grammatical issues, and writing issues. If you would like the double benefit of writing coaches in addition to this course (the total effect is usually synergistic), be sure to take this course during the fall, winter, or spring semesters.

THE PROCESS OF THIS COURSE

This course assumes that online students are self-starters and want to be fully engaged in their own education. It also assumes that the students can read and learn from their textbooks and written materials provided by the instructor through Blackboard. It also assumes that students have easy access to a computer which can connect to Blackboard and that the students have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, which is the default word processor for this university. (Please note that Microsoft Works is not the same as Microsoft Word.)

This course is built on a series of five papers, each of which is to be written by the student and responded to by the instructor before the next paper is submitted. That way, each succeeding paper can build on learnings rather than repeat earlier mistakes! Additionally, a series of quizzes will help students review information, and class discussions (not in real time) will provide opportunities for thinking, writing, and interaction with the other students. One assignment asks students to help other students with their research, and two assignments ask students to share their learnings with their classmates. Both the midterm exam and the final exam come in two components: a component that reviews technical skills, and a component that involves reading and writing.

GRADING

Work for this course is graded on a system of points. The arithmetic for the final course grade will be determined in ten percent increments of total points available where 90%-100% will be considered the "A" range, 80%-89.99% as the "B" range, and so on. It takes a grade of C- or better to pass this course.

SYLLABUS

This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor's discretion.