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Composition 3160: Advanced Writing for Social Sciences  
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Syllabus and Course Schedule

 

Materials Required:

  • Hansen, K. (2007). Writing in the social sciences: a rhetoric with readings (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Publishing.
  • Suggested text:  Perrin, R. (2007).  Pocket guide to APA style (2nd  ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.  Not in bookstore.

Course Objectives:

Composition 3160 is a writing course designed to prepare you to function effectively in a world where readers generally expect you to control Edited Standard Written English.  Basic communication skills are not enough if you wish to secure, hold, and advance in a job.  This course does not assume you have a great deal of experience as a writer, but it does assume two other things:

  1)   that you are willing to learn, and  

2)   that you are interested enough in your career to realize the importance of strong oral and written communication skills. 

  During this term you will accomplish the following objectives:  

  • ·    You will learn advanced methods of writing in a variety of formats.

  • ·    You will learn that the process of writing, extensive editing, and careful rewriting enables the writer to gain a detailed knowledge of both subject and audience, and that this is the only way to produce professional texts.

  • ·    You will review and strengthen your grasp of basic grammar concepts, understanding the critical role this can play in how other people view your professionalism and abilities.

  • ·    You will produce professional documents that you will be proud to display in a portfolio as an example of your writing expertise.


Class Policies:  

Note: I am willing to discuss these policies at any time, but if you feel you cannot meet them, you would probably be wise to find an alternative way to fulfill your senior writing requirement.

  1)         Attendance at all class sessions is mandatory.  After two absences, you will lose two (2) points off your final grade for each additional absence.

  2)         Additionally, you will be counted absent if you do not have a rough draft for peer review.

  3)         Failure to write any paper means failing the course.

  4)         Late assignments will be docked 10% of their possible value per class day.  Think of yourself as a professional with your job on the line!

  5)         Two points (or 20%) of every paper are editing points.  For this reason, you should proofread carefully before handing in any assignment.

  6)         Papers may be rewritten to correct major errors; however, it is more difficult to gain points from a revision than to do it correctly the first time.  Always consult with me first before attempting to do a revision, so I can give you specific guidelines.

  7)         Your final grade will be determined as follows:

Assignment
Points
Your Total Points
1. Revised Journal Article
10
  
2. Questions 1-7 on page 40
5
  
3. Email Assignment
5
  
4. Observational Study
10
  
5. Prospectus for Research Report.
10
  
6. Annotated Bibliography.
5
  
7. Research Report
15
  
8. Oral Report
10
  
9. Technical Object Description
10
  
10. Resume and cover letter.
10
  
11. Position Paper (final take-home exam).
10
  
Total Points
100
100

 

Procrastination leads not to inspiration, but desperation

  Special Needs: If you have a disability that may affect your performance in this class, please inform me at the start of the semester.  Methods, materials, or testing will be adapted as required for equitable participation           

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

 

This schedule is designed to help you plan activities and assignments.  We will adhere to it as closely as possible, but it is likely there will be changes as the term progresses.  Any changes will be announced in class (another excellent reason not to be absent--if you are absent you are still responsible for any changes made to this schedule!). 

 

Assigned readings and assignments due are in bold.

 

 

WEEK

 

 

MAIN TOPIC/READING DUE

 

ASSIGNMENT DUE

 

 

     1

 

 

 

Introduction to the class

Understanding Writing presentation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diagnostic Grammar/Punctuation

 

 

 

 

 

     2

 

 

Hansen 1: Rhetoric and the Social Sciences

Hansen 2: The Individual and Social…;

 

·         write out questions 1-7 on page 40-41.

 

·         Revised Journal Article Assigned                 

 

Questions on p. 40-41

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hansen 3: Research Methods…;

Go over Revising Journal Scenerios

 

 

 

 

 

     3

 

 

Hansen 4: Interpreting Documents.

APA documentation Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·         Email instruction and assignment

 

 

 

 

 

     4

 

 

 

Peer Review Journal Article

Writing Sentences lecture with exercises

 

Peer Review

 

 

 

    

 

 

Hansen 6: Observing.

·         Observational Study Assigned

 

Journal Article

 

 

     5

 

 

 

Hansen 10: Proposals and Prospectuses (pages 147-149 and 163-178).

·         Prospectus and Annotated Bibliography assigned

·         Research Paper assigned

Email

 

 

 

 

 

Hansen 9: Researching in the Library

Library instruction/Meet in Library 116

 

Meet in Library 116

 

 

 

 

     6

 

 

Observational Study Group Work

(Office hours only)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hansen 11: Research Papers (pages 181-191)

 

 

 

 

     7

 

 

Hansen 11: Research Papers (pages 191-205 and 218-220)

Title Page; Table of Contents; Abstract instruction with group work

Paraphrasing and in-class exercise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hansen 16: Basic Principles of Document…

Hansen pages 462-476

Prospectus and Annotated Bibliography Peer Review

 

Peer Review: Bring two copies if you are working with a partner

 

 

     8

 

 

 

Hansen 17: Graphics

Bring Textbook to class

 

Prospectus

 

 

 

 

 

Hansen 12: Public Position Papers

·         Position Paper assigned as final take-home examination

Bring Textbook to class

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Break       March 12-16

 

 

 

   9

 

 

 

Hansen 18: Oral Presentations.

·         Oral Presentation Assigned

Argument/Persuasion techniques and worksheet

 

 

 

 

 

Hansen pages 477-497

Observational Study Group Work

Office hours only

 

 

  10

 

 

Hansen 14: Resumes

Resume Presentation

 

Observational Study

 

 

 

 

Resume Presentation

 

 

 

  11

 

 

 

Technical Object Description in-class exercise:  You must be present both days to receive credit

 

Bring a laptop to class/one per group

 

 

 

 

Technical Object Description in-class exercise:  You must be present both days to receive credit

 

 

 

 

 

  12

 

 

 

Research Paper Peer Review

Peer Review/Bring two copies if you have a partner

 

 

 

 

 

Oral Presentations

Research Paper

 

 

  13

 

 

Oral Presentations

 

 

 

 

 

Oral Presentations

 

 

 

  14

 

 

 

Oral Presentations

 

Resume/Cover Letter

Peer Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oral Presentations

 

Resume/Cover Letter

 

 

  15

 

 

 

Oral Presentations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oral Presentations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINAL EXAMS WEEK

Document to be deposited

 

 

Take Home Final Exam: Position Paper

 

Your final grade will be turned in during finals week.  You can check it on-line shortly thereafter.  Have a great break!!