Bellevue Community College

Spring Quarter 2004

 

English 201: The Research Paper

Item #1114, Sec: N, Credits: 5.0

Monday & Wednesday, 2:30 pm – 4:20 pm

Bldg/Room: R303

 

Instructor: Mr. Michael Warner

Message Phone: (425) 564 – 4185 ext. #1

BCC email: mwarner@bcc.ctc.edu

Office: R230-K

Office Hours: 9:30 am – 10:30 am (Mon, Wed, Thu, or by appointment)

 

I. Required Textbook:

Reading and Writing Short Arguments (4th ed.) by William Vesterman

 

II. Course Description:

 

This course emphasizes summary skills, analysis of sources, development of library research skills, and a lengthy investigation of a thesis in a research paper. Students critique various styles of argumentation. Prereq: ENGL 101 or COMM 141 with a C – or better; or entry code.

 

III. Course Outcomes/Objectives:

 

a.       Write a humanities-style research paper which includes as part of its composition or process:

 

ü      An objective summary of college-level material which identifies primary and supporting assertions.

ü      An evaluation of different types of evidence (i.e., tone/diction, logical reasoning).

ü      A synthesis of source material with own writing.

ü      An original and clearly supported thesis.

ü      Proper in-text citations and works cited page.

ü      A breadth of varied primary sources, which demonstrates a familiarity with library research skills.

 

IV. Course Assignments:

 

a.       Three out-of-class essays.

b.      One Humanities-style Research Paper

c.       In-class reading and writing assignments

d.      Homework: Reading and writing assignments to be done as homework.

 

V. Grading (Weights for the Course Assignments):

 

            1. Three out-of-class essays                                                      45%

            2. Humanities-style Research Paper                                          25%

            3. Attendance & Class Participation                                          10%

            4. In-class reading and writing assignments                                10%

            5. Homework: out-of-class reading & writing assignments         10%

 

Each of these areas will be given a numerical grade in accordance with the Bellevue Community College’s grading system below:

A         4.0 - 3.8           A-        3.7 – 3.4

B+       3.3 - 3.1           B          3.0 – 2.8          B-        2.7 – 2.4

C+       2.3 - 2.1           C         2.0 – 1.8          C-        1.7 – 1.4

D+       1.3 - 1.1           D         1.0 – 0.8          F          0.7 – 0.0

 

VI. English 201 Class Attendance Policies:

 

a.       I will keep a record of your attendance.

b.      I take attendance at the beginning of the class. If you arrive late, I may not mark you as having attended class. You should check with me after class to ensure I marked you present.

c.       Class Participation/Attendance is worth 10% of your overall grade. It is a combination grade of your participation in classroom discussions, activities and your attendance.

d.      The following is a breakout for the attendance portion of the English 102 Class Participation and Attendance grade:

 

Number of absences                             Grade

0 – 2                                        A, A-

3 – 4                                        B+, B

5 – 6                                        C+, C

7 – 8                                        D+, D

9 – 10                                      D-, F

 

VII. English 201 Class Policies:

 

a.       Please arrive to class on time, for we will begin promptly at 2:30 pm.

b.      Much of what we cover in class will be beneficial to meeting the course objectives, so attendance is important. If you can not attend a class, it is your responsibility to get the information from a fellow student or me.

c.       Plagiarized assignments will result in a failing grade for that assignment. Additional penalties such as failure of the course or expulsion from the college may also occur as appropriate.

d.      I will accept late papers. However, I will deduct from the numerical grade 0.1 per class period that the paper is late. If you do not submit a paper, you will receive a numerical grade of 0.0 for the assignment.

e.       If you need special accommodations because of a disability, or have emergency medical needs, or you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, see me as soon as possible.

 

VIII. Miscellaneous Notes:

 

a.       Please note that this syllabus is subject to change. I will notify you of any changes as soon as possible.

b.      If you have any questions, concerns, or problems about the course, instruction, assignments, or grades, please see me.

c.       If you have any questions regarding BCC’s student policies, please refer to the Student Procedures & Expectations section online. The web address is:

 

http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/artshum/studentinfo.html.