English 201: The Research Paper

Item #1196, Sec: B, Credits: 5.0

Monday – Thursday, 9:30 AM – 11:20 AM

Bldg/Room: R101

Instructor: Michael Warner

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

BCC email: mwarner@bcc.ctc.edu

Office: R230-K

Office Hours: By appointment only

I. Text: Reading and Writing Short Arguments (4^th 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. Assignments:

a. Two out-of-class essays.

b. One (Short) Humanities-Style Research Paper.

c. Several short reading and/or writing quizzes (based on assigned reading).

d. Reading and writing assignments done in class or as homework.

V. Grading (Weights for the assignments):

1. Two out-of-class essays 40%

2. One Humanities-Style Research Paper 35%

3. Reading Quizzes, Homework, and In-Class Writing assignments 15%

4. Class Participation and Attendance 10%

VII. English 102 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.

III. English 201 Class Policies:

a. Please arrive on time, as the class will begin promptly at 9:30 AM.

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. Eating and drinking in class are fine (within reason) as long as you clean up your mess.

f. 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.

IX. Miscellaneous Notes:

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