Course
Texas A&M - Cenatral Texas
ENGL 330-110
Advanced Composition
Fall 2014
ONLINE
Instructor
Geoffrey Stacks, Ph.D.

The best way to get in touch with me is to use the "Messages" tool. You can also email me ().
Course Description
ENGK 330 is an advanced composition course designed to enhance proficiency in critical reading and thinking and in expository writing. The course will use analysis of a variety of texts and critical approaches to provide both practice and models for essay writing strategies, structure, and research methods.
Course Objectives
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to

  • Demonstrate close reading skills and analyze a variety of texts
  • Evaluate research as it makes and supports academic arguments
  • Introduce coherent arguments in writing through strong thesis statements
  • Develop clear and consistent academic paragraph structure and essay organization
  • Present a thorough review of the scholarship and literature about an academic subject
  • Prepare and produce a documented academic essay (conference paper) on a defined topic using primary and secondary sources

Required Texts
There is no required text to buy, but I will provide readings on Blackboard throughout the semester.

Course Requirements/Suggestions

  • Throughout the semester, please check our course on Blackboard often. There, you will find the schedule, the readings, the discussions, and the assignments.
  • Before you turn any writing in to me, please take a few minutes and carefully read “Handouts about Writing and Picky Stuff” (which you’ll find under the “Handouts” menu item on Blackboard.) This contains all the guidelines and rules that I care about for writing in this class.
  • This class is writing and reading intensive. Please read the assigned material carefully and closely. And, as always, feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
  • The best way to email me (and/or your fellow students) is to use the “Messages” tool on Blackboard.
  • Please write all of your assignments on Microsoft Word (or compatible software) then attach the file to a message you send me using Blackboard “Messages.” Please do not send “.pdf” files or “.pages” files. I will then type comments into your assignment and send it back to you using Blackboard Messages.

Grade

  • Response Papers (20% of final grade)
    You will be asked to write several response papers throughout the semester (especially in the beginning half). These will usually be between one and two pages long. They should be written, like everything else, using a formal voice and appropriate spelling/grammar/punctuation.
  • Annotated Bibliography (15% of final grade)
    In preparation for your final research project, you will be asked to write an annotated bibliography that summarizes and critiques sources you have found.
  • Essay 1 (15% of final grade)
    Essay 1 will ask students to make a very focused argument employing academic paragraph structure and using textual evidence to support its claims and analysis.
  • Essay 2 (20% of final grade)
    Essay 2 (1000-1500 words) will ask students to put forth and sustain a thesis-based claim about a specific topic by employing academic paragraph structure and using textual evidence to support its claims and analysis.
  • Essay 3 (30% of final grade)
    The Documented Conference Paper (2500 words) will ask students to develop a thesis-based argument about a topic within each student’s particular discipline. This formal conference-length paper will demonstrate clear academic essay and paragraph structure, use textual evidence to support its claims and analysis of the topic, and incorporate multiple secondary scholarly sources.

Grading Standards and Expectations
Along with the students’ adherence to the assigned prompt and engagement with course concepts and themes, the essays assigned in this course will be assessed and graded by the following standards:
C indicates a satisfactory performance. A C paper demonstrates positive qualities and avoids serious errors. The positive qualities include the presentation of a central idea that is adequately developed and competently organized. The errors to be avoided include serious flaws in the construction of paragraphs and sentences, in the selection of appropriate words, and in the use of conventional written English. The style of the writing is generally clear.

TheBpaper surpasses the C paper by demonstrating a higher level of effectiveness in the organization and development of a central idea. The B paper shows greater complexity of thought and development, while sustaining clarity in expression. It has few or none of the common errors in the use of conventional written English. The style of the writing is generally fluent and polished.

TheApaper is outstanding work. It is clearly a superior performance according to the criteria of clarity of expression and logical development of a central idea. It shows originality of thought and imaginative competence in the development of the material. It engages and holds the reader’s attention and invites rereading. The style of the writing is consistently fluent, polished, and distinctive.

Dindicates an unsatisfactory performance. A D paper is flawed by any one or several of the following: weakness in establishing or developing a central idea; serious errors in sentence or paragraph construction; serious errors in grammar, spelling, or the mechanics of written expression.

Findicates an unacceptable performance. An F paper is flawed by one or more of the following: failure to follow the assigned topic; failure to conceive, state, or develop a central idea; serious repeated errors in sentence construction or paragraph development; serious repeated errors in grammar, spelling, or the mechanics of written expression.
In addition to these general guidelines, I will assess your writing on the following criteria:

I will be looking for solid thesis statements that clearly articulate and put forth the central argument of your essay. In order for a thesis statement to be strong, its stated intention must be sustained throughout a paper. I will constantly ask: How does each statement/paragraph/example in your paper relate to the central idea of your thesis?

Beyond cohesion of this central thesis throughout your paper, I will be paying close attention to how well you transition between different paragraphs/claims/examples. This is essentially the structure and flow of your paper. Ideally, the reader should not wonder how any one of your statements relates to another. Consider the appropriate use of topic sentences, supporting points, illustrations and examples as evidence, and sufficient explanation and analysis of the evidence and scholarship provided as it relates to your thesis.

Technology Requirements
For this course, you will need reliable and frequent access to a computer and to the Internet.
Blackboard supports the most common operating systems. For technological or computer issues, students should contact the TAMU-CT Blackboard Support Services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
Support Portal:
Online chat (through the support portal at:
Phone: (855)-661-7965

Note: Technology issues are not an excuse for missing a course requirement. Please make sure your computer is configured correctly and address issues well in advance of deadlines.

Course Calendar
Please see the “Schedule” link on Blackboard for a detailed schedule of assignments and due dates.
THIS SYLLABUS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE DESCRETION OF THE INSTRUCTOR
Late-work/Make-up Policy
Late work WILL NOT exist in this course. Assignments that fail to be submitted in the prescribed manner by the time specified when the assignment is given will not be accepted. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Drop Policy
If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must go to the Records Office and ask for the necessary paperwork. Professors cannot drop students; this is always the responsibility of the student. The record’s office will provide a deadline for which the form must be returned, completed and signed. Return the signed form to the records office, wait 24 hours, go into Duck Trax and confirm that you are no longer enrolled. If you are still enrolled, FOLLOW-UP with the records office immediately. You are to attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid penalty for absence. Should you miss the deadline or fail to follow the procedure, you will receive an F in the course.
Academic Integrity
Texas A&M University - Central Texas expects all students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Students guilty of academic dishonestly are subject to disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials. The faculty member is responsible for initiating action for each case of academic dishonestly. More information can be found at
Depending on the severity of a student’s act of academic dishonesty, a student found to have committed any of the above infractions will receive nothing less than a zero on the assignment on which the infraction occurred and nothing more than expulsion from the university. A minor infraction includes but is not limited to improper citations or allusions to a source never cited. A major infraction includes but is not limited to the undocumented lifting of a phrase from a source that finds its inspiration some place other than the student.
Disability Support Services
If you have or believe you have a disability, may wish to self-identify. You can do so by providing documentation to the Academic Support Programs Coordinator. Students are encouraged to seek information about accommodations to help assure success in this class. Please contact Ryan Thompson at (254) 519-5796 or Main Building Room 114. Additional information can be found at