COURSE DESCRIPTION

English Composition I is an introductory course in expository writing that emphasizes the importance of purpose and audience awareness in writing. While completing the work of the course, students will practice the processes that build proficiency in academic and business writing and gain confidence and competence in writing situations.

COURSE TOPICS

The writing process and purpose
Language, conventions, and communication
Collaborative writing and revising
Universal and particular audiences
Critical discourse and composition
Research writing
Using technology to communicate

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, you should be able to:

CO 1 Describe the role of the writing process in producing well-organized, clear, and coherent writing, including the role of editing and revision.

CO 2 Recognize the importance of rhetorical situations.

CO 3 Adapt writing to context, purpose, and audience.

CO 4 Articulate a clear and concise thesis statement supported by sufficient details and examples that reinforce focus.

CO 5 Employ the conventions of Standard Edited American English including proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

CO 6 Create written and auditory content that makes use of appropriate technology.

CO 7 Compose focused body paragraphs with sufficient and appropriate details and evidence that follow an academic structure.

CO 8 Employ proper use of quotations, paraphrasing, and accurate Modern Language Association (MLA) or American Psychological Association (APA) documentation through responsible use of resources.

COURSE MATERIALS

You will need the following materials to complete your coursework. Some course materials may be free, open source, or available from other providers. You can access free or open-source materials by clicking the links provided below or in the module details documents. To purchase course materials, please visit the University's textbook supplier.

Required Textbooks

Jeffrey, R. (2015). About writing: A guide. Open Oregon.
Kepka, J. (2015). Oregon writes: Open writing text. Open Oregon.

Additional Open Resource

Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)

Note: You are encouraged to utilize the free Smarthinking tutoring option (found on the course home page under Research Resources). You are also encouraged to obtain a NJ State library card to access database material.

COURSE STRUCTURE

English Composition I is a three-credit, online course consisting of six modules. Modules include an overview, topics, learning objectives, study materials, and activities. Module titles are listed below.

Module 1: Defining a Writer and the Writing Process
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 2, CO 5
Module 2: Audience and Its Role in the Writing Process
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 2, CO 5, CO 6
Module 3: Topic Selection and Proposal
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 1, CO 2, CO 3, CO 5
Module 4: Thesis Construction
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 3, CO 4, CO 5, CO 8
Module 5: Academic Integrity and Source Assessment
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 3, CO 5, CO 6, CO 8
Module 6: Paragraph Construction and Organization
Course objectives covered in this module: CO 2, CO 3, CO 4, CO 5, CO 7, CO 8

ASSESSMENT METHODS

For your formal work in the course, you are required to participate in online workshop discussion forums, complete written assignments, and complete a three-part final project. See below for details.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Promoting Originality

One or more of your course activities may utilize a tool designed to promote original work and evaluate your submissions for plagiarism. More information about this tool is available in About SafeAssign.

Workshop Discussion Forums

You are required to complete seven workshop discussion forums. The workshop discussions are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. Each of the workshop discussions are designed to assist you and improve your writing skills throughout the course. For additional information about workshop discussions, be sure to reference this Workshop Document.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Written Assignments

You are required to complete five written assignments. The written assignments are on a variety of topics associated with the course modules. Each written assignment is designed to assist you when preparing for the final project. For specific details about the written assignments, consult the individual course modules.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

Final Project

The three-part final project provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate various written skills learned throughout the course using a variety of communication modalities. The final project consists of the following three-parts:

Argumentative Research Paper
PowerPoint Presentation
Letter or Brief Video

Throughout the duration of the course, you will participate in workshop discussions and submit assignments that assist you in building the skills necessary to complete this project. Be sure to reference the Final Project section of the course website for full instructions and requirements.

Consult the Course Calendar for due dates.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

Your grade in the course will be determined as follows:

Workshop discussions (7)—25%
Written assignments (5)—30%
Final project (3 parts)— 45%

Part 1 (Argumentative Research Paper)—25%
Part 2 (PowerPoint Presentation)—10%
Part 3 (Letter or Brief Video)—10%

All activities will receive a numerical grade of 0–100. You will receive a score of 0 for any work not submitted. Your final grade in the course will be a letter grade. Letter grade equivalents for numerical grades are as follows:

A	=	93–100	B	=	83–87
A–	=	90–92	C	=	73–82
B+	=	88–89	F	=	Below 73

To receive credit for the course, you must earn a letter grade of C or higher on the weighted average of all assigned course work (e.g., assignments, discussion postings, projects). Graduate students must maintain a B average overall to remain in good academic standing.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

First Steps to Success

To succeed in this course, take the following first steps:

Read carefully the entire Syllabus, making sure that all aspects of the course are clear to you and that you have all the materials required for the course.
Take time to read the entire Online Student Handbook. The Handbook answers many questions about how to proceed through the course, and how to get the most from your educational experience at Thomas Edison State University.
Familiarize yourself with the learning management systems environment—how to navigate it and what the various course areas contain. If you know what to expect as you navigate the course, you can better pace yourself and complete the work on time.
If you are not familiar with web-based learning be sure to review the processes for posting responses online and submitting assignments before class begins.

Study Tips

Consider the following study tips for success:

To stay on track throughout the course, begin each week by consulting the Course Calendar. The Course Calendar provides an overview of the course and indicates due dates for submitting assignments, posting discussions, and submitting the final project.
Check Announcements regularly for new course information.

ACADEMIC POLICIES

To ensure success in all your academic endeavors and coursework at Thomas Edison State University, familiarize yourself with all administrative and academic policies including those related to academic integrity, course late submissions, course extensions, and grading policies.

For more, see: