NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
English Composition: Writing, Speaking, Thinking I (3-0-3)
HUM101 104 (prototype)
Mark Arnowitz
Faculty Memorial Hall 307
Office Location: 4th Floor Cullimore, Room 429
Phone(s): 973-596-6439 office
973-495-0936 cell
arnowitz@njit.edu, mark.arnowitz@yahoo.com
Course Description
This course focuses on developing written and oral communication skills that students will use
within and beyond NJIT. It emphasizes acquiring the skills necessary for writing expository and
research essays; preparing oral reports; drafting, revising, editing; evaluation and proper
documentation of source material; and using rhetorical strategies such as narration and
argument. Students will learn to communicate with a variety of audiences in personal,
academic, and professional settings.
Prerequisite
Permission of the Humanities Department required. Entrance is determined by placement score
or completion of Hum 099 with a grade of C or better.
Required Follow-up Course: HUM102
Assigned Course Texts
Required Reading: Wind, Sand, and Stars, by Antoine Saint-Exupery, available now in the
bookstore
Recommended Handbook: I suggest that you purchase a handbook for college writing to be
used for both HUM101 and HUM102:
Diana Hacker. A Pocket Style Manual, $26
http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/Catalog/product/pocketstylemanualwith2009mlaand
2010apaupdates-fifthedition-hacker, or
The Little Seagull Handbook, by Richard Bullock and Fancine Weinberg, W.W. Norton and Company,
ISBN 978-0-393-91151-0
Description of this course
Students will produce essays in a variety of rhetorical modes (such as argumentation or
exposition) and genres (such as autobiography or creative non-fiction) using writing to explore
ideas, observations and experiences. Student will share their writing with their peers, receive
feedback on drafts, and revise as they progress through process-driven writing. This course may
be organized either thematically or rhetorically.
Course Objectives
To enable the student to:
a) Understand fundamental standards of college writing
b) Develop expository essays exhibiting a coherent structure and, as appropriate,
integrating research
c) Discuss, revise, and edit multiple drafts of an essay
d) Utilize feedback from instructors and classmates to develop their writing and their
writing process
e) Use writing-to-learn strategies (such as journals, writing logs, brainstorming) to develop
their understanding of course content and to think critically about that content
f) Understand and consider the importance of audience
Student Learning Outcomes
By completion of this course, students will:
a) Demonstrate fundamental standards of college writing
b) Develop expository essays exhibiting a coherent structure and, as appropriate,
integrating research
c) Develop revision and editing skills to be applied to multiple drafts of their essays
d) Apply feedback from instructors and classmates to develop their writing and their
writing process
e) Developing writing-to-learn strategies (such as brainstorming, free-writing, and reading
logs) to develop their understanding of course content and to think critically about that
content
f) Identify effective writing strategies to address a variety of audiences
Plagiarism
If you intentionally plagiarize, you will receive an F on your paper and you will fail the course.
Plagiarism is a serious academic offence that is not taken lightly. When you use other sources
or materials that are not yours, you need to make sure that you give proper credit to the author
by citing his/her work. If you have any questions about plagiarism, you can make an
appointment with me or visit the Writing Center to make sure that you are citing correctly and
thus avoid any unintentional plagiarism.
Class Participation and Attendance
Attendance and participation are essential to the success of any class and any student’s
personal achievement. Assignments should be completed before the corresponding class
meetings and I expect you to come to class prepared to share, discuss, and reflect on what you
have learned. Please also do not hesitate to ask questions whenever you do not understand
something that has been assigned, the writing process can sometimes be difficult and there is
no reason to be embarrassed if you are struggling with something.
You should try not to miss any classes because it can cause the quality of your writing to suffer.
However, if you must miss a class, it is imperative that you keep up with your writing
assignments and find out what you missed during the class meeting since it will have an impact
on your future assignments. In addition, after three absences, you can expect your final grade
to be lowered. If you have more than six unexcused absences-you will, in all probability, fail the
course.
Course Requirements
A portfolio submission of all written work (50%), a mid-term examination (20%), weekly writing
and journaling assignments (15%), and active participation as well as regular attendance to all
classes (15%).
Research Roadmap: Information Literacy: See professor for schedule
Academic Integrity
Each student in HUM 101 is required to sign the Honor Code Agreement. The URL for University
Code on Academic Integrity: http://integrity.njit.edu
Attendance and Participation
All students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled classes. See the NJIT attendance
policy for complete information: http://www.njit.edu/registrar/policies/attendancepolicy.php
Class Schedule
January 28
Morning Pages and Journaling
Writer’s Workshop: 6-word masterpieces, autobiography
Reader’s Workshop: Introduction to our text, reading and writing…
Laptop: A tour of Moodle: Research Roadmaps, blogs, and more…
Homework: Writing Assignment
February 4
Morning Pages, Journaling, Note-taking
Writer’s Workshop: “A week in the Life”, with storyboard
Reader’s Workshop: First paragraphs, first sentences, formatting
February 11
Writer’s Workshop: Peer Review: Grammar, Punctuation, Word Choice, formatting
Reader’s Workshop:
February 18
Writer’s Workshop: Writing Task
Reader’s Workshop: Author’s Study, other work by the writer
February 25
Writer’s Workshop:
Reader’s Workshop: An introduction to research
March 4
Writer’s Workshop:
Reader’s Workshop:
Assignment: Artist’s Date
March 11
Writer’s Workshop: Mid-Term Assessment: Short Essay
Reader’s Workshop:
March 18
Spring Break
March 25
Writer’s Workshop: Essay: Author’s Study
Reader’s Workshop:
April 1
Writer’s Workshop:
Reader’s Workshop:
April 8
Writer’s Workshop: Primary Research Assignment: The Artist’s Date
Reader’s Workshop:
April 15
Writer’s Workshop:
Reader’s Workshop:
April 22
Writer’s Workshop: Essay: Contemporary Genre
Reader’s Workshop:
April 29
Writer’s Workshop: Portfolio Review
May 6
Portfolios Due