Syllabus for a second-semester college composition course with an emphasis on argument
This syllabus for Challenging Perspectives is based on one designed by Marjorie Justice of
Governors State University.
Governors State University
College of Arts and Sciences
English 400: Advanced Composition
Fall 2004
Marjorie Justice
English Program
Office Hours: By Appointment
Description: Advanced Composition is a course in critical reading, critical thinking, research,
and writing. Tackling this enterprise we will 1) study composition techniques, rhetorical
principles, and questions of usage; 2) analyze many types of professional writing; 3) practice
writing and rewriting to acquire a habit of literate expression; and 4) share work and respond
helpfully to the work of others.
Rationale/Outcomes: It is the goal of this course that the student will gain a better sense of his
or her own personal style of writing for a variety of rhetorical situations as well as an
understanding of the conventions of research writing. Through the discussion of individual
writing goals, multiple writing tasks, and critical interaction over readings and original work, we
will work to enhance students’ written skills.
Text: Deborah H. Holdstein, Challenging Perspectives: Reading Critically about Ethics and
Values. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin, 2005.
Requirements
Reading: Since many discussions will come from our textbook readings, keeping up with the
weekly assignments will be essential to your success in the course.
Presentation: Take 7 -10 minutes to present what you learned during your research project. You
can be as creative as you would like to be. Consider those 10 minutes your opportunity to teach
the class in any way you see fit. Fun, right?!?
Writing: Four papers, in-class assignments, reading responses, and written peer reviews are
required for this course.
Essay 1: Editorial
Essay 2: Argument (Part 1)
Essay 3: Analysis
Essay 4: Argument (Part 2)
Participation: Attendance is mandatory. Absences beyond two will result in a lower final
course grade. It is essential that you are present for peer evaluation to contribute your comments.
Be sure to read all assignments and be prepared for classroom discussion! Your in-class writings
and reading responses will also factor into your Participation grade.
Performance Evaluation
Paper 1
Paper 2
Paper 3
Paper 4
Presentation:
Participation
20%
N/G
20%
30%
10%
20%
Scale
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
below 60
A
B
C
D
F
Essay 1: Editorial. (2-3 pages) Write a 2-3 page opinion piece on a timely issue based on one that
you’ve read about—or that is suggested in—Challenging Perspectives.. You should have a clear
thesis statement, strong tone, and well-supported points. Sources are not necessary. Focus on
developing and supporting your opinion. What are some potential topics? Banning smoking, cell
phone usage, educational issues…the topic is up to you!
Essay 2: Argument - Part 1 (3-5 pages) Argue a position on a topic of your choice. Please avoid
the following topics: abortion, death penalty, euthanasia, gun control, and legalizing marijuana.
Select a topic that you can research, again basing your choice on a selection or image in
Challenging Perspectives and using the questions at the end of the selection(s) and the
chapter(s). Look at these different selections with an open mind. You will want to consider
different viewpoints on this topic but advocate one position through the use of rhetorical appeals
and thorough research. Include at least two sources using proper MLA citations and a Works
Cited page.
Essay 3: Analysis (3-5 pages) Using another of the selections and/or images in Challenging
Perspectives, analyze a persuasive essay, article, image, speech, or letter. Explain how the writer
uses rhetorical appeals to sway his or her audience. Does the writer consider counter-arguments?
If so, how does he or she handle the counter-arguments? Point out any holes you find in the
writer’s argument. Finally, explain why the text is persuasive or not persuasive. Be specific.
Please identify the piece you analyze along with your essay.
Essay 4: Argument - Part 2 (9-10 pages) Extend Essay 2 into a longer research paper. In this
version, include at least six sources. One of your sources should be a primary one. We will
discuss primary sources later in the trimester.
Submitting Essays: Please submit all essays in a folder. You must include the rough draft, peer
editing responses, and final draft.
Revision Policy: After I return your graded essay, you will have one week to revise. The revised
grade will replace your original grade. Please submit the original graded essay along with the
revision.
Course Calendar
September
07
Course Introduction. In-class Writing.
14
Discuss prewriting techniques, essay structure, grammar and sample editorials.
21
Read Rosin, “Separation Anxiety: The Movement to Save Marriage,” pp.728ff, and
answer the questions at the end of the selection. Peer Edit Editorial.
28
Read Rauch, “The Case for Gay (or Straight) Marriage..”, pp. 735ff. Answer questions at
the end of the selection and consult the end-of-chapter questions. Discuss MLA style.
Editorial Due.
October
05
Analyze “Cheathouse.com home page (420); Shister, “NBC Has its Eye on New Reality
Series” (308ff); and “Real Beauts” (614), responding to the questions at the end of each
selection. Group project: Write/perform an infomercial using rhetorical appeals.
12
Discuss research paper topics. Read Ravitch, “Thin Gruel” (616); Edwards, “Sinners in
the Hands of an Angry God” (644); Grudin, “Ideology and Moral Philology” (677),
answering questions at the end of each selection. Peer Edit Research I.
19
Class Debate. Writing self-assessment. Research I Due.
26
Read Harrington, “The Other America” (341); Wright, “The Man Who Went to Chicago”
(365); Gayles, “Interracial Relationships” (396). Answer chapter and selection
questions. Discuss Primary versus Secondary Research. In-Class Interviews.
November
02
Persuasive Writing Exercise. Peer Edit Analysis Essay.
09
Read Collins, “Scorpion Tongues” (529); Wenig, “Oops! I Shouldn’t Say This…” (544);
Kaplan, “Machiavellian Virtue” (590). Reply to discussion questions at the end of the
selection(s) and chapter. Discuss Style. Descriptive Writing Exercise. Analysis Essay
Due.
16
Analyze two end-of-chapter images of your choice, responding to the questions at the end
of each. Be prepared to discuss these in class.
23
In-class Writing Exercise based on Tennyson, “Ulysses,” (674).
30
Read Bellow, “In Praise of Nepotism” (798); Menand, “The Thin Envelope” (92). Peer
Edit Argument Part II.
December
07
Presentations. Argument Part II Due.
14
Presentations. Final revisions due December 20th by 5:00 (put it my mailbox in the
English Office – E wing).
Note: Assignments and dates may change. If you miss a class, please send me an email.