Loyola University.  John Felice Centre.  Rome

Spring Semester 2016

University Core Writing Seminar: UCWR 110 Writing Responsibly.

Instructor: Andrew Rutt

Meeting: TBA

Office Hours:   After class, or by appointment.

Email:   arutt@luc.edu

Plato is my friend, but truth is a better friend  (Amicus Plato, sed magis amica veritas). Aristotle

Course Description:

Human knowledge grows with an engagement in debate over what may be considered "true," "real," or "right".   UCWR 110 Writing Responsibly aims to engage the course participants in critical thinking and debate so as to further develop their capacity of crafting a written argument and which will constitute their contribution to the aforementioned debate.    The more each student is able to improve their engagement, the better will be their ability to think critically, reason effectively, make choices reasonably, and weigh the evidence in the work of others productively.  This will consequently lead to much better ability to ‘Write Responsibly’. 

Professor Statement:

In an enriching multicultural classroom environment, I am committed to working with my students’ strengths and values and see the classroom as a platform where understanding and knowledge exchange can be facilitated.  My three Rs - Reading, Reflection,Writing - prepare my students for the challenges of academic study and for the evolving world in which their voice matters. Using English for Academic Purposes teaching material complemented by TED talks, academic journals and classic literature,   I adopt a supportive approach to addressing important social, political and cultural issues in English which my students find engaging and renders their learning experience authentic and constructive.

UCWR 110 Writing Responsibly Course Content: 
-thesis development; 
-critical reading; 
-organizing and outlining;
-paraphrasing and summarizing; 
-citation and documentation standards. 
-library use and other research facilities/resources. 

In addition to regular in-and out-of-class reading and writing assignments,  course participants are required to write a fully documented research paper.

Learning Outcomes: 
Who am I?  Who am I writing for? What do I want to achieve?
During UCWR 110 Writing Responsibly we will work on four main aspects: 

1. Focus on organization.
This includes paragraph unity and development, logical progression of ideas, and the effectiveness of the introduction and conclusion. If necessary, a review of the writing process  (pre-writing, planning, writing, editing and proof reading) will be covered. 

2. Evaluation of content.    
This includes the further development of clarity and coherence of their paper's thesis.  The strength and appropriateness of supporting details, and the depth of the student’s insight into the topic. 

3. Consistent Style 
This is communicated through tone and word choice, as well as varied sentence structures and vocabulary to maintain interest. Clarity of diction and syntax is essential. The tone should be consistent and appropriate. 

4.  Attention to mechanics
Grammar, punctuation, spelling, and correct application of appropriate conventions are all fundamental.

Grades and Grading

Worksheets                                                 20%

In-Class Essays                                           20%

Topic proposal                                           10%

Annotated Bibliography                              20%

Preliminary outline                                     Mandatory (not graded) *

First Draft                                                  Mandatory (not graded) *

Final Paper                                                  30%

Worksheets: Late, unprinted, or emailed worksheets will not be accepted. Late submission of any of the above will affect your grade.

Writing Assignments: Late take-home assignments must be turned in at the earliest opportunity (first class student is in attendance) and will receive a maximum grade of C (75%). After that, they will no longer be accepted.

Email can be used as a time-stamp for submission, but a hard copy must be presented at the earliest opportunity.

Missing Assignments

Missing take-home assignment will receive a grade of “F” and will weight 0% in averages.

Missing In-Class essays will receive a grade of “F” and will weigh “55%” in averages

Failure to turn in the final paper will result in a failing grade for the class. Attendance Requirement

Students with more than three unexcused absences will fail the course.

Academic Honesty

Students are responsible for all work they submit for evaluation. This includes proper acknowledgment of all sources used or consulted in completing the assignment. Student work should be original and intellectually honest. Thus, the inclusion in your assignment of any ideas or portions of text that you “borrow” from another source without proper attribution constitute plagiarism. I will report students engaging in academic dishonesty to the Dean’s office and award an F (zero points) to the relevant assignment. As a rule, I notify the Dean before I inform the student. Possible consequences include failing the class and/or suspension from Loyola University.

‘Writing Responsibly’ (UCWR 110) Course Schedule