College of Humanities

This course develops the skills used in writing applied research papers for a university-level audience. Students will write position papers, persuasive essays, and case study analyses. Students will study classical rhetorical concepts of authority and the Toulmin method of argument analysis, and will evaluate outside sources for objectivity and utility in constructing persuasive arguments. Students practice giving peer feedback, revising essays in response to feedback, and writing collaboratively as Learning Teams. The course reviews the elements of grammar, mechanics, style, and proper documentation of outside sources.

Policies

Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents:

€¢ University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document.
€¢ Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum.

University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality.

Course Materials

Lamm, R., & Everett, J. (2007). Dynamic argument. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.

All electronic materials are available on the student website.

Week One: Argument Analysis and Persuasive Writing in Academic Writing
Details Due Points
Objectives 1.1 Explain how data is shaped by the genre or format of writing in which it is presented.
1.2 Describe how to organize the written material for maximum persuasive effect.
1.3 Apply organization and presentation principles to a persuasive essay.
Readings Read Ch. 1, 5, 6, & 7 of Dynamic Argument.
Read the following essays found in Dynamic Argument:

€¢ Ch. 17:

o The Market in Fear
o A World Becoming More Peaceful?
o Do We Fear the Right Things?

€¢ Ch. 19

o Bang, You’re Dead
o Parents Need Help
o Why Eminem is a Problem
o Why Eminem is Important

Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Read the Guidelines for Writing Academic Papers located on the student website.
Participation Participate in class discussion. Thursday
12/19/13 4
Learning Team Instructions Resource: Learning Team Toolkit
Complete the Learning Team Charter.
Prepare for the final Learning Team Assignment, by familiarizing yourself with the Collaboration and Argument Paper and Presentation Instructions located on the student website.

Note. This assignment is due in Week Five.
Individual
Critical Argument Analysis Essay Select a topic included in your weekly readings.

Analyze the outside research of at least three professional essays focused on the topic you have selected.

Prepare a 700- to 1,050-word critical argument analysis essay that focuses on three professional essays. Focus on how these authors construct their arguments using opinion and evidence.

Use two of the principles of organization and presentation to shape this critical persuasive argument analysis essay. Thursday
12/19/2013 5
Week Two: Principles of Authority and Argumentation in Academic Writing
Details Due Points
Objectives 2.1 Explain how classical rhetorical concepts of authority are used in published essays.
2.2 Analyze arguments contained in published essays using the Toulmin model of argument analysis.
2.3 Apply the concepts of authority and argument in academic essays and case study analyses.
Readings Read Ch. 2, 3, 10, & 11 of the text.
Read the following essays found in the text:

€¢ Ch. 16

o Reminders of Poverty, Soon Forgotten
o What the Waters Revealed

€¢ Ch. 18

o Our Full, Unequal World
o Environmentalism as Religion Run Amok
o Coping with Methuselah
o A.I. and the Return of the Krell Machine

Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Participation Participate in class discussion. Thursday
1/2/2014 4
Learning Team Charter Submit Learning Team charter Thursday
1/2/2014 1
Learning Team Instructions Begin examining research for the Collaboration and Argument Paper and Presentation.
Begin developing an annotated bibliography.
Prepare and Submit Outline of your Collaboration and Argument paper
Refer to the Collaboration and Argument Paper and Presentation Instructions, located on the student website, for detailed instructions on completing the annotated bibliography due in Week Four. Thursday
1/2/2014 10
Individual
Classical Principles of Argument Paper Select one of the Week Two assigned reading essays above.

Analyze how the author you chose used classical principles of argument and how the principles relate to authority and each other.

Prepare a 700- to 1,050-word paper analyzing how an author used the classical principles of argumentation€”ethos, pathos, and logos€”in his or her essay, and how these principles relate to authority in a chosen essay.

Support your claims about the essay with specific examples. Thursday
1/2/2014 10
Week Three: Supporting Evidence in Academic Writing
Details Due Points
Objectives 3.1 Evaluate the relevance, reliability, and objectivity of sources.
3.2 Identify characteristics of effective support sources.
3.3 Demonstrate the ability to support ideas with appropriate evidence.
Readings Read Ch. 8 & 9 of the text.
Read the following essays found in the text.

€¢ Ch. 17

o Do Immigrants Benefit America?
o Total Amnesty for Illegal Aliens?
o Globalized Religions for a Globalized World

€¢ Ch. 19

o Shop ’til We Drop?
o Hungry for More: Reengaging Religious Teachings on Consumption

Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Participation Participate in class discussion. Thursday
1/9/2014 4
Learning Team Instructions Resource: Collaboration and Argument Paper and Presentation Instructions
Prepare and Submit: Annotated Outline

Prepare rough draft of the team Collaboration and Argument Paper, and Presentation.
Continue working on the annotated bibliography due in Week Four. Thursday
1/9/2014 7
Individual
Persuasive Research Paper Annotated Outline Resource: Persuasive Research Paper: Annotated Outline
Prepare and Submit: Annotated Outline of Persuasive Research Paper.

Begin: Writing Draft version of Persuasive Research Paper
Thursday
1/9/2014 7

 

 

 

 

 
Week Four: Integration of Various Writers in Academic Writing
Details Due Points
Objectives 4.1 Demonstrate effective peer-editing methods.
4.2 Transform written material into an effective visual and oral presentation.
Readings Read Ch. 4 of the text.
Read the following essays found in the text:

€¢ Ch. 15

o Use the Body’s Repair Kit’
o Remarks by Ron Reagan to the 2004 Democratic National Convention

€¢ Ch. 16

o Hate-Speech Codes That Will Pass Constitutional Muster
o Is It Time to Retire Politically Correct’?
o Why Gay Marriage Doesn’t Measure Up
o Mother Land

Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Participation Participate in class discussion. Thursday
1/16/2014 4
Learning Team Instructions Prepare to submit the Collaboration and Argument paper and deliver the presentation due in Week Five.
Individual
Persuasive Research Paper: Review Resource: Persuasive Research Paper: Review €“ In Class Writing Session

Bring Draft Version of Paper to Class: In Class Writing Session

Suggest revisions that improve the content, organization, development, and mechanics of the paper, paying special attention to the strength of the argument.

Return your comments to the individual whose paper you are reviewing.

Use Persuasive Research Paper: Peer Review document located on the student website. Thursday
1/16/2014 5
Learning Team
Collaboration and Argument: Annotated Bibliography Submit the annotated bibliography.

Bring Annotated Bibliography to Class

In Class Writing Session Thursday
1/16/2014 5
Week Five: Writing Mechanics in Academic Writing
Details Due Points
Objectives 5.1 Apply the rules of English sentence structure, punctuation, grammar, style, and usage in written documents.
5.2 Apply the rules consistent with APA style to written research papers.
Readings Read Ch. 14 of the text.
Read the following essays found in the text :

€¢ Ch. 15

o The Luck Factor
o Obesity: Epidemic or Myth?
o A Global Epidemic in the Making?

€¢ Ch. 16

o The Scientist’s Pursuit of Happiness

€¢ Ch. 19

o Focusing on Body Image Dissatisfaction

Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings.
Participation Participate in class discussion. Thursday
1/23/2014 4
Individual
Persuasive Research Paper Submit the final draft of the Persuasive Research Paper.
Refer to Persuasive Research Paper Instructions located on the student website. Thursday
1/23/2014 15
Learning Team
Collaboration and Argument Paper and Presentation Resource: Collaboration and Argument Paper and Presentation Instructions

Refer to the Collaboration and Argument Paper and Presentation Instructions located on the student website for details of the assignment.

Prepare a 2,100- to 2,450-word collaboration and argument research paper analyzing the relationship between collaboration and argument.

Include at least six peer-reviewed outside sources.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Prepare an 8- to 10-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation, which summarizes the Collaboration and Argument paper.

Include at least four peer-reviewed outside sources. All outside sources should be cited consistent with APA guidelines.

Present your Collaboration and Argument Presentation.

€¢ These are oral presentations accompanied by Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations. Thursday
1/23/2014 15

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