ENGL 1302: COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC II
Course Description:

Intensive study of and practice in the strategies and techniques for developing research-based expository and persuasive texts. Emphasis on effective and ethical rhetorical inquiry, including primary and secondary research methods; critical reading of verbal, visual, and multimedia texts; systematic evaluation, synthesis, and documentation of information sources; and critical thinking about evidence and conclusions.

By the end of the course the student will be able to:   

• Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative writing processes.
• Develop ideas and synthesize primary and secondary sources within focused academic arguments, including one or more research-based essays.
• Analyze, interpret, and evaluate a variety of texts for the ethical and logical uses of evidence.
• Write in a style that clearly communicates meaning, builds credibility, and inspires belief or action.
• Apply the conventions of style manuals for specific academic disciplines (e.g, APA, CMS, MLA).

Required Book:

Lunsford, Andrea A., John J. Ruszkiewicz, and Keith Walters. Everything’s an Argument with Readings.  7th edition. Bedford St. Martins,  2016. ISBN: 978-1-4576-9874-4

Optional Books:

Kelly, Joseph P. The Seagull Reader: Literature. 3rd ed. 3 volumes. Norton, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-393-93810-4.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. The class site will be opened the evening before the semester officially begins. Why not earlier? Because the class is designed to be completed within the official term dates, and because it is not fair if some students are able to start early while others are not.
2. Do we ever meet live? No. We do not. However the midterm and final exam will need to be completed in a testing center or using webcam proctoring.
3. Where is the class site? LSC-Online’s website is where the class site can be found. You will need to make sure, through Distance Learning, that you have the necessary User ID and password to access the site. That’s between you and them; as an instructor I have no control over that.
4. But what does the class consist of? There are three major writing assignments you will be submitting, ranging in length from three to six pages. There is also a written final essay exam.  The midterm exam is a typical multiple choice-type exam. You will also be expected to participate in online discussions as part of the whole class. Your work in the discussions constitute your participation grade for the class. There are open book quizzes on the course readings as well.
5. Do I have to read everything assigned? Yes. Everything. How can you expect to participate in discussions, pass the quizzes, and write effective essays if you don’t read the assignments?! If you choose to “get away with” reading only the bare minimum to complete assignments, you are only cheating yourself.
6. Is this the right class for me? Some students think that internet classes are easier. They certainly do allow for a good deal of scheduling flexibility which may help you fit the work in around family, work, or other school commitments.  However, like all distance courses, this class will require a lot of work and self-discipline. This class is designed for the highly-motivated student, one who reads carefully and follows directions, who is fluent in American English reading, spelling, and grammar, and who is already computer literate, as well as proficient in e-mail, bulletin boards, and the internet. You also must have reliable computer hardware and internet availability, as well as sufficient software of your own, including a current browser and word processor. I repeat, if you do not have daily personal access to a reliable computer and internet connection, this is NOT the course for you.

N.B.: There really is no opportunity in this course for “hand-holding” in an online course, and there is no expectation for the availability of face-to-face meetings between students and teacher. If you suspect that you are likely to need individual assistance with course content, writing assignments, or with technology/software, you should take the course through an on-campus section.  I’m not trying to scare anyone, but just to be realistic.

Based on all these things, I hope that this is the class for you. Thanks for your interest.

Sincerely,

Penny Piercy

Adjunct Professor of English, Lone Star College – Tomball