Links

• Course Calendar
• Moodle

Course Description

WRT 160: Composition II explores methods of research and writing including the use of rhetorical strategies and synthesis of scholarly sources to create academic arguments. WRT 160 emphasizes processes of writing and revision with a focus on information literacy, critical thinking, and effective communication in diverse rhetorical contexts. A grade of 2.0 or higher must be achieved to satisfy the university general education requirement in the writing knowledge foundation area. 4 credits.

General Education Outcomes

• The writing knowledge foundation area prepares students to demonstrate:
  • knowledge of the elements, writing processes, and organizing strategies for creating analytical and expository prose
  • effective rhetorical strategies appropriate to the topic, audience, context, and purpose
• Cross-Cutting Capacities:
  • Critical Thinking
  • Effective Communication
  • Information Literacy

Specific Course Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• make connections with the broader community through activities related to civic and community engagement on and/or off campus
• demonstrate familiarity with basic rhetorical, ethical, and methodological conventions of academic disciplines (such as humanities, sciences, social sciences) to prepare them for further study in their chosen discipline
• demonstrate the ability to locate and analyze scholarly sources critically and synthesize them to produce various academic genres which include print, visual, digital, or oral elements

Course Objectives

In addition to reinforcing the outcomes from WRT 150: Composition I, WRT 160 will instill in students a basic understanding of:

• primary research methods (quantitative and qualitative) appropriate for academic scholarship
• secondary research strategies for locating and evaluating sources both through library databases and through external online databases appropriate for academic scholarship
• ethical considerations in academic scholarship, including responsibility to human subjects, non-biased use of language, fair and accurate use of sources, appropriate documentation, and larger rhetorical purposes of civic engagement
• stylistic conventions for integrating secondary and primary research to arrive at new knowledge in academic disciplines, including familiarity with APA format

Required Text

• Ostergaard, Lori, ed. Grizz Writes: A Guide to First-Year Writing at Oakland University. Third edition. Fountainhead Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-59871-857-7.
  

Course Policies

• Attendance. For absences not covered by the university policy, you are allowed two absences without penalty. This includes absences due to illness, car trouble, or schedule conflicts. Participation in online activities counts as class attendance. For each absence beyond those allowed, your final course grade will be lowered by 0.15. If you miss more than six class sessions, you will receive a final course grade of 0.0.
• Technology. Technology excuses are generally not viable in this class. You are responsible for practicing sound data management, thoroughly testing your work before and after submission, and taking all other reasonable precautions for putting up with technology.
• Communication. You are responsible for keeping up with your oakland.edu email account and regularly checking the class Moodle site for updates to the News Forum.
• Late work. Late work is not accepted.
• Email queries. I am always happy to answer your questions by email, but I reserve the right not respond to questions whose answers are readily available from the course webpage, on the Moodle site, in assignment descriptions, etc.
• Public use of your work. The grades you earn in WRT 160 are confidential. However, the texts you produce in this class may be shared with your classmates as a part of our regular peer review process. You should always assume that the work you compose in this class is public, not private.
• The writing center. The Oakland University writing center is open to OU students, faculty, and staff in all disciplines. The center offers consultants to help you develop your drafts during any stage of the writing process. Appointments may be scheduled online.
• Plagiarism. All work in this class must meet the standards of Oakland University's Academic Conduct Regulations.
• This syllabus. I reserve the right to revise this syllabus throughout the semester.

Assignments and Grading

There will be four major assignments in this class, listed below, which are due on the dates listed in the course calendar. You must complete all of these assignments to receive a passing grade.

I will give grades (0.0, 1.0–4.0) for all graded assignments in this class. The final grade is determined as follows:

ADA Notice

Students with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations should contact Oakland University’s Disability Support Services office for assistance:

• Phone: (248) 370-3266
• TTY: (248) 370-3268
• Fax: (248) 370-4989
• Email: doss@oakland.edu.