COURSE SYLLABUS

Course: Report Writing
Department and number: English 99
Credit: 3 units
Course prerequisites: none
Semester: Fall 2009 --Thursdays, 12:30-1:45, 2:00-3:15, 16 weeks (see schedule below)
Instructor: Dr. Sylvia Y. Schoemaker Rippel
Email: sysr@lincolnuca.edu
Course-related email for the semester: profsr20@gmail.com
Office hours and location: T, Th 11:45-12:30 and by arrangement, room 307
Office phone: 510-628-8036

Instructional Materials and References

Required Texts:

Text One:
Book Title: Handbook for College Research
Author: Perrin, Robert
Edition: 3
Copyright Year: 2005
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Publisher Location: Boston, MA
ISBN: 0-618=49959-8

Textbook site: http://college.cengage.com/english/perrin/handbook/3e/students/index.html

Text Two:
Book Title (include subtitle): Navigating America -- Information Competency and Research for the Twenty-First Century
Author(s) / Contributor(s): Moton, David and Gloria Dumler
Edition: 1
Copyright Year: 2010
Publisher: McGraw Hill
Publisher Location: New York
ISBN: 978-0-07-338370-5

Textbook site: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073383708/student_view0/index.html

Description
ENG 99 - REPORT WRITING
The course instructs the student in the various forms of written reports. Students prepare informational and analytic reports. Computer tools and programs, as well as Internet resources, will be used as relevant. (3 units)

Course Objectives

• Expansion of academic and professional report writing skills.
• Development of research and documentation skills.
• Ability to write reports for specific purposes.
• Ability to employ various rhetorical modes as required for specific subjects and purposes.

Assignments Overview
Students will complete the following: individual and group research assignments in selected information media areas, including presentation of research findings to the class and as part of online sharing through ePortfolios/blogs/wikis
For each of the units (as well as additional assignments given in class), students will do the following:Read assigned materials with care and understanding,

• Reflect on the weekly assignments in keeping an electronic learning journal, addressing primary content and points of personal interest,
• Create a personalized, three-level map for each week’s assignment using the open source program Freemind (available in the computer lab and downloadable fromhttp://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
• Email your assignments to me at profsr20@gmail.com,
• Blog work for sharing and presentations.

Note: The maps for your blog need to be in .graphic (.png or .jpg) format and you will need to save the native Freemind (.mm) format for submitting your work to me by email.
Assignments are due as indicated in the schedule below. Additions/revisions to the schedule will be announced in class as needed. Class attendance is mandatory for content, interactions, and presentations. Researched materials must be documented using a consistent style for both in-text and end-text citations of sources using the text guidelines for the selected style.

SCHEDULE
Reading Assignments -- College Research Handbook (CRH)

1	Subject to Topic	1. Moving from Subject to Topic: Where Research Begins 1a Choose a general subject 1b Narrow your general subject to a specific topic 1c Work with assigned subjects, when appropriate
2	Thesis Statement	2. Planning Thesis Statements and Stated Objectives 2a Write a working thesis statement, when appropriate 2b State your objectives, when appropriate
3	Research Goals and Source Evaluation	3.Defining Research Goals and Evaluating Sources 3a Acknowledge the goals of your research 3b Consider the kinds of sources you need 3c Consider the currentness of your sources 3d Consider the availability of your sources
4	Library Use	4.Learning about Your Library 4a Locate the circulation area 4b Explore the reference area 4c Familiarize yourself with the catalog area 4d Explore the stacks 4e Familiarize yourself with the current periodicals area 4f Locate the government documents area 4g Explore the microform area 4h Find the media area 4i Browse in the new-book area 4j Find the preshelving areas 4k Locate the library's computer clusters 4l Search out the special collections 4m Locate any special libraries 4n Find the interlibrary loan department 4o Locate the reserve area 4p Find the photocopy areas 4q Locate the group study rooms
5	Online Research	5.Learning to Use Online Catalogs and Periodical Databases 5a Remember what all online catalogs have in common 5b Learn to locate and interpret information on search screens 5c Consider the benefits of online periodical databases 5d Consider what all comprehensive periodical databases have in common 5e Learn to locate and interpret information on search screens
6	Field and AV SourcesResearch	6.Conducting Field Research and Using Audiovisual Sources 6a Consider experts from radio and television 6b Consider local experts 6c Consider responses from informed nonspecialists 6d Prepare thoroughly for interviews 6e Plan questionnaires and surveys carefully 6f Consider audiovisual sources
7	Internet Sources	7.Using the Internet and Other Electronic Sources 7a Explore a variety of Internet search engines 7b Learn to interpret Internet search results 7c Consider the kinds of Internet sources available 7d Learn how to find information on home pages 7e Use Web sites judiciously 7f Consider discussion (or interest) groups 7g Consider CD-ROM sources 7h Be aware of special concerns about using electronic sources
8	Proposal	8.Evaluating Sources and Writing a Research Proposal 8a Compile a preliminary list of sources 8b Evaluate print sources 8c Evaluate audiovisual sources 8d Evaluate Internet sources 8e Evaluate your combinations of sources 8f Prepare a research proposal
9	Critical Analsis	9.Thinking Critically 9a Think critically, analyzing alternative methods of development 9b Analyze your audience 9c Evaluate evidence 9d Avoid logical fallacies
10	Note Taking	10.Taking Notes from Sources 10a Consider alternative techniques for taking notes 10b Take complete, consistent, accurate notes 10c Take different kinds of notes, depending on the material 10d Consider the issues of common knowledge 10e Recognize the seriousness of plagiarism
11	Paper Planning	11.Planning the Paper 11a Review your research 11b Revise the working thesis statement or objective 11c Develop an informal outline 11d Group your notes to follow your outline 11e Prepare a formal outline, when needed
12	Drafting	12.Writing the Draft of the Paper 12a Remember general strategies for drafting papers 12b Consider strategies that apply principally to drafting research papers 12c Incorporate notes in the paper 12d Use parenthetical notes to document research 12e Plan your title and your introductory and concluding paragraphs
13	Revising	13.Revising the Paper 13a Reconsider content 13b Rework style 13c Eliminate technical errors 13d Solicit responses from other readers
14	MLA (Modern Language Association) Style	14.Using MLA Style When Appropriate 14a Prepare complete citations for the works-cited page 14b Follow the appropriate citation forms for books and other separately published material 14c Follow the appropriate citation forms for periodicals 14d Follow the appropriate citation forms for audiovisual sources 14e Follow the appropriate citation forms for the Internet and other electronic sources 14f When appropriate, follow MLA guidelines to prepare your manuscript
	APA (American Psychological Association) Style	15.Using APA Style When Appropriate 15a Recognize the distinct documentation patterns of APA style 15b Consider patterns for in-text citations 15c Prepare complete entries for the reference list 15d Follow the appropriate reference-list entry forms for periodicals 15e Follow the appropriate reference-list entry forms for books and other separately published materials 15f Follow the appropriate reference-list entry forms for audiovisual sources 15g Follow the appropriate reference-list entry forms for electronic sources 15h When appropriate, follow APA guidelines to prepare your manuscript
15	Chicago Style (Turabian)	16.Using Chicago Style When Appropriate 16a Recognize the distinct documentation patterns in Chicago style 16b Consider patterns for footnotes and endnotes 16c Follow the appropriate note forms for books and other separately published materials 16d Follow the appropriate note forms for periodicals 16e Follow the appropriate note forms for audiovisual sources 16f Follow the appropriate note forms for electronic sources 16g When required, prepare a bibliography 16h When appropriate, follow Chicago guidelines to prepare your manuscript
	CBE (Council of Biology Editors) Style	17.Using CBE Style When Appropriate 17a Recognize the distinct documentation patterns of CBE style 17b Consider patterns for in-text documentation 17c Complete citations for the reference page 17d Follow the appropriate citation forms for books and other separately published materials 17e Follow the appropriate citation forms for periodicals and audiovisual sources 17f When appropriate, follow CBE guidelines to prepare your manuscript Appendix A Document Design and Manuscript Preparation Basic Printing Features Visual Elements MLA Manuscript Guidelines Appendix B Abbreviations and Shortened Forms of Publishers' Names Modern Language Association (MLA) University of Chicago (Chicago) Council of Biology Editors (CBE) Appendix C Glossary of Computer Terms

Navigating America -- Part One, Handbook (Reference)

Week 1	1) Finding a Topic
	Understanding the Assignment
	Prewriting
	Developing a Working Thesis
Week 2	2) Conducting Traditional Academic Research
	Navigating the Library
	Library Catalog Searches
	Online Periodical Databases
	Government Publications
	The Internet
	Interviews, Surveys, and Field Research
Week 3	3) Conducting Other Types of Research
	The World Wide Web
	Print Media and News
	Television, Radio, and Broadcast News
Week 4	4) Evaluating Sources and Reading Critically
	Types of Sources
	Popular vs. Scholarly: How to Tell the Difference
	Evaluating an Author
	Evaluating a Periodical
	Evaluating a Book
	Evaluating an Online Source
	Evaluating Content
	Active Reading
	Finding Main Ideas
	Annotating a Text
	SASE
	Double-Column Note Taking
	The Rhetorical Précis
Week 5	5) Understanding Argument and Persuasion
	Inductive and Deductive Arguments
	Approaches to Argument and Persuasion
	Ethos, Logos, and Pathos
	The Toulmin Method
	The Rogerian Argument
	Logical Fallacies
Week 6	6) Navigating the Writing Process
	Learning Styles
	The Writing Process
	Prewriting
	Researching and Note Taking
	Outline
	Drafting
	Revising and Editing
	Revision Checklist
	Editing Checklist
	Know Thyself
Week 7	7) Organizing the Essay
	Introductions
	The Body of the Essay
	Conclusions
	Visual Paper Structure
	Rhetorical Modes of Writing
Week 8	8) Integrating Sources into Writing
	Summary, Synthesis, and Critical Thought
	Presenting Information: Summaries, Paraphrases, and Direct Quotations
	How to Incorporate Sources into Your Papers
	Introducing Your Sources
	Analyzing and Interpreting Information from Sources
Week 9	9) Understanding and Avoiding Plagiarism
	Types of Plagiarism
	Avoiding Plagiarism
	Common Knowledge Exceptions
Week 10	10) Improving Style, Punctuation, and Grammar
	Punctuation Pattern Sheet
	Twenty-Five Common Punctuation and Grammar Errors to Avoid
	Recognizing Independent Clauses
	Punctuating Independent Clauses
	Common Conjunctions
	Recognizing and Punctuating Dependent Clauses and Phrases
	Punctuating Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Elements
	Using Commas
	Using Semicolons
	Using Colons
	Using Apostrophes
	Using Quotation Marks
	Using Dashes
	Using End Punctuation
	Using Hyphens
	Using Ellipsis Marks
	Using Parentheses and Brackets
	Using the Slash
	Making Subjects and Verbs Agree
	Using Correct Verb Tenses
	Understanding Pronouns
	Suggestions for Improving Writing Style
	Web Address For Exercises
	Section 2: Handbook for Documentation
Week 11	11) Formatting the MLA Style Paper
	MLA Document Guidelines
	Sample Student Paper
Week 12	12) Creating MLA Style Parenthetical Citations
	When You Should Use Parenthetical Citations
	Placement of Parenthetical Citations
	Directory of Sample Parenthetical Citations
Week 13	13) Preparing the MLA List of Works Cited
	Directory of Sample Works Cited Entries
	Arrangement of Entries on the Works Cited Page
	Works-Cited Entries for Books, Works in Books, and Plays
	Periodical Print Publications
	Works Cited Entries for Works from Reference Databases
	Works Cited Entries for Internet Sources
	Works Cited Entries for Other Sources
	Annotated Bibliographies
Week 14	14) Using APA Style
	Formatting the APA Style Paper
	Creating APA Style Parenthetical Citations
	Preparing the List of References
	Sample Student Paper
	Section 3: Anthology of Readings

Navigating America, Part Two -- Anthology of Information Contexts

Weeks	I Television	I Television (7)	16) Television
1,2	I Television and	Popular Culture	1. Matthew Henry -- The Triumph of Popular Culture: Situation Comedy, Postmodernism, and The Simpsons.
1,2	I Television and	Reality TV	2. Richard Huff. Real or Not, It Doesn't Matter.
1,2	I Television and	New Tech and TV	3. Frank Rose. The Fast-Forward, On-Demand, Network-Smashing Future of Television.
1,2	I Television and	TV and Politics	4. Lynn Spigel. Entertainment Wars: Television Culture After 9/11.
1,2	I Television and	A Casebook on 24:	5. Tom Regan. Does '24' Encourage US Interrogators to 'Torture' Detainees?
1,2	I Television and	A Casebook on 24:	6. Rick Moran. Stranger than Fiction: Does 24 Inspire Real Life Torture?
1,2	I Television and	A Casebook on 24:	7. Anne-Marie Cusac. Watching Torture in Prime Time.
3,4	II Film	II Film (6)	17) Film
3,4	II Film and	Art	1. Jonah Goldberg, Chris Weinkopf, Brandon Bosworth, Josh Larsen, Cristopher Rapp, Jonathan Last, and Terry Teachout. Are Movies Art?
3,4	II Film and	Politics	2. Mark Holcomb. To Kill A Mockingbird.
3,4	II Film and	Society	3. Burt Helm. The Godfather Goes Interactive.
3,4	II Film and	Youth	4. Jacqueline Bach. From Nerds to Napoleons: Thwarting Archetypical Expectation in High School Films.
3,4	II Film and	Youth	5. Sharyn Pearce. Sex and the Cinema: What American Pie Teaches the Young.
3,4	II Film and	Myth	6. Kyle Bishop. Raising the Dead: Unearthing the Nonliterary Origins of Zombie Cinema.
5,6	III Internet	III Internet (9)	18) The Internet
5,6	III Internet and	Economics	1. Kevin Kelly. Network Economicsâfrom Out of Control: The Biology of Machines, social Systems, and the Economic World.
5,6	III Internet and	Society	2. Susan Keith and Michelle Martin. Cyber-Bullying: Creating a Culture of Respect in a Cyber World.
5,6	III Internet and	Convergence	3. Christian Christensen. You Tube: The Evolution of Media?
5,6	III Internet and	Education	4. Scott Carlson. Can Grand Theft Auto Inspire Professors?
5,6	III Internet and	Research	5. Noam Cohen. A History Department Bans Citing Wikipedia as a Research Source.
5,6	III Internet and	Society	6. Nicholas Carr. The Amorality of Web 2.0
5,6	III Internet and	Education -- Virtual Reality	7. Grace Wong. Educators Explore Second Life Online.
5,6	III Internet and	Education -- Virtual Reality	8. Khue Pham. Second Life Just Like the First.
5,6	III Internet and	Society and Law	9. Ellen Nakashima Harsh Words Die Hard on the Web: Law Students Feel Lasting Effects of Anonymous Attacks."
7,8	IV Advertising	IV Advertising (6)	19) Advertising
7,8	IV Advertising and	Branding	1. Naomi Klein. New Branded World from No Logo: Taking Aim at the Brand Bulllies
7,8	IV Advertising and	History	2. David H. Freedman. The Future of Advertising is Here.
7,8	IV Advertising and	Sponsorship	3. James B Twitchell. But First a Word from our Sponsors.
7,8	IV Advertising and	Education	4. Russ Baker and Kimberly Smith. “Stealth TV: Channel One Delivers News and Advertising to the Classroom.
7,8	IV Advertising and	Education	5. Manning, Steven. Students for Sale – How Corporations Are Buying Their Way into America's Classrooms
7,8	IV Advertising and	Heallth	6. David Crary. Group Wants Shrek off Anti-Obesity Campaign and Barbara F. Meltz, Fighting Obesity but Fronting for Junk Food.
9,10	V Media Multinationals	V Media Multinationals (6)	20) Media Multinationals
9,10	V Media Multinationals and	Politics	1. Robert McChesney. From: Corporate Media and the Threat to Democracy.
9,10	V Media Multinationals and	Society	2. Bill Moyers. Address to the Third National Conference on Media Reform.
9,10	V Media Multinationals and	Culture	3. Ben Bagdikian. Grand Theft: The Conglomeratization of Media and the Degradation of Culture: (25 Years Of Monitoring The Multinationals).
9,10	V Media Multinationals and	Innovatio	4. Edie G. Lush. Rupert Murdoch's Cool New Thing (MySpace.com).
9,10	V Media Multinationals and	Regulation	5. Johnathan Adalstein. Statement of Commissioner Jonathan S. Adalstein.
9,10	V Multimedia and	Regulation	6. Michael Copps. Remarks of Commissioner Michael J. Copps: FCC Hearing on Media Ownership: Los Angeles, California, October 3, 2006.
11,12	VI News Media	VI News Media	21) News Media
11,12	VI News Media and	Fox	1. David Bauder. War Takes up Less Time on Fox News.
11,12	VI News Media and	Coverage	2. Associated Press. We Ignored Paris Hilton. And John Rogers, US Weekly Blacks out Hilton Coverage
11,12	VI News Media and	Coverage	3. Thomas Ginsberg, Rediscovering the World: 9/11 Showed all Too Clearly What a Terrible Mistake it was for America's News Media to Largely Ignore Foreign News.
11,12	VI News Media and	Coverage	4. Rachel Smolkin. What the Mainstream Media Can Learn from Jon Stewart.
11,12	VI News Media and	Coverage	5. Edward Murrow. Address to RTDNA(Radio-Television News Directors Association)
11,12	VI News Media and	Coverage	6. Andrew Heyward. Address at RTDNA Awards Dinner.
13, 14, 15	VII Corporate America	VII Corporate America	22) Corporate America
13, 14, 15	VII Corporate America and	Fast Food Industry	1. Schlosser, Eric. The Most Dangerous Job, From Fast Food Nation.
13, 14, 15	VII Corporate America and	History	2. Kalle Lasn,The Unofficial History of America from Culture Jam
13, 14, 15	VII Corporate America and	Ethics	3. Joel Bakan, Business as Usual from The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power.
13, 14, 15	VII Corporate America and	Ethics	4. John DeGraff, David Wann, and Thomas Naylor, Industrial Diarrhea from Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic.
13, 14, 15	VII Corporate America and	Fast Food Industry	5. Michelle Simon, Junk Food's Health Crusade: How Ronald McDonald Became a Health Ambassador, and Other Stories.
13, 14, 15	VII Corporate America and	Ethics	6. WalMartWatch.com, Bottom Line: What are the True Costs of WalMart's Low Prices?
13, 14, 15	VII Corporate America and	Ethics	7. WalMartFacts.com, Wal-Mart Sets the Record Straight.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA & METHOD OF EVALUATING STUDENTS
Students will demonstrate their level of proficiency and achievement through appropriate and accurate application of report writing and research theory and skills. Assessments of improved competence in report writing formulation, research, documentation, and presentation as well as personal and peer evaluations and reflections are fundamental to the grades attained.

Grading Guidelines

Class Participation	15%
Quizzes, midterm	20%
Projects	15%
ePortfolios/Blogs/Wikis	20%
Presentations	10%
Final Exam	20%
Total	100%

100-95	A
94-90	A-
89-87	B+
86-84	B
83-80	B-
79-77	C+
76-74	C
73-70	C-
69-67	D+
66-64	D
63-60	D-
59 or <	F