Student outcomes: At the end of this course you should be able to

Assessment

q      read a variety of materials critically to

o        identify a thesis

o        summarize important points

o        analyze main ideas

Responsive writing assignments throughout the course

q      participate effectively in a variety of settings by

o        working productively with others

o        contributing constructively to class discussion

o        thinking for yourself in oral presentations or debates

o        displaying openness to other viewpoints

During class activities, particularly discussions and group projects

q      write papers that

o        develop a thesis that governs the organization of the paper

o        present coherent and logical claims

o        are well organized with clear links between claims and support

o        are well developed with sufficient and relevant evidence

o        use standard American English correctly

o        make stylistic choices in persona, syntax, and diction

o        gauge the needs of and address a specific audience

In-class writings and Section Papers

q      prepare an extended research paper that

o        develops a position that is signaled in the thesis statement

o        presents coherent and logical claims

o        is well organized with clear links between claims and support

o        is well developed with sufficient and relevant evidence

o        uses standard American English correctly

o        makes stylistic choices in persona, syntax, and diction

o        gauges the needs of and addresses a specific audience

o        shows evidence of ability to evaluate sources for reliability, credibility, and authority

o        synthesizes and integrates sources

o        credits sources appropriately and correctly

Research Paper

q      present ideas and research in organized and engaging oral  presentations that

o        express a thesis clearly

o        are well organized and developed

o        conform to time constraints

o        make stylistic choices in persona, syntax, and diction

o        gauge the needs of and address a specific audience

o        show evidence of ability to evaluate and incorporate sources for reliability, credibility, and authority

Group presentations and culminating oral presentation of research.

q      display mental habits that show evidence of

o        questioning

o        analysis

o        synthesis

o        beliefs based on evidence

o        and ethical behavior in the academic community

Discussion, spontaneous in-class writing, papers, and presentations.

q      assess your growth as a thinker and writer this semester using the criteria above:

o        read a variety of materials critically

o        participate effectively in a variety of settings

o        write papers

o        prepare an extended research paper

o        present ideas and research in an organized and engaging oral presentation

o        display specific mental habits

Final Paper