AUST Rhetoric I Course Outline – Fall 2019 - 2020

AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND TRANSLATION
ENG 201—COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC I
Fall 2019 - 2020
______________________________________________________________________
INSTRUCTOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION
OFFICE: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT—BLOCK A, 5th floor

Instructors e-mail Office Hours

Badih Chemali bchemali@aust.edu.lb TTh 12:30-1:30
Nanée Tcheurekjian ntcheurekjian@aust.edu.lb T,Th 3:30-4:30
M,W 12:30-1:30
Samar Barakat sbarakat@aust.edu.lb M,W 3:00-3:30
Rula Bakhsh rbakhash@aust.edu.lb M,W 5:30-6:30
Sawsan Farhat sfarhat@aust.edu.lb T,Th 4:00-5:00
Afif Khalil (Zahle) akhalil@aust.edu.lb M,W 12:00-1:00
T,Th 1:00-2:00
Mariam Bakr (Sidon) mkhalil@aust.edu.lb T,Th 6:30-7:00

COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course, students learn critical thinking and become more capable of
analyzing logically. They are exposed to themes from different domains, which allow them to do more thinking
and to answer open-ended questions that require creativity and in-depth analysis. They also write essays about
different issues and learn how to use references until they prepare their own research papers, which reflect their
thinking, analytical, and writing capacity.

COURSE OBJECTIVE: At the end of the semester, students should be critical thinkers who analyze texts
whatever discipline they belong to, edit essays and write a research paper. They should be able to debate issues
and explain their views orally as well as in written responses or essays.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
When the semester ends, students will be able to:
 Identify a thesis in written compositions that are research based.
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AUST Rhetoric I Course Outline – Fall 2019 - 2020

 Generate a thesis and plan of organization.

 Compose an effective piece of writing.
 Employ the writing process beginning with prewriting, drafting, revising, editing and
publishing.
 Write essays that are coherent and unified, well developed and audience-centered.
 Evaluate, revise, edit, proofread, and improve compositions through a drafting
process.
 Use references professionally and avoid plagiarism.
 Revise essays and correct grammatical errors.

Assessment Methods to Consider

Essays
Reading Analysis
Quizzes
Exams
Debates/Discussions
Project

Assessment Plan and Grading Criteria

Attendance (ATT) 5%
Class Participation (CP) 5%
Homework(HW) 10%
Class Quizzes(CQ) 10%
Class Exams 30%
Exam I (EX I) 15 %
Exam II (EX II) 15 %
Exam III (EX III) 15 % (The lowest grade is dropped.)
Final Examination (FIN) 25 %
Project/Term Paper (PRJ) 15 %
(5 marks are deducted for each absence.)

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS

 Lawrence Zwier and Maggie Vosters University Success (Reading) Pearson

 Charl Norloff and Amy Renehan University Success (Writing) Pearson
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AUST Rhetoric I Course Outline – Fall 2019 - 2020

 My Grammar Lab Advanced (online)

EXPECTATIONS
Students are expected to participate in class, give their opinions, ask questions, and seek help whenever they
encounter any difficulty. The approach followed in class is not teacher-centered and depends mostly on
students who should be ready prior to any lecture when an assignment has been given or when a new chapter is
to be explained. They are expected to predict the content and participate while the teacher is presenting the
objectives of the lesson.

POLICIES
 Attendance is mandatory.
 Punctuality is a value, and respecting class time is also a must.
 Absences should be validly justified in order to be excused by the dean of students.
 Students who have two absences sign a first warning. Four absences and above entail signing a final
warning.
 Students who exceed the number of absences and do not answer phone calls to justify their absences
will be given an AW (Academic Withdrawal).
 Examination dates should be respected, and examinations should not be missed because no make-up
exams are given.
 Assignments should be prepared diligently and handed in on time.
 Plagiarism is not condoned and results in a failing grade on the assigned work.
 Decent attire and appropriate behavior in class are expected from all students in order to maintain a
professional learning atmosphere.
 Refreshments are not allowed inside the classroom.
 Cellular phones are not to be used in class.

Weekly Plan
Week Textbook + Readings Assessment Method

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AUST Rhetoric I Course Outline – Fall 2019 - 2020

1 -Introduction to course
Diagnostic Writing
My Grammar Lab
Chapter 3 Prepositions p. 46-59
2 University Success: Reading
Skill: Active reading p.4-14 Standardized Exam 1
(Oct 16/17)
My Grammar Lab
Chapter 3 Prepositions p. 46-59

3 University Success: Writing

Skill: Writing a Thesis Statement and Outline
p.12-16

My Grammar Lab
Chapter 4 Adjectives and Adverbs p. 60-86

4 University Success: Reading

Skill: Main Ideas and Supporting Details p.24-33 Exam I (Oct 30/31)

5 University Success: Reading

Skill: Cohesion p.46-55 Assign story 1

My Grammar Lab
Chapter 4 Adjectives and Adverbs p. 60-86

University Success: Writing

Skill: Summarizing Texts and Incorporating
Summaries p.39-46

6 University Success: Reading

Skill: Interpreting Visuals p.104-108
Standardized Exam 2
My Grammar Lab (Nov 13/14)
Chapter 8 Conditionals p. 162-178

7 University Success: Reading

Skill: Fact and Opinion p.134-141

My Grammar Lab
Chapter 8 Conditionals p. 162-178

University Success: Writing

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AUST Rhetoric I Course Outline – Fall 2019 - 2020

Skill: Distinguishing Facts and Opinions and

making Claims p.134-142

8 University Success: Writing

Skill: Using appropriate adverbials to fit
rhetorical context (p.92-95) Exam 2 (Nov 27/28)

My Grammar Lab
Chapter 12 Relative, participle and other clauses
(236-252)

9 University Success: Reading

Skill: Paraphrasing p. 168-172 Assign story 2

10 University Success: Reading

Skill: Evidence and Argumentation p.183-186

My Grammar Lab
Chapter 12 Relative, participle and other clauses
(236-252)

11 My Grammar Lab
Chapter 15 Word Combination p. 282-298 Exam 3 (Dec 19/23)

Persuasive Skills (logos, Pathos, Ethos)

12 My Grammar Lab
Chapter 15 Word Combination p. 282-298

13 Standardized Exam 3
Project Presentations (Jan 8/9)

14
Project Presentations

15 REVIEW