English 301- Advanced Composition

Purpose & Objectives: to improve skills for writing at advanced levels; see also the USI Writing Program statement of objectives and purpose.

Course requirements: three 5 - 6 page papers, a final examination which will be an essay, three short papers (based on readings), and various class and homework assignments.

Theme topics will be assigned from the textbook or readings. All final drafts for assigned themes for the computer sections must be prepared on the word processor. These themes will generally run from 4-5‑pages, double spaced, and using one‑inch margins. Papers should also be written in 12pt. Courier New TT font.

Concept of Life Essay: emphasizes the writer's personal views and individuality as she/he explores the larger meanings and truths inherent in everyday experiences and values

Concept of Knowledge Essay: moves from personal to communal and social, as the writer considers a body of knowledge and the literacy required for knowing, creating, and constructing knowledge in that field.

Concept of Logic Essay: considers a controversial issue, using a logical consideration of facts and other evidence to explore a particular truth that fuels the debate of the issue.

Concept of Interpretation Essay: Final Exam: Explores a literary piece in order to interpret a particular truth about life and how humans respond to it as presented in the work.

Responses: You are required to write three reading responses to the readings in Writing About the World. These responses are based on assignments provided at the end of each thematic unit in the textbook. Writing a response means that you will reflect on the meaning behind those experiences and then comment on the significance of that meaning in terms of your life, the lives of others, or global values. Your choice. More detail is available by clicking on "Response" on the main menu at the top of this page.

Glaser: Chapter One, Exs. 2, 8, and 9
Writing About the World: Confucius, p. 22; Plato, p. 28

Glaser: Chapter 2, Exs. 1, 8 and 10
Writing About the World: Marx and Engels, p. 65; Riencourt, p. 201

Writing About the World: Oxfam, 108; Annan, p. 115, Carter, p. 147, and King, 212 (Choose any three).

Writing About the World: pp. 254 - 267
Concept of Life Paper Due on the last class of the week..

Writing About the World: Einstein, p. 451; Hall, p. 410
First Reading Response paper due

Writing About the World: Brannon, p. 577 and Weisstein, p. 582; pp. 606-613
Second Reading Response paper due last class of the week

No Glaser exercises assigned this week
Writing About the World: Read all of "Definitions and Cultural Contexts" selections (pp. 614 - 633)
Discussion and drafting for Concept of Logic Paper

Writing About the World: Choose any three selections from "Concepts of Creation" section (pp. 634 - 652)
Complete draft due for Concept of Logic Paper first class of the week.

Writing About the World: From the unit, "Foundations of Belief," read one selection from each category (The Eastern World, The Western World, and The Middle East)
Concept of Logic Paper due second class of the week

Reading: Eudora Welty's "Why I Live at the Post Office." This selection can be found on the Internet. One URL is

You will meet in the lab for a 2-hour final. You will complete the draft of the interpretation paper.

Grading: Grades for themes are non‑numerical (i.e., A, B, C, D, and F) and are based on an analytic scale. Papers are graded holistically. Marginal comments from the instructor do not represent everything that may need attention in a paper. Students are invited to make appointments or visit during regular office hours to discuss any graded assignment.

All students are encouraged to inquire about their progress and performance in this course. Any student may do so during regular office hours without appointment. Other times, by appointment, are also available for conference.

Submitting papers and class work: Papers and class work completed outside of class are due at the beginning of class. These papers will not be accepted if placed in the instructor's mailbox, under the door, sent by e-mail, or any other delivery mode. Papers can only be turned in by the student in person to the instructor at the beginning of the class on the due date, or if the student anticipates a future absence on the day that a paper or class work is due, the student may turn in the work prior to that class in person. No responses or class work will be accepted late or under any other circumstances.

Attendance: Each student is allowed one week of absences (3 for MWF, 2 for TTR). After the allowable absences, the student's final grade is reduced by one/third of a letter value (e.g., an A+ would become an A; a B‑ would become a C+).

Make‑up work: Major papers may be turned in late (up to one week from the due date). Late papers will receive a grade reduction of one full letter (e.g., an A+ becomes a B+). After one week, the paper's grade is F. Students with valid excuses may make up major papers and will not be penalized by grade, though they have up to one week to submit late work. Class work and homework cannot be made up.

Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes: We will meet the following Mondays in LA 1008: January 29; February 12 and 26; March 19; and April 2 and 16.

Tuesday and Thursday classes: We will meet the following Thursdays in LA 1008: January 18; February 1 and 15; March 1 and 22; and April 5 and 19.

Weekly Schedule	Major Papers	Policies	Responses
Course Information	Lab Schedule	Format	Contact Instructor