Course Detail

WRIT 250 Advanced Composition

WRIT 250 IS Sec 1, University of Mississippi
[See UM Catalog for Description]

3 credit hours

Instructor Information:

Dr. Kerry Bowers

Instructor name:
Dr. Kerry Bowers
klbowers@olemiss.edu

Instructor Information:
Kerry Bowers received her BA from the University of South Carolina, her MA from Georgia State University, and her PhD from the University of Mississippi. While she primarily teaches Advanced Composition, she has also taught courses in First-year Writing, Science Fiction, Descriptive Grammar, Style, Literary Theory, and English and American Literature. Her research interests include cognitive theory, creative theory, style, and linguistics.

Contact Information:

If you have questions concerning the content of the course, you may contact the instructor directly using the Email Your Instructor link in the Lessons or Content page. NOTE: Whenever sending email, please be sure to indicate your course title and number in the subject line. You can expect a response within 72 hours, although it may be longer on weekends. Many instructors reply within 24 hours.

For lesson or test administration issues, please contact the iStudy department:

The University of Mississippi
Division of Outreach and Continuing Education
iStudy
P. O. Box 1848
University, MS 38677

Phone: (662) 915-7313, toll-free (877) 915-7313
Fax: (662) 915-8826
E-mail: istudy@olemiss.edu

Course Description

This is a 16-lesson independent study course on the topic of Advanced Composition. It introduces students to academic research and writing in their disciplines.

Textbook Information:

Textbook information will be provided upon enrollment in your iStudy course.

Course Objectives:

Objectives include (but are not limited to):

  1. Understand what is meant by academic, peer-reviewed research and writing.
  2. Know what topics are suitable for academic research.
  3. Recognize the difference between objective description and argumentation.
  4. Apply the content of academic articles to your own exploration of a research problem.
  5. Compare and contrast the differing perspectives on your research problem across sources.
  6. Synthesize the content of secondary sources and your own primary research.

Course Outline:

This course consists of 11 instructional modules (or lessons).

You MUST complete the syllabus quiz as soon as you have access to your Blackboard course. This is mandatory to verify your attendance. *  NOTE: you must pass the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz for the course materials to appear on the Lessons page.
Lesson Topics Due for Grades Suggested Pacing Guide
(if you want to complete the course in a traditional semester)
Start Here *You MUST complete the syllabus quiz as soon as you have access to your Blackboard course. This is mandatory to verify your attendance.*NOTE: you must pass the Syllabus and Orientation Quiz for the course materials to appear on the Lessons page. Syllabus Quiz Week 1
0 Course Introduction/Resources Discussion board
Video		 Week 1
1 Understanding Academic Research  Readings
Video
2 Quizzes 		 Week 1
2 Choosing a Topic Readings
HW 		Week 2
3 Crafting Your Topic Proposal Topic Proposal
Due		 Week 3
4 Compiling a List of Articles on Your Topic Readings
Video
Quiz
HW		 Week 4
5 Annotating Your Articles Readings
Quiz		 Week 5
6 Understanding Limitations and Scope Readings
Quiz
HW		 Week 6
7 Crafting Your Annotated Bibliography   Annotated Bibliography Due Week 7
MIDPOINT OF COURSE You are encouraged to reach the midpoint of your course by the date specified in your information. All lesson assignments needed to reach the midpoint of the course The date you are encouraged to reach the midpoint is specified in your registration information.
8  Reviewing the Literature  Readings
Video
Quiz		 Week 8
9 Creating a Synthesis Matrix  Readings
HW		 Week 9
10 Synthesizing Sources Readings
Quiz
HW
 Week 10
11 Crafting Your Literature Review Literature Review Due Week 11
12 Understanding Research Ethics Readings
Video
Quiz
HW
 Week 12
13 Conducting Primary Research Readings
Video
Quiz 		 Week 13
14 Analyzing Your Primary Research Results HW Week 14
15 Crafting the Prospectus and the Multimodal   Readings
Video		 Week 15
Final Exam We do not have a final exam; rather, the Prospectus and Multimodal must be completed by the end of week/lesson 16. Prospectus and Multimodal Due Week 16

Grading:

Writing and Rhetoric uses a "93-100 = A" grading scale.

93 - 100% = A
90-92 = A-
80 - 89% = B
70 - 79% = C
60 - 69% = D
Below 59% = F

The grading format is as follows:

Each lesson submitted will be read and given a numerical grade. If you make below a 60 on 5 lessons you will fail the course. 

As for your Midterm and Final exam, you will be graded using a letter scale of A, B, C, D, F.

The grading format is as follows:
Topic Proposal: 15%
Annotated Bibliography: 20%
Literature Review: 25%
Prospectus: 30%
Multimodal: 10%
Total 100%

Please note that all work leading up to and including each major assignment is included in the percentages alloted to that assignment. For example, the 15% of your grade assigned to the Topic Proposal includes the homework, quizzes, discussion boards, and the final assignment itself. Further, assignments are included proportionally. So, while a homework grade may b worth 5 points, the final assignment is worth 100 points, meaning it will have the greatest impact.

FAILURE TO TAKE THE FINAL EXAM WILL RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE COURSE

You must submit the lessons required to take the course exam(s). Lessons required but not submitted will receive a grade of zero. For the final exam, all coursework must be submitted and graded.