Prince Sultan University

College of Humanities TLC 2019 Institutional Course

Semester 191/ 2019 - 2020 Syllabus

INSTITUTIONAL COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Code: ENG 103 Course Title: Research Writing Techniques

Course Instructor: Dr. Burhan Ozfidan Email: bozfidan@psu.edu.sa

Credit Hours: 3 Course Location: E241

Scheduled Office Hours: Monday 12-3pm

Wednesday 12-3pm
Office Location: 19
Co-Requisite: none Pre-Requisite: ENG101

Mission Statement

The College of Languages and Humanities supports the mission of Prince Sultan University. It
sensitizes students to the ever-increasing needs of their society and prepares them for the
challenges of a rapidly changing world. It seeks to instill in its students the habits of independent
learning, creative thinking, self-confidence, effective collaboration, and community service. It
will provide students with access to quality educational opportunities at the undergraduate level
via the disciplines of communication and media studies, journalism, languages and literary
studies, linguistics, translation, and cultural studies. The college is committed to preparing the
kind of students who embrace intellectual curiosity; who cultivate an awareness of their world
and contemporary culture; who employ appropriate theories, tools, and technologies in pursuit of
lifelong learning; who use their education to contribute to the common good; and who are at
home in a global world.

Mission Statement-UL

To graduate students who are fully-prepared to meet the challenges of English-medium

undergraduate study and are proficient in academic language use. Thus, the department
endeavors to deliver the highest levels of quality education to our students and to offer
internationally recognized professional development to our faculty.

I. Course Description: This course promotes an understanding of research skills together

with the ability to write an academic paper. Students will investigate problems in
conjunction with presenting academically acceptable arguments. They will complete
course work that includes synthesis, critical evaluation and appropriate citation techniques.

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 Prince Sultan University
College of Humanities TLC 2019 Institutional Course
Semester 191/ 2019 - 2020 Syllabus

II. Course Learning Outcomes: On the successful completion of this course, students will be
able to demonstrate the following:

Skills Course Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge 1.1 Cite major academic sources in APA style consistently
and appropriately.
1.2 Write well-structured, evidence based paragraphs in
research papers using appropriate academic
terminology, concepts, and skills, including, but not
limited to, drafting and outlining.
2. Cognitive Skills 2.1 Write open-ended debatable research questions.
2.2 Demonstrate critical reading and analytical skills,
including understanding an argument's major assertions
and assumptions, and evaluating the supporting
evidence.
3. Interpersonal Skills 3.1 Participate in collaborative work and/or projects.
& Responsibility
4. Communication, 4.1 Develop library and online research skills with
Information academic sources
Technology,
Numerical
5. Psychomotor (if NA
Applicable)

III. Tentative Weekly Course Schedule: (Should mention the specific course topics to be
covered within the semester) May change to accommodate guest presenters & student
needs. .

WEEK UNIT/ TOPIC CLO(s) Assignments Number of

alignment Contact
hours
1 - Introduction to the Course 4 LaunchPad 3
- Introduction to Launchpad Homework
2 - Writing Diagnostic 1 LaunchPad 1
- Introduction to Research- 1,3 Homework 2
Purpose, Scope and
Significance
3 - Library & Online Research 4 LaunchPad 2
Methods Homework
- Summarizing & Paraphrasing 1, 2, 3, 4 2 Media 1
Sources

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 Prince Sultan University
College of Humanities TLC 2019 Institutional Course
Semester 191/ 2019 - 2020 Syllabus

4 - Summarizing & Paraphrasing 1, 2, 3,4 LaunchPad 2

- APA Style Introduction (in-text Homework 1
citation) 1, 4
5 - Summarizing & Paraphrasing 1, 2, 3, 4 LaunchPad 1
- Arguments/Thesis Statements Homework 2
1, 2, 3, 4 Summary &
Analysis Paper
6 - Arguments/Thesis Statements 1, 2, 3, 4 LaunchPad 1
- Argumentative Essay Structure Homework 1
& Writing Skills Quiz 1 1
Quiz 1 1, 2, 3, 4
7 - Arguments/Thesis Statements 1, 2, 3, 4 LaunchPad 1
- Argumentative Essay Structure Homework 2
& Writing Skills 1, 2, 3, 4
8 - Midterm Exam: Preparation, LaunchPad 3
Exam 1, 2, 4 Homework
(Write an Argumentative Essay Midterm Exam
outline), & Debrief
9 Citations and References-APA 1 LaunchPad 3
Style Homework

10 Research Paper Writing & 1, 2, 3, 4 LaunchPad 3

Tutorials Homework
Literature
Review Sources
(4)
11 Research Paper Writing & 1, 2, 3, 4 LaunchPad 3
Tutorials Homework
Literature
Review Draft
12 Research Paper Writing & 1, 2, 3, 4 Literature 3
Tutorials Review
Submission (4
sources)
Research Paper
Outline
Introduction
Draft
13 Research Paper Writing & 1, 2, 3, 4 Body Paragraphs 3
Tutorials Draft
Conclusion &
References Draft

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 Prince Sultan University
College of Humanities TLC 2019 Institutional Course
Semester 191/ 2019 - 2020 Syllabus

14 Research Paper Writing & 1, 2, 3, 4 Research 3

Tutorials Paper-Final
Version
15 - Research Paper Feedback 1, 2, 3, 4 3
- Final Exam Preparation 1, 2, 3, 4

IV. Student Assessment & Teaching Strategies: Assessment Task (Indicate the kind of
assessment tasks to be used to measure student learning in each of the learning domains.
Example: quiz, oral examination, group work, etc).
Teaching Strategies (Indicate the teaching and student activities to be used to develop the
kinds of learning involved in each learning domain. Also, research specialized Information
about Best Teaching Practices for the particular course/field).

Domain Assessment Task Teaching Strategy

Knowledge -LaunchPad Homework -Library orientation week:
-Quiz academic databases, reference
-Midterm Exam material. Library work with
-Research Paper sources of information (CLO
-Final Exam 1.1).
- Scaffolding, text analysis,
class discussion, response
writing, writing workshops-
focus on content, language
and organization (CLO 1.2).
Cognitive Skills -Summary & Analysis Paper -Short Videos-news stories,
-Quiz contemporary world issues,
-LaunchPad Homework debates (CLO 2.1).
-Midterm Exam - Text analysis, class
-Research Paper discussion, group work,
-Final Exam debates, presenting one-
minute papers, critical
reflection cards, response
writing (CLO 2.2).
Interpersonal Skills & -Components of the research - Collaborative tasks: Peer
Responsibility paper editing and writing,
presenting an argument in
pairs (CLO 3.1).
Numerical & -Research Paper -Library orientation week:
Communication Skills -LaunchPad Homework academic databases, reference
material. Library work with
sources of information (CLO
4.1).

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 Prince Sultan University
College of Humanities TLC 2019 Institutional Course
Semester 191/ 2019 - 2020 Syllabus

V. Course Requirements In this course, students will write one midterm exam and one final
exam. The primary focus of the course is the Research Paper, which will be submitted in
draft stages (proposal; introduction; body paragraphs; conclusion/references), with
feedback given at each stage before the final submission in Week 14. In addition, there is
continuous assessment in the form of 1 quiz, homework exercises (online through
LaunchPad and via LMS), and the summary and analysis paper in Week 5. Collaborative
work and/or projects will be assessed as part of the research paper.

VI. Schedule of Assessment (Specify the schedule/date of assessment & proportion of

assessment, attach related rubrics for each assessment if applicable. For examples of
rubrics, visit www.irubrics.com . The schedule should be consistent with the academic
calendar. Any significant changes should be avoided. If significant changes are made,
academic leaders should be informed in writing and students should be given a new
schedule of assessment table).

Week Due Proportion of

Assessment Assessment Task Final Assessment

1 LaunchPad Homework (10 Assignments) Continuous 10%

assessment
Summary & Analysis Paper Week 5 5%
2
Quiz 1-Developing Debatable Questions Week 6: 5%
3 and Claims

Midterm Exam (Write an Argumentative Week 8: 15%

4 Essay outline)

Literature Review + Draft Week 12 10% + 2.5%

5
Research Paper + Draft Week 13- 10% +2.5%
6 14
Final Exam (Write an Argumentative TBA 40%
7 Essay with Sources and Use Proper APA
Citation Style)

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 Prince Sultan University
College of Humanities TLC 2019 Institutional Course
Semester 191/ 2019 - 2020 Syllabus

VII. Learning Resources

A. References

1. Required Textbook(s)

LaunchPad for A Writer's Reference (Twelve Month Access)

Hacker, D., & Sommers, N. (2019). A Writer’s Reference. 9th Edition. Boston, MA: Bedford
St. Martin.
Link to LaunchPad: (you have to buy launchpad access for 12 months using the same
link posted on Moodle)
https://reg.macmillanhighered.com/Account/Unauthenticated?TargetURL=http://
www.macmillanhighered.com/launchpad/writersref9e/5780208&isInstructor=true

2. Essential References Materials (Journals, Reports, etc.)

 LaunchPad tutorials and course resources.

3. Recommended Textbooks and Reference Material (Journals, Reports, etc)

 We recommend that students use the following databases: EBSCOhost, Emerald,

and ProQuest. We would also make extensive use of JSTOR if it was available.

4. List Electronic Materials, Web Sites, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/
http://www.cws.illinois.edu
http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/writers/
http://www.cws.illinois.edu/workshop/teachers/
http://www.une.edu.au
http://www.indiana.edu
http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/intros.html
http://writingcenter.waldenu.edu/
http://arts.uottawa.ca/writingcentre/en/hypergrammar/building-clauses
http://arts.uottawa.ca/writingcentre/en/resources
http://www.cambridge.org/grammarandbeyond
http://dictionary.reference.com
http://thesaurus.reference.com

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 Prince Sultan University
College of Humanities TLC 2019 Institutional Course
Semester 191/ 2019 - 2020 Syllabus

5. Other learning material such as computer-based programs/CD, professional standards or

regulations and software.

Turnitin through LMS is used extensively both for plagiarism checking and for
feedback and assessment.
B. Facilities Required

 Traditional classrooms (25-30 seats with desks/tables)

 White and smart boards
 Computer labs (25-30 computers with Internet connection)
 Photocopy machines (in working condition)

C. Learning Management System

• Moodle; LaunchPad for A Writer's Reference

VIII. Classroom Policies

A. Academic Integrity Policy (e.g. plagiarism or dishonesty)

“Plagiarism can be defined as unintentionally or deliberately using another person’s writing
or ideas as though they are one’s own. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, copying
another individual’s work and taking credit for it, paraphrasing information from a source
without proper documentation, and mixing one’s own words with those of another author
without attribution. In addition, buying a paper or project, or downloading a paper from the
Internet, and submitting them as your own are also plagiarism. The penalty for academic
dishonesty will bring course expulsion and failure, or even suspension” (Academic
Integrity and Syllabus Acknowledgement Form).

Guidelines and Rubrics

For each of the written assignments, students will be given a clear set of guidelines as well as a
copy of the rubric that will be used in marking it. Written assignments that do not follow the
guidelines will receive a very low grade. Therefore, please read the guidelines carefully, pay
attention in class when they are presented and discussed, and consult your instructor if you have
any questions.

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 Prince Sultan University
College of Humanities TLC 2019 Institutional Course
Semester 191/ 2019 - 2020 Syllabus

Electronic Submission

In English 103, all written assignments will be submitted via LMS. Every assignment will be
checked by Turnitin, which is the most sophisticated originality checker available. In other
words, it will be checking your assignments for instances of copying or plagiarism. It checks
your assignments against everything that is available on the Internet, as well as against every
assignment that a student anywhere in the world has ever submitted to it. Almost immediately
after an assignment is submitted, both the student and the instructor will receive an originality
report. This originality report will highlight any instances where the student has copied or
plagiarized, as well as the original source.

Turnitin as a Teaching Tool

The electronic submission of assignments via LMS will be set up so as to allow resubmission.
This means that a student may, prior to the deadline, submit his/her assignment and receive the
originality report. He/She then has the opportunity to remove, replace, or correct the highlighted
sentences (i.e. those that are copied or plagiarized). This process may be completed an unlimited
number of times up until the submission deadline, with no penalty. Students are, therefore,
encouraged to submit their assignments as early as possible to give themselves as much time as
possible to improve their paraphrasing skills and to become more original writers.

Plagiarism Penalties

Plagiarism, or copying without giving credit, is a very serious academic offence and will be
treated as such in this course. However, one of the main goals in this course is to train you to
avoid plagiarism. Therefore,Turnitin will be used extensively, not only as an originality checker,
but also as a teaching tool. This is also why you will be given the opportunity for resubmissions
prior to the deadlines.

If, however, an assignment is submitted and there are instances of plagiarism in it and you do not
fix it, there will be consequences once the deadline passes. The intent behind these
consequences, though, is not to penalize the student, but to help him/her learn from his/her
mistakes.

Minor Plagiarism

If an assignment contains only a small number of scattered instances of plagiarism, then marks
will be deducted from the appropriate criterion/criteria of the rubric.

For example, if part of a sentence is nearly or wholly copied, but there is an in-text citation, then
you will lose marks in the paraphrasing criterion. If, on the other hand, there is no in-text

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 Prince Sultan University
College of Humanities TLC 2019 Institutional Course
Semester 191/ 2019 - 2020 Syllabus

citation, then you will lose marks not only in the paraphrasing criterion, but also in the in-text
citation criterion.

Serious Plagiarism

If an assignment contains more than a few scattered instances of plagiarism, then the
consequences become much more serious.

If serious plagiarism occurs on the final submission, the student will be notified of this.The
student then has only one day within the deadline period to paraphrase instances of plagiarism in
the assignment and resubmit it. If the student does not resubmit the assignment, or does not
sufficiently correct it, then the assignment will receive a final mark of zero.

B. Attendance Policy

Please, adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Students are required to attend all classes from the first day of the semester. Attendance
is taken at the beginning of each class. A student is responsible for his/her attendance in
accordance with the rules and limits set by Prince Sultan University. Any absence will be
counted against the student’s allowable limit. The absence limit for this course is 12.
After 12 absences have been recorded, the DN process automatically begins. Late
arrival to class is counted as one absence on the 3rd offence.

2. No make-up exams will be allowed except for university accepted documents. (Refer to
the student regulation handbook for further details.)

C. Homework Submission Policy

If a quiz, midterm, examination, homework or assignment is missed for any reason an automatic
“0” mark is given. Late submissions have 5% deducted from the total grade for each day late.
There is no bonus or make-up work for missed assignments.

All assignments must be typed (Times New Roman), 12-point font, 1-inch margins all around,
double-spaced between lines on A-4 paper and submitted by 4:00 PM on their respective due
dates.

Throughout the course, students will be assigned homework exercises on the LaunchPad LMS
on a weekly basis. These will be announced in class and on the LaunchPad LMS. Additional
homework exercises from other sources may be assigned and/or quizzes given as each instructor
sees fit.

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