National University

Course:	ENG662 - Rhetoric and Comp Capstone
Textbook:	For the correct edition of the textbook assigned to a specific class, go to: http://www.nutextdirect.com
Course Prerequisite(s): Recommended: Prior completion of ENG654 ENG655 ENG656 ENG657 ENG658 ENG659 ENG661
Course Description: Final course of the M.A. in Rhetoric and Composition Program. Exceptions may be made if the student is within two courses of program completion, with the approval of the Lead Faculty. Degree candidates will write their capstone project. They are encouraged to select one of their written projects from the M.A. in Rhetoric and Composition Program and revise and expand it as their capstone project. In addition, they will participate in Program assessment activities.
Course Learning Outcomes: Revise and expand an original scholarly paper written by the student in accordance with the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing. Compose textual analyses of data-based and qualitative research that are appropriate for the fields of Composition and Rhetoric. Acquire submission guidelines for presentations at scholarly conferences and publication in scholarly and literary journals, including on-line journals. Write a capstone proposal and preliminary works-cited list to be approved by the ENG 662 professor. (The proposal for a Five-Chapter thesis must be approved by both the thesis advisor and the ENG 662 professor.) Design and conduct research appropriate to the fields of Rhetoric and Composition in a variety of methodological systems, for example, bibliographical, historical, ethnographical, and classroom research.
Course Requirements: Course Requirements include: 1. Students will select a scholarly project from their program to revise and expand as their capstone project. Students are encouraged to select a project (and a thesis advisor, if needed) before the beginning of ENG 662, as well as to have drafted a thesis proposal. 2. Students who are conducting empirical research that includes human subjects’ research will fulfill all IRB requirements. 3. Students will write a capstone proposal and preliminary Works Cited, which must be approved by the ENG 662 professor.  (For a Five Chapter thesis, the proposal and preliminary Works Cited must be approved by both the ENG 662 instructor and the Thesis Advisor.) 4. Students will take an exit examination which tests graduate level knowledge of the various subject areas they have studied in their program. 5. Students will participate in rigorous peer critiques. 6. Students will complete their capstone projects. Article-style capstone essays are due at the end of the two-month course. (For a Five Chapter thesis, students will work with their thesis advisor to establish a timeline for completion, including final approval by the thesis advisor and the ENG 662 Instructor.) 7. Students who do not finish their Five-Chapter thesis within the two-month course will receive a grade of IP (In Progress). Students will have up to 10 months to complete the thesis and receive a grade in the course. To receive a grade of S in the course, the capstone project must earn at least a B according the College of Letters and Science's Standards for Graduate Writing.

Students with Disabilities:
Students seeking special accommodations due to a disability must submit an application with supporting documentation, as explained under this subject heading in the General Catalog. Instructors are required to provide such accommodations if they receive written notification from the University.

Writing Across the Curriculum:
Students are expected to demonstrate writing skills in describing, analyzing and evaluating ideas and experiences. Written reports and research papers must follow specific standards regarding citations of an author's work within the text and references at the end of the paper. Students are encouraged to use the services of the University's Writing Center when preparing materials.

The following website provides information on APA, MLA, and other writing and citation styles that may be required for term papers and the like: http://www.nu.edu/LIBRARY/ReferenceTools/citations.html

National University Library:
National University Library supports academic rigor and student academic success by providing access to scholarly books and journals both electronically and in hard copy. Print materials may be accessed at the Library in San Diego or through document delivery for online and regional students. Librarians are available to provide training, reference assistance, and mentoring at the San Diego Library and virtually for online or regional students. Please take advantage of Library resources:

URL: http://www.nu.edu/library.

Contact the Library:

• RefDesk@nu.edu
• (858) 541-7900 (direct line)
• 1-866-NU ACCESS x7900 (toll free)

Use the Library Training Tools (on the Library Homepage) for additional help

• Recorded class presentations
• Tutorials & Guides (APA/MLA, Peer-Review, and more)

Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else's ideas or work as one's own. Students must give credit for any information that is not either the result of original research or common knowledge. If a student borrows ideas or information from another author, he/she must acknowledge the author in the body of the text and on the reference page. Students found plagiarizing are subject to the penalties outlined in the Policies and Procedures section of the University Catalog, which may include a failing grade for the work in question or for the entire course. The following is one of many websites that provide helpful information concerning plagiarism for both students and faculty: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml

Ethics:
Ethical behavior in the classroom is required of every student. The course will identify ethical policies and practices relevant to course topics.

Technology:
Students are expected to be competent in using current technology appropriate for this discipline. Such technology may include word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Use of the internet and e-mail may also be required.

Diversity:
Learning to work with and value diversity is essential in every class. Students are expected to exhibit an appreciation for multinational and gender diversity in the classroom.

Civility:
As a diverse community of learners, students must strive to work together in a setting of civility, tolerance, and respect for each other and for the instructor. Rules of classroom behavior (which apply to online as well as onsite courses) include but are not limited to the following:

• Conflicting opinions among members of a class are to be respected and responded to in a professional manner.
• Side conversations or other distracting behaviors are not to be engaged in during lectures, class discussions or presentations
• There are to be no offensive comments, language, or gestures