📘 Course Information

Course Syllabus – Fall 2025 (Aug. 26 – Dec. 16)

📝 Course Description

You’ve completed ENG-W131—now it’s time to level up. In this course, you’ll analyze, evaluate, and create arguments that respond to real questions, engage real audiences, and connect to your academic and career goals.

Official IU Indianapolis Course Description

ENG-W 270: Argumentative Writing (3 credits)
Prerequisite: ENG-W 131 or ENG-W 140 (with a grade of C or higher)

This course focuses on instruction and practice in writing argumentative essays about complicated and controversial issues. Students learn strategies for identifying issues, assessing claims, locating evidence, deciding on a position, and writing papers with clear assertions and convincing arguments.

🛠️ What You’ll Do

You’ll complete two major projects (1000 Points Possible):

• Researched Argument Project (400 Points Total)
  Built through a series of consequetive assignments: The Four Major Assignments (100 Points Possible for Each).
  (The parenthetical number indicates the week each is due by 11:59 PM on Friday.)
  • 📚 Annotated Bibliography (Week 5) – You’ll locate and assess sources.
  • 🧠 Literature Review (Week 8) – You’ll synthesize ideas across texts.
  • 📝 Proposal (Week 10) – You’ll plan and justify your approach.
  • 🎯 Final Project (Week 14) – You’ll compose your argument in one of two formats:
    • A Word document (you’ll learn how to use Microsoft 365 to streamline your research and writing), or
    • A creative format like video, podcast, infographic, or other media that fits your message and audience.
• 📁 Reflective ePortfolio (Week 16) (600 Points Total)
  • At the end of each week, you’ll complete a short ePortfolio reflection task tied to that week’s learning. You'll also meet with peers and me and reflect on our discussions. These short assignments (300 Points Possible) will help you build a showcase of your work and growth across the semester. 
  • The final ePortfolio is due Sunday of Week 16 at 11:59 PM. (300 Points Possible)
  • Your submission will include selected artifacts and reflections that demonstrate how your writing has evolved.
• Course Map Summarizing Each of the 16-Week's Topics 
• More Detailed Explanation of the 2 Major Projects

🎯 Why This Matters

You’ll build skills in research, communication, and critical thinking that apply now and later. You’ll learn how to make your voice heard—and how to back it up with evidence.

To be eligible to take W270 you must have earned a C in W131 or its equivalent.

🎯 Course Goals

Check the "Home" Page and/ or the "Understanding and Achieving Our Course Goals" page for my interpretation of these official course goals (I summarize the Course Goals using more colloquial language on the "Home" page, and I detail how to achieve them on the "Understanding and Achieving" page):

Official 200-level Writing Program Course Goals 

By Week 16 You Will: 

• • Understand how argument works in different academic, social, and professional contexts
  • Pose and refine research questions to explore real issues
  • Ethically locate, evaluate, and integrate sources using appropriate documentation styles (MLA, APA, etc.)
  • Develop clear, well-reasoned arguments across formats and audiences
  • Revise your drafts with purpose, strategy, and reflection
  • Use rhetorical awareness to shape message, tone, genre, and ethos

📊 Grading Scale 

There are 1000 Points Total (so if you get 970 of them, you'll get a 97% Total, which is an A+):

A+ – 100%–97%
A – <97%–93%
A– – <93%–90%
B+ – <90%–87%
B – <87%–83%
B– – <83%–80%
C+ – <80%–77%
C – <77%–73%
C– – <73%–70%
D+ – <70%–67%
D – <67%–63%
D– – <63%–60%
F – <60%

🪑 Attendance & Engagement Policy

💡 Why This Matters

Your presence matters—not just physically, but as a participant in our shared learning space whether it's online or in person. When you show up, ask questions, respond to others, or even just listen with intention, you're helping shape a community where everyone learns better.

This class is designed to make you focus more intentionally on your writing process, which involves brainstorming, drafting, revising, and discussion-based activities that build on each other. Missing class means missing momentum—and we want you moving forward with confidence.

✅ What Counts as “Showing Up”?

“Attendance” doesn’t just mean being in the room. It means being engaged—asking a question, bringing a draft, commenting on a peer’s idea, or even showing up ready to listen. If you’re doing that (either in person or online), you’re doing it right.

📌 Here’s How It Works

• Regular attendance is expected, whether it’s a writing workshop, small group session, or class discussion.
• If you know ahead of time that you’ll miss class (due to illness, family needs, work, etc.), just let me know as early as possible—no need to overshare details.
• If something unexpected comes up (life happens!), send me a quick message via Canvas Inbox or email as soon as you can. Communication keeps us both in sync.
• You’re responsible for making up missed content. Ask a classmate for notes and check Canvas Modules for materials.

⚠️ Administrative Withdrawal Policy (IU Rule)

IU requires instructors to notify students about this:

If you miss more than half of class sessions during the first 25% of the semester (roughly the first 4 weeks) and haven’t contacted me, you may be administratively withdrawn from the course. This can affect your financial aid, GPA, and tuition.

So if life throws something at you early in the semester, please reach out. I’m here to support—not penalize—you.

📅 Excused Absences (University Policy)

Some absences must be excused under IU policies, such as:

• 🕊️ Religious observances
• ⚖️ Jury duty or military service
• 🩺 Medical conditions or emergencies
• 🎭 Official university activities (like athletics or performances)

Let me know in advance when possible, and we’ll make a plan to keep you on track.

 

💬 In Short

You matter here. Your voice matters. And your presence helps make this class feel real and connected—for all of us.

I’ll be flexible when needed, and I ask you to communicate clearly and respectfully in return.