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UNIVERSITY OF BALAMAND
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Department of English Language & Literature
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Name (Title): English Communication Skills III

Course Code: ENGL 203 Nb. of Credits: 3 Pre-Requisites: ENGL 102 or required
TOEFL score of 600 and above, SAT score of 490 and above, new SAT Writing score of 28 and
above, IELTS score 7.5- 9

Academic Year: 2022-2023 Semester: Spring

Course Time: Section: Bldg/Room:

Instructor Name / Title: *This syllabus is for all sections – Refer to your
instructor for his/her contact information*

Coordinator Name: Dr. Samira Nicolas Department Chair: Dr. Omar Adra

Course Description:
This course emphasizes writing for particular purposes and particular audiences. Students’ ability to read
critically and analyze texts of various types is stressed. Importance is placed on students’ ability to
synthesize and incorporate a variety of sources in their writing. The oral communication skill is nurtured
through formal and informal discussions and presentations. The readings for this course explore a variety
of topics pertaining to the theme of health and wellnes. The topic is the basis for nurturing the skills of
analysis and synthesis. Through the reading component, students will enhance their critical reading skills,
enrich their vocabulary and develop well thought opinions on the topics.

Course Educational Objectives:

 to use a range of skills to critically evaluate/ respond to topics of an argumentative nature
 to enhance the skill of critically analyzing texts
 to develop knowledge of different writing genres
 to develop appropriate writing styles for different audiences and purposes
 to engage in oral communication practices, classroom discussions and presentations

Course Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
· critically analyze texts according to author, purpose, audience, tone, credibility and form
· correctly quote, paraphrase, and cite sources
· research a topic using library, internet, and journal dabatases
· write a well structured critical analysis essay
· demonstrate the ability to respond (refllect on) to information
· develop a literature review through the synthesis of literature on a particular topic

Required Textbook:
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A course reader is available on Moodle; additional course readings, guidelines, and supplemental
material will also be made available on MOODLE.

SECTION II: Course Content and Timetable

Week Date Teaching days / Coverage Assignments

0 Jan. 18 Access Moodle to download the course reader and Students must watch
Drop/Add watch the video on email etiquette. the video on email
etiquette posted on
Moodle.
1 Jan. 23 Introduction to course theme (Health and Wellness)
Explanation of central argument, intended audience,
and purpose
Introduction to elements of critical analysis
(tone/language and evidence/credibility)
Introduction to the required vocabulary – students’
attention will be called to the language and vocab
quiz that will take place at the end of the semester

2 Jan. 30 Differences between scholarly and non-scholarly

texts in terms of the elements of tone and evidence

In class reading of different articles to practice

analyzing different tones and evidence. Practice
identifying the central argument.

Topic sentences for analysis paragraphs

3 Feb. 6 Structure of the critical analysis essay (introduction, Instructors will set up
*holiday on analysis of element1, analysis of element2) *No Turnitin class and give
Feb.9 (TH) conclusion paragraph* students the log in
credentials (the critical
Introduction to the formula for the introductory analysis essay must be
paragraph + thesis statement uploaded to turnitin)

Continue practicing analysis

Students will be instructed to select topic for

literature review (should be related to health and
wellness theme)

4 Feb. 13 Critical Analysis Essay in second session – typed Students are deciding on
*probable IN CLASS (submit to turnitin) their literature review
topic – it must be
holiday on submitted to their
Feb.14 (T)* instructor on Feb.22/23

5 Feb. 20 *First session is asynchronous – students are Students must find 5

deciding on their literature review topic and articles to be used for Lit
searching for articles* Review (At least two of
the articles must be
Second session: Introduction to the Literature Academic journal
Review with focus on Matrix articles; some can be
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Students MUST submit their literature review topic from the course reader)
this session otherwise a -5 penalty will be applied to
their matrix grade. – Refer to your instructor to NO ENCYCLOPEDIAS
know how/where to submit ARE ALLOWED

Students should be gathering and reading their

articles. All 5 should be decided on and submitted by
the first session of next week.

6 Feb. 27 First session: All 5 articles must be submitted to

instructor. Instructor will inform students how to
submit. Failure to submit articles will result in -5
penalty on matrix grade

What constitutes meaningful themes for a literature

review

Practice Lit. Review strategies (locating main ideas,

clustering/locating similar themes)

*From the first session of this week and

moving forward, students should always
have their articles with them in class (soft
copies on laptops or hard copies)*

Second session: Look at samples of matrices

Time will be given to students to start working with

their articles with guidance from instructor

7 March 6 First session: Practice on thesis statement for

literature review – it is a requirement to submit the Instructors will create
thesis statement with the matrix assignment on turnitin
for matrix
Students continue to work with their articles and
develop their matrix rows

Second session: There will be a graded activity

during this session. It must be done in class. Failure
to attend class and complete this activity will result
in -5 grade penalty on matrix grade.

Students must finish their matrix at home and have it

with them the next session for official submission.

8 March 13 First session: student must orally present their

matrix (20% of the matrix grade). It must be
done in class. Also, the complete matrix (Part 1 of
Lit. Review) must be submitted to turnitin by the
end of the class session

Second session is asynchronous – students will be

directed to read/view material on APA citation
rules
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9 March 20 “Translating” a matrix row into a synthesis Students will receive

paragraph their grades/feedback on
their matrices by the end
How to construct topic sentences for synthesis
of this week
paragraphs
Instructors will create
How to incorporate student author’s voice in
literature review – engaging with the literature new assignment on
Turnitin for part 2.
Synthesis practice/workshopping

Attention to APA in-text citation

10 March 27 Requirements for the introduction paragraph

including thesis statement

Working with required vocabulary

Synthesis examples/practice

Students should be thinking about and planning their

introduction paragraph.

Second session: A graded activity will take place

in this session (20% of the grade for part 2). This
must be done in class.

11 April 3 Part 2 literature review (intro + first two

*Easter synthesis paragraphs) typed in class. Uploaded to
turnitin by the end of the session.
holiday starts
April 6 (TH), *TTH sections will do this in the first session. MW
so two sections refer to instructor regarding which day this
teaching days week submission will take place.*
for MW and
only 1 for
TTH*
12 April 18 Instructors will create a
*still on Prepare for last part of literature review: 3rd synthesis new assignment on
paragraph, response paragraph, reference list Turnitin for Part 3.
holiday April
17 (M) so only General feedback on part 2 of the literature review
one teaching (part 3 includes a third synthesis paragraph for
day for MW students to apply feedback)
and two for
Responding to literature
TTH*
Reference list requirements

13 April 24 Response practice + working with required

vocabulary

Part 3 of the lit review (3rd synthesis paragraph +

response + reference list) due by end of second
session (submit to turnitin) – refer to instructor to
know if this will take place in class or can be
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submitted from home

14 May 2
*holiday on TTH sections may have an asynchronous session on
T May 2 – refer to instructor
May 1 (M)
Vocab practice + review for final exam

15 May 8 First session: Language and Vocab Quiz

Second session: Review for final exam

16 May 15 and Final exam review
16 – last two
days of
classes
Teaching Strategy and Guidelines
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The teaching and learning in this class consist of lecturing, whole-class discussion, small-group
discussion, informal exploratory writing, formal assessed writing and critical reading. Being present
in class and participating actively is important for your understanding of and ability to use the
information, concepts and skills that are integral to the course as well as the practice you gain in
using English. You will be given feedback on your written work in this course and be required to
redraft and improve it.
Student Work Evaluation

To qualify for a make-up, students must submit an excuse to their instructor no later than 48
hours after the missed assessment. If an excuse is not submitted or not accepted, then a grade of
0 for the percentage of that missed assessment will be calculated in the final grade.

Assessment 1: Critical Analysis Essay/700-800 20%

words
Assessment 2: (approximately 1500 words
total)
Part 1: Matrix 10%
Part 2: First 3 paragraphs (intro, synth1, 20%
synth2)
Part 3: Last 2 paragraphs (synth3, response, 10%
reference list)
Part 4: Language and vocab quiz 5%
Final Exam 35%

*According to the FAS Guidelines for Penalizing Academic Transgressions there is an

automatic late penalty of minus 5 points for every day a portion of an assignment is not
submitted up to 5 teaching days. After 5 teaching days the assignment receives a 0. NB:
Without an accepted excuse for the delay, no assignment will be accepted 24 hours past the
due date and time and 1minute past the due date/time will result in a 5 pt. penalty
Drop Period Ends: Tuesday, May 2
Reading Period: May 17-18
Final Exam Period: May 19-29

Academic rules and regulations are to be followed according to the policies and guidelines of the University,
as laid out in the Catalogue (particularly the sections on Attendance and Academic Behavior).

1. Students are expected to attend all classes and laboratory sessions

2. Absence, whether excused or not, from any class or laboratory session does not excuse students from
their responsibility for the work done or for any announcements made during their absence.
3. A student who misses one-sixth of the course sessions (5 classes for a 3 credit course) may be dropped
from the course. No warning notice will be issued; it is the responsibility of the student to monitor
his/her attendance. The student will be notified in writing when the permitted number of absences is
exceeded and he/she has been dropped from the course, and is advised to officially withdraw from the
course before the end of the drop period otherwise he/she will earn a WF as a final course grade.
4. If the number of missed sessions exceeds more than one-sixth of the course sessions after the drop
deadline, the student will receive a grade of WF. A WF grade is counted as a numerical grade of 40
for the course in computing the student’s averages.

It is expected that the students carry themselves with the utmost ethical and professional manner at all
times and in particular during lectures, and dealing with each other.
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The University of Balamand is committed to a policy of honesty in academic affairs. Examples of conduct for
which students may be subject to academic and/or disciplinary penalties including expulsion are:
1. Cheating, whereby non-permissible written, visual, or oral assistance, including that obtained from
another student, is used during examinations, course assignments, or projects. The unauthorized
possession or use of examination or course-related material may also constitute cheating.
2. Plagiarism, whereby another person’s work is deliberately used or appropriated without any indication of
the source, thereby attempting to convey the impression that such work is the student’s own.

Note: A student who has assisted another student in any of the aforementioned breaches of standards shall be
considered equally culpable. In case of cheating or plagiarism, the instructor may take appropriate academic
action ranging from loss of credit for a specific assignment, examination, or project to removal from the
course with grade of 40. Additionally, the instructor may request disciplinary action through the
Disciplinary Committee as outlined in the Student Life section. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences has adopted
a policy document titled, Guidelines for Penalizing Academic Transgressions. This policy document includes
penalties for late submission of assignments as well as grade penalties for levels of plagiarism and cheating on
exams. Of course, University policy regarding academic dishonesty supersedes Faculty policies. Professors
will implement the guidelines and inform students of the penalties at the beginning of the term. Students can
obtain a copy of the document from the office of the Dean of FAS. Make-Up examination: Students who
miss a regular examination for a valid reason must present an excuse to the Dean’s/Director’s office within 2
days of the test date. Original documents are required at the time the student returns to the University. In this
case, a make-up test will be assigned. No exceptions to this policy shall be considered. Final examinations:
Students who miss a final examination shall receive an incomplete grade (I) if they present a valid excuse as
described above and if they have a passing grade in the course up to the final examination. A make-up for the
final examination shall be given, in this case, according to the policies of the University. No exceptions to this
policy shall be considered. Student must consult the Undergraduate Student Catalog (Catalogue) for exact
policies.