The work of the university is to construct and share knowledge. Because this work is done largely by means of the written word, it is important for students to gain control over written language.
Proficiency in reading, research, and written expression is essential for professional success and effective citizenship.
Student Learning Outcomes
After completing Composition I, successful students shall be able to do the following:
- Demonstrate engagement with a writer’s content and purpose;
- Craft thesis-driven writing using appropriate organization and language; and
- Explain their own processes for writing.
After completing Composition II, successful students shall be able to do the following:
- Analyze a writer’s argument using key rhetorical concepts;
- Design written arguments for a specific audience and purpose;
- Incorporate appropriate sources to support an argument; and
- Employ effective structure, paragraphs, sentences, and language.
After completing the writing in the discipline course(s), students shall be able to do the following:
- Demonstrate further development of the writing skills learned in foundational composition courses;
- Engage in the major discipline's research practices, using the databases, bibliographies, and documentation conventions appropriate to the discipline;
- Use the writing strategies and genres expected in the relevant academic and professional communities; and
- Demonstrate command of the major discipline's discourse practices, vocabulary, and style.
Fundamental Academic Skills
English & Writing, Public Speaking, and Quantitative Literacy coursework comprise 15 hours of your general education requirements. Students must complete nine credit hours of English & Writing coursework.
The nine credit hours include English 1150 and English 1160 (students may test out of one or both courses), and one additional advanced writing course or equivalent set of writing-intensive courses. The advanced or writing-intensive courses are determined by the academic program.
The foundational writing courses (Composition I and Composition II) provide instruction in general academic literacy while advanced writing and writing-intensive courses, preferably taken in the student's major, introduce research and language practices specific to the disciplines.
Learn more about Fundamental academic skills
This list of English & Writing courses have been approved for inclusion in the general education curriculum.
English & Writing Approved Courses
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits | Prerequisite |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1150/1154 | Composition I | 3 | YES |
| ENGL 1160/1164 | Composition II - either ENGL 1160/1164 or ENGL 2160 may be taken but not both | 3 | YES |
| ENGL 2160 | Honors Composition: Reasoning & Research - either ENGL 2160 or ENGL 1160/1164 may be taken but not both | 3 | YES |
| Writing in the Discipline | Refer to your major's requirements and advisor for courses approved for your degree program |