Course Descriptions and Learning Outcomes
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Engl 1101. English Composition I. (3)

Description: This course is designed to increase the student's ability to construct written prose of various kinds. It focuses on methods of organization, analysis, research skills, and the production of short argumentative and expository essays; readings consider issues of contemporary
social and cultural concern. A passing grade is C.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • engage in writing as a process, including various invention heuristics (brainstorming, for example), gathering evidence, considering audience, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading
  • engage in the collaborative, social aspects of writing, and use writing as a tool for learning
  • use language to explore and analyze contemporary multicultural, global, and international questions
  • demonstrate how to use writing aids, such as handbooks, dictionaries, online aids, and tutors
  • gather, summarize, synthesize, and explain information from various sources
  • use grammatical, stylistic, and mechanical formats and conventions appropriate for a variety of audiences
  • critique their own and others' work in written and oral formats
  • produce coherent, organized, readable prose for a variety of rhetorical situations
  • reflect on what contributed to their writing process and evaluate their own work


Engl 1102. English Composition II. (3)

Prerequisite: grade of C or higher in Engl 1101. This course is designed to develop writing skills beyond the levels of proficiency required by English 1101. It stresses critical reading and
writing and incorporates several research methods; readings will be drawn from a wide variety of texts. A passing grade is C.

In addition to the skills acquired in Engl 1101, by the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • analyze, evaluate, document, and draw inferences from various sources
  • identify, select, and analyze appropriate research methods, research questions, and evidence for a specific rhetorical situation
  • use argumentative strategies and genres in order to engage various audiences
  • integrate others' ideas with their own
  • use grammatical, stylistic, and mechanical formats and conventions appropriate to rhetorical situations and audience constraints
  • produce well reasoned, argumentative essays demonstrating rhetorical engagement
  • reflect on what contributed to their writing process and evaluate their own work

Engl 1103. Advanced English Composition. (3)

Prerequisite: admission by permission of department. A passing grade is C. This course is designed to help students develop sophisticated written texts. It emphasizes critical reading, analysis, and writing while incorporating advanced research methods. In addition, because it replaces English 1101 and 1102, it incorporates the primary goals of each of those courses but also emphasizes more intensive analysis.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • engage in writing as a process, including various invention heuristics, gathering evidence, considering audience, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading
  • demonstrate the collaborative, social aspects of writing, including the ability to use writing as a tool for learning
  • analyze, evaluate, document, and draw inferences from various sources
  • identify, select, and analyze appropriate research methods, questions, and evidence for a specific rhetorical situation
  • use grammatical, stylistic, and mechanical formats and conventions appropriate to various audiences and disciplines
  • integrate others' ideas with their own produce well reasoned, argumentative essays demonstrating rhetorical engagement
  • produce well reasoned, argumentative essays demonstrating rhetorical engagement
  • reflect on what contributed to their writing process and evaluate their own work