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Composition Program - Curriculum |
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The Composition Curriculum
The Department of English has adopted this statement of the general aims of the first and second composition courses: "The purpose of freshman English is to improve the student's ability to use language effectively in reading and writing and to improve his reading comprehension. The effective use of language is an art, not merely a skill. It can be learned and improved. All arts involve the adaptation of means to ends. Continued human experience with an art involves following certain procedures effectively and efficiently to achieve these ends. These procedures then are formulated into a body of knowledge governed by a set of standards that must be followed if success in that art is to be achieved. The criteria for the effective use of language can be classified into the rules of grammar, rhetoric, and logic. The aim of all freshman courses is to familiarize the student with the standards of contemporary American usage and to provide him with opportunities for putting these into practice in writing."
These general goals for all freshman writing courses are limited more specifically in adopted descriptions of the separate courses. The goals for EN 0103, EN 1103, and EN 1113, are as follows:
Freshman Course OfferingsEN 0103. Basic English. (3 credits) (Prerequisite: A score below 17 on the English section of the ACT). This course stresses grammar and mechanics as the foundation for the effective organization and presentation of ideas in writing. The course emphasizes the word, the sentence, and the paragraph as compositional components. The readings are short expository writings that serve as models of standard American usage and as examples of organizational strategies. Students scoring 17 or 18 on the ACT English section are also urged to consider taking English 0103 before taking EN 1103. EN 1103. English Composition I. (3 credits) (Prerequisite: A score of or between 17 and 28 on the English section of the ACT or EN 0103). This course stresses the elementary principles of logic and rhetoric that govern effective organization and presentation of ideas in writing. Instruction in grammar and mechanics is minimal. The course emphasizes appropriate limitation of topic and the development of a thesis in a unified, coherent piece of writing. The readings are expository writings that serve as models of standard American usage and as examples of organizational strategies. EN 1113. English Composition II. (3 credits) (Prerequisite: EN 1103, 1163, or 1103H). This course provides an expanded study of and practice in sty1istics, logic, and research as contributions to analytical writing. It reinforces the content of the prerequisite course by expanded study of and practice in stylistics, logic, and mechanics of research. The diverse readings function as source materials for analytical writing. EN 1163. Accelerated Composition I. (3 credits) (Prerequisite: A score of 29 or above on the English section of the ACT or consent of the instructor). Three lectures. An expanded study of and practice in stylistics, logic, and research as contributions to expository writing, designed for students who exhibit command of basic rhetorical principles. EN 1173. Accelerated Composition II. (3 credits) (Prerequisite: EN 1163 or consent of the instructor). Three lectures. An expanded study of and practice in stylistics, logic and research as contributions to argumentative writing, with emphasis on extensive study of diverse rhetorical models. EN 1103H. Honors Composition I. (3 credits) (Prerequisite: For students in the Shackouls Honor College or by invitation). Three lectures. The analytical study and frequent practice of interdisciplinary writing, with emphasis on extensive study of diverse rhetorical models. EN 1113H. Honors Composition II. (3 credits) (Prerequisite: EN 1103H or by invitation). Three lectures. Continuation of EN 1103H. |
For questions or information about this page contact: Marty Price
Last Modified: Sept. 3, 2007