Composition Program
The English department offers several composition courses. English 1539 and 1540 are developmental; they are intended to help prepare students for the college-level writing courses (1550 and 1551). Students who complete either 1539 or 1540 with a C or better go straight to 1550. English 1550 and 1551 are considered two parts of a year-long sequence; 1550 must be taken before 1551. 1550H and 1551H are Honors sections; most students in those sections are members of the Scholars & Honors programs.
Department of English General Syllabi
Below are the general syllabi for each course in the Composition Program. They contain additional information about each course and serve as a reference for both students and instructors. Instructors' individual syllabi will include additional material.
Current course descriptions
The course descriptions below are taken directly from the current Undergraduate Student Bulletin.
1539 - Fundamentals of College Writing
Intensive individualized instruction in written communication and college-level reading practices in a computerassisted environment. Open to students based on their Composition and Reading Placement Test results; does not count toward the graduation requirement in composition. Grading for English 1539 is ABC/NC. 4 s.h.
1540 - Introduction to College Writing
Practice in adapting college-level writing conventions, organizational strategies, and revision and editing techniques to a variety of writing tasks. Focus on responding to written texts in ways that demonstrate expressive, analytical, and evaluative thinking. Students divide their time between regular classrooms and computer classrooms, where they have the opportunity to acquire and develop basic word-processing and electronic communication skills. Does not count toward the graduation requirement in composition. Open to students on the basis of Composition and Reading Test results. Grading is ABC/NC. 3 s.h.
1550 - Writing 1
Strategies for writing as a means of critical inquiry, with focus on writing processes and on the roles of writer, audience, and purpose as they affect writing. Students divide their time be- tween regular classrooms and computer classrooms, where they have the opportunity to acquire and develop basic word-processing and electronic communication skills. Open to students on the basis of Composition and Reading Test results or successful completion of ENGL 1539 or ENGL 1540. Grading is ABC/NC. 3 s.h.
1550H - Honors Writing 1
Strategies for writing as a means of critical inquiry, with focus on writing processes and on the roles of writer, audience, and purpose as they affect writing. Writing assignments treat a broad range of ideas, especially in response to challenging readings. Stylistic experimentation is encouraged so that each student can develop a distinctive writing style. Students divide their time between regular classrooms and computer classrooms, where they have the opportunity to acquire and develop basic word-processing and electronic communication skills. Prereq.: Eligibility for the Honors program and permit on the basis of Composition and Reading Test results or upon recommendation of 1550 instructor and approval of the Director of Composition. Grading is ABC/NC. 3 s.h.
1551 - Writing 2
Practice in writing with emphasis on the process of investigation: exploration of topics, formulation of tentative theses, collection of data from suitable primary and secondary sources, and clear and appropriate presentation of the results of these inquiries. Students divide their time between regular classrooms and computer classrooms, where they have the opportunity to perform research on the World Wide Web. Prereq.: ENGL 1550 or Composition and Reading Test results. Grading is ABC/NC. 3 s.h.
1551H - Honors Writing 2
Research on a topic of some depth, conducted independently and focused on a single project that results in a substantial investigative paper. Students divide their time between regular classrooms and computer classrooms, where they have the opportunity to perform research on the World Wide Web. Prereq.: Eligibility for the Honors Program and either ENGL 1550H or recommendation of ENGL 1550 instructor and approval of Director of Composition. Grading is ABC/NC. 3 s.h.