Learning Outcomes

English Composition

English composition courses emphasize formal instruction in writing that integrates reading, thinking, and writing skills transferable to a wide variety of college courses and experiences. These courses include at least a full semester sequence of frequent and regular writing assignments that build sequentially on students' ability to read critically, summarize, apply, analyze, and synthesize what they have read, discussed, and researched. English composition courses emphasize the development of students' ideas in the context of ongoing cultural, scholarly, and professional "conversations," clarity of expression, and organization, in addition to correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and citation; and they involve rigorous draft feedback and evaluation using appropriate rubrics.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students proficient in English composition will demonstrate the ability to

  1. employ strategies of pre-writing, drafting, and revising, taking into consideration rhetorical purpose, the knowledge and needs of different audiences, and the feedback of instructors and peers;
  2. produce substantial revisions of drafts, as distinguished from editing and proofreading;
  3. read critically, summarize, apply, analyze, and synthesize information and concepts in written and visual sources as the basis for developing their own ideas and claims;
  4. conduct inquiry-driven research, using appropriate data repositories and properly attributing and citing the language and ideas of others to avoid plagiarism;
  5. develop a focused thesis and link it to appropriate reasons and adequate evidence;
  6. use genre conventions and structure (e.g., introductions, paragraphing, transitions) in ways that serve the development and communication of information and ideas;
  7. edit such that choices in style, grammar, spelling, and punctuation contribute to the clear communication of information and ideas.

A minimum grade of C– in an approved course is required to show proficiency in English composition.

Courses that fulfill the GenEd English Composition requirement

Academic Bulletins

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