English

In this course, students learn to write clearly and effectively for defined audiences through a variety of writing strategies, behaviors, habits, and attitudes.  Emphasis is on the writing process from prewriting through drafting, revising, and editing. Students gain confidence through learning basic writing principles of effective expository composition and the application of these principles in writing essays and documented papers.  Resources for this class may include texts, library and electronic resources, and personal experiences.

Course Workshop Description:
All students will be required to register for a 50-minute workshop session alongside College Composition. Each College Composition course has a workshop directly preceding or following its meeting times. Asynchronous sections of College Composition cover the workshop through 50-minute Zoom meetings. In the workshop, students will receive individualized, assignment-based support, and targeted, review-based instruction. The workshop is designed to serve as a reinforcement of the College Composition curriculum.
Students may “test out” of the workshop after the first paper if they meet the following conditions:
•    Their paper average is a B or higher
•    Their overall average is a B or higher
 

This course will provide a forum for students to practice and develop effective communication skills for the purpose of addressing diverse audiences with confidence and competence.  Using a variety of instructional strategies students will learn to research, outline, and deliver speeches appropriate for the setting and population.  Students will study speech fundamentals and delivery strategies and learn to adapt purpose and message based on audience analysis.  Special attention will be given to critical listening skills and ethical considerations.

Applying principles used in business and industry, this course prepares students to use a variety of written and oral communication styles within the professional community.  Students will create and analyze workplace documents to include resumes, memos, instructions, reports, and proposals as well as create visual presentations using appropriate software applications.  Special attention will be given to design, layout, audience, and purpose for both oral and written assignments.  Students will also practice interviewing and engaging in peer conferencing and feedback for the purpose of constructive improvement and revision.

This course will provide a co-requisite writer’s workshop for students who place below the cut-off for college level writing.

The Research Essay builds directly on the skills and attitudes developed in College Composition. Students will reach beyond personal knowledge toward expertise through research. Writing a variety of academic papers with strong emphasis on a research essay, students become active investigators, synthesizing traditional sources and personal expertise to combine insight and evidence.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to American Literature through reading and responding to texts concurrent with the chronology of American history, from its beginnings to contemporary times.  Each of the readings will be examined within the context of the character and history of United States literature and its movements.  The course covers the evolution of literature as a contributing factor to the continuing development of a nation. Students will demonstrate deeper understanding of how a history’s literature allows for a perspective on its humanity.

Building on writing principles and critiquing abilities learned in College Composition, students will explore the art of creative writing by writing both fiction and poetry. Through writing exercises completed both in and out of class, participating in workshop discussion, and reading a variety of established voices in poetry and fiction, students will develop a sense of the basic tools of creative writing. With an emphasis on sharing work and giving constructive criticism, this class will enable students to make choices about drafting and revising their literary pieces and to work to develop their own individual style. A final portfolio of revised and polished pieces of writing representative of the semester’s work will be completed.

In this course, students will read, analyze, interpret, discuss, and write about short fiction. Readings will include various forms of the story, as well as stories from different culture, countries and centuries. Emphasis will be on the close, careful reading of text, and students will be introduced to the concepts and terminology of prose literature, including plot, conflict, characterization, theme, point of view, and imagery. 

Building on writing principles and critiquing abilities learned in College Composition I, students will begin to investigate the differences between prose and poetry. Through exercises and revision, and especially by reading and discussing some contemporary poems, students will learn to recognize and employ poetic craft techniques. Through peer feedback workshops, students will learn what does, and what does not, work in their own poems. 

Building on writing principles and critiquing abilities learned in College Composition I, students will begin to explore the art of creating a successful short story. Through reading a variety of established voices in contemporary fiction, completing writing exercises both in and out of class and participating in workshop discussion, students will develop a sense of the basic tools of fiction. With an emphasis on sharing work and giving constructive criticism, this class will enable students to make choices about drafting and revising their stories and to develop their own individual style.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to World Literature through reading and responding to geographically and historically diverse texts. Texts will be analyzed and interpreted through a wide variety of lenses, with emphasis on historical, cultural, and biographical contexts, as appropriate. Students will demonstrate deeper understanding of how literature reflects, responds to, and shapes the human experience.

This course presents children's literature from infancy to adolescence. The course utilizes a transactional view of reading and a variety of writing assignments. Students will examine a wide range of genres to develop their abilities to appreciate, critique, and select high quality children's literature. Students will also become familiar with resources available on children's literature and will discuss current issues and trends in the field.