Approaches to University Writing
Fall 2011 Syllabus
Course Description and Format
Approaches to University Writing, Engl 113 is a course designed to meet the needs of entering first year students
scoring 120-141 on the English Placement Test (EPT). 113 Students are concurrently enrolled in two hours of
Supplemental Instruction (University 061/062) per week, for which they will receive an additional unit of
non-baccalaureate credit. The supplemental Instruction sessions are led by experienced peers, students who
have successfully completed writing courses and have been recommended by two or more faculty members.
Participation in University 061/062 is a requirement.
This course offers an intensive study of reading, writing and critical thinking skills, focusing on the
types of
reading and writing expected in college. This course will:
-
Emphasize the basics of the writing process and build upon the skills you have already developed.
-
Improve your ability to organize information and ideas through reading, writing, and discussion.
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Help you to produce writing which demonstrates appropriate grammar, sentence structure, and usage, reflecting the mature thinking of a college student.
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Help you to understand the impact of language use in a multi-cultural society and to recognize the effects of biased language on readers and writers.
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Introduce the use of email, discussion lists and research data bases and other electronic media.
This course focuses on all aspects of the writing process: pre-writing, drafting, revising.
Much of class time will be spent discussing, writing, and working in small groups, both
offline and online.
Students are strongly encouraged to use the resources of Oviatt
Library and the Learning Resource Center. We will be using CSUN's Moodle.
Course Requirements
-
In-class, timed essays (15%):
- Sample
- Response to a text
- textual analysis
- Three sets of "progressions," leading to academic papers (30%):
- Literacy Narrative
- Rhetorical Analysis
- Textual Analysis
- Portfolio
(10 %)
-
Journal: (30%). Composition book and
moodle work.
-
Class Participation (15%):
Students are required to fully participate in all classrooms activities: small group and
whole class discussions; writing workshops. Students are also required to work with the
classroom SI both in class, one-on-one, in groups, and outside the
classroom. Scheduled conferences are mandatory.
No student can receive higher than a C in 113-A without earning a CR in English 061.