Program Objectives

Objectives for English 101 - Rhetoric and Composition I: Literacy and the Self

Outcomes: 

1. Academic Literacy
         Prepares students to:
   • Read and comprehend academic discourse.
   • Discover, develop and articulate ideas through discussion and writing.
   • Communicate effectively within various rhetorical contexts.
   • Reflect on their reading and writing practices.
     
     
2. Academic Discourse Conventions
         Are the basic rules for writing academic prose. These rules include:
   • Reasoned arguments.
   • Organized ideas.
   • Developed supporting evidence.
   • Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
   • Appropriate documentation and format.
   • Language appropriate to the rhetorical context.
     
     
3. Enhancement of Individual Development
         Means that, through critical thinking, reading and writing, students will:
   • Discover, develop, revise and express their ideas.
   • Become members of academic discourse communities.
   • Develop, refine and defend a personal ethos. 
   • Evaluate positions on issues from critical perspectives. 

Requirements
To achieve these goals, all English 101 students will be required to write at least 16 pages (4,500 words) of revised, finished prose, developed through a process of invention, development and revision. Assignments, either individually or in combination, will ask students to practice exposition, analysis, critique, argumentation and reflection.

Objectives for English 201 - Rhetoric and Composition II: Literacy and the World

Objectives:

1. Academic Literacy
        Enables students to:
• Employ critical thinking, reading and writing skills in order to communicate effectively within various academic contexts.
• Employ the appropriate research methods and conventions for a given context. 
• Adapt these skills to life in the university and beyond.
2. Academic Discourse Conventions
         Are the basic rules for writing academic prose. These rules include:
   • Reasoned arguments.
   • Organized ideas.
   • Developed supporting evidence.
   • Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
   • Appropriate documentation and format.
   • Language appropriate to the rhetorical context.
     
     
3. Enhancement of Cultural Awareness
         Means that, through writing and discussion, students will:
   • Discover, develop, revise and express their ideas.
   • Locate themselves as members of discourse communities.
   • Conduct research to support various forms of argument. 
   • Develop, evaluate and refine their positions with respect to those held by other members of various discourse communities. 
   • Apply their knowledge and understanding of the various forms of argument to subjects and issues in contemporary society and culture. 

Requirements
To achieve these goals, all English 201 students will be required to write at least 20 pages (6,000 words) of revised, finished prose, developed through a process of invention, development and revision. Assignments, either individually or in combination, will ask students to practice inquiring, convincing, persuading, mediating or resolving and reflecting.