I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Composition I

2. Course Prefix & Number:
ENGL 1410

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 4

Lecture Hours: 4

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

The rhetorical strategies of description, narration, and exposition (including but not limited to exemplification, classification, process analysis, comparison /contrast, and definition) will be the focus of the course. A descriptive essay, a narrative essay, and five expository essays at the professor’s discretion will constitute the seven formal essay assignments. Students may also be asked to write journals, a resume and letter of application, and to review grammar.  Students will be expected to adhere to the basic writing process (brainstorming, outlining, drafting, and revision—individual and peer) and demonstrate their awareness of the following concepts in their reading and writing: thesis, audience, tone, unity, coherence, and emphasis. The course will also include a literature component (selections at professor’s discretion) to present basic critical terminology and foster critical thinking skills.

5. Placement Tests Required:

Accuplacer (specify test):

Reading

Score:

78

6. Prerequisite Courses:

7. Other Prerequisites
Successful completion of READ 1500 with a grade of C or better, or successful completion of ENGL 1596 with a grade of C or better

9. Co-requisite Courses:

There are no corequisites for this course.

II. Transfer and Articulation

3. Prior Learning - the following prior learning methods are acceptable for this course:

• Advanced Placement (AP)
• CLEP

III. Course Purpose

2. MN Transfer Curriculum (General Education) Courses - This course fulfills the following goal area(s) of the MN Transfer Curriculum:
Goal 1 – Written and Oral Communication

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate written communication skills	Construct coherent, unified essays using Standard Edited English, compose insightful journals, and recall and synthesize enough information to pass quizzes and tests. (See course description for specifics.)
Demonstrate interpersonal communication skills	Exercise appropriate classroom protocol based upon respect for one's peers while articulating well informed opinions and ideas within small groups or broader classroom discussions (in-class and/or D2L discussion board).
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Identify and demonstrate comprehension of abstracts concepts in written and oral formats, including essays, exams, and discussions, etc.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Demonstrate and understand the writing and speaking processes through invention and drafting.  MnTC Goal 1
• Organize ideas logically and appropriately to support a thesis statement.  MnTC Goal 1
• Demonstrate an understanding of the relationships among writer, audience, and purpose.  MnTC Goal 1
• Employ syntax and usage appropriate to academic disciplines and the professional world.  MnTC Goal 1
• Demonstrate and understand the writing and speaking processes through organization and revision.  MnTC Goal 1
• Demonstrate and understand the writing and speaking processes through editing and presentation.  MnTC Goal 1
• Formulate clear thesis statements.  MnTC Goal 1
• Express several points-of-view in both the written and spoken word.  MnTC Goal 1
• Employ individual voice and style in both the written and spoken word.  MnTC Goal 1
• Locate, evaluate, and synthesize in a responsible manner material from diverse sources.  MnTC Goal 1
• Make effective contributions to group activities.   MnTC Goal 1
• Listen listen effectively, and respond critically within the context of group activities.  MnTC Goal 1

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

The fundamental process of composing: thesis, brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising (tone, audience, unity, coherence, emphasis, grammar review, avoiding errors)

1. Description
• Selecting detail and Dominant Impression
• Denotation and connotation
• Figures of speech 
2. Narration
• Suspense and climax
• Time--compression, expansion, and non-chronologic
• Character and Dialogue
• Setting and detail
3. Exemplification
• Anecdote
• Description
4. Process analysis
• How to do it or how it's done
• Dividing process by steps
• Giving reasons and defining terms
5. Comparison and contrast
• Purpose:  which is better or which is which
• Don't compare apples to oranges
• Opposing pattern or alternating pattern
6. Classification
• Purpose:  to make distinctions
• The group into three or more subgroups
• A single principle of classification
• Avoiding overlap
7. Definition and/or Letter of Application and Resume
• For Definition:  Term, class, characteristics
• For Letter of Application:  researching job expectations, tone, diction
8. Literature component – assigned readings with discussion, weekly/daily at professor’s discretion, over genre specific concepts