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Departmental Course Outline Form

Abbreviated Title (25 chars max): Writing & Research Skills

Course Title: Writing And Research Skills

Dept Abbr(s): ENG

Course Number:
Lecture Hours:
Lab Hours:
Total (min-max) Credits:
Registration Tally:

1108
4

4 -
28

Catalog Description:
Emphasizes critical writing, reading, and thinking with attention to rhetorical elements such as
argumentative structure, audience, and purpose. Students learn types of college writing and research
techniques; report, synthesize, and draw conclusions from their readings; document the use of sources;
and practice the writing process.
Prerequisites: Recommended by Accuplacer assessment or Grade of C or higher in Read 93/94 and Eng
99.
Topics: Topics covered and time allotments.
Rhetorical elements
Expository writing techniques
Persuasive/argumentative writing techniques
Introduction to research skills
Critical responses to texts
Elements of logical reasoning
Revision and editing skills
MLA and APA documentation standards
--It is unrealistic to assign time allotments to these topics because they overlap in significant ways. For
example, students will investigate rhetorical elements while they demonstrate expository writing
techniques and revise/edit.
If Qualifying Request for MN Transfer Curriculum, check here
and select 1 or 2 Goals and their Competencies:

1st Goal: 1. Communication

Get Competencies
Competencies:
a.
Understand/demonstrate the writing and speaking processes through invention, organization,
drafting, revision, editing and presentation
c.
Locate, evaluate, and synthesize in a responsible manner material from diverse sources and points of
view
d. Select appropriate communication choices for specific audiences
e.
Construct logical and coherent arguments
f.
Use authority, point-of-view, and individual voice and style in their writing and speaking
g.
Employ syntax and usage appropriate to academic disciplines and the professional world
2nd Goal: 2. Critical Thinking
Get Competencies
Competencies:
a.
Gather factual information and apply it to a given problem in a manner that is relevant, clear,
comprehensive, and conscious of possible bias in the information selected.
b.
Imagine and seek out a variety of possible goals, assumptions, interpretations, or perspectives which
can give alternative meanings or solutions to given situations or problems.
c.
Analyze the logical connections among the facts, goals, and implicit assumptions relevant to a
problem or claim; generate and evaluate implications that follow from them.

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Form last updated: 8/23/07 9:09AM

Document Number:
OUTCOMES:
(Include thinking skills/thinking abilities
objective(s). A minimum of four measurable course
outcomes required.)
- Respond critically to texts
- Demonstrate knowledge of the writing process
- Write effective argumentative and expository
essays in formal edited English
- Document use of sources appropriately

OUTCOME MEASURES:
(Indicate any activity that demonstrates student
competence and ways in which the faculty member
will ascertain the student learning outcomes.)
- Formal and informal essays (expository/
argumentative)
- Revisions
- Written critical responses to texts
- Tests, quizzes

Which of the college-wide learning outcomes does this course investigate?

Communication
Critical Thinking
Civic Engagement
None of the Outcomes

If Special Course Fee, check here

Semesters offered (check appropriate semester(s)):

Evaluate/Grading System (check):

Fall:

Every Fall

Spring:

Every Spring

Summer:

Every Summer

A F:
P / F:
A-NC Dev. Only:

All changes are effective the next Fall semester unless noted

Both:

Submitted by:
Name(s): English Department (Richard Jewell)
Email(s) to receive copies. Tab after each entry:
2 emails in list: richard@jewell.net
CURRICULUM COMMITTEE ACTION:
Academic Council Chair

Date Approved

Primary CIP Code:

Email to Judy
LeMire and Close
Document

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Form last updated: 8/23/07 9:09AM