raritan valley community college academic course outline engl 111

RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ACADEMIC COURSE OUTLINE
ENGL 111: ENGLISH COMPOSITION I
I. Basic Course Information
A. Course Number and Title: ENGL 111 English Composition I
B. New or Modified Course: Modified
C. Date of Proposal: Spring Semester 2010
D. Sponsoring Department: English
E. Semester Credit Hours: 3
F. Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture 3
G. Prerequisite: Grade of A in ENGL 050 or ENGL 060, grade of B in ENGL 050 or
ENGL 060 with corequisite of ENGL 070, or appropriate score on placement test.
H. Laboratory Fees: None
I. Name and Telephone Number or E-Mail Address of Department Chair:
Christine Pipitone-Herron, cpipiton@raritanval.edu
II. Catalog Description
Prerequisites: Grade of A in ENGL 050 or ENGL 060, grade of B in ENGL 050 or ENGL 060
with corequisite of ENGL 070, or appropriate score on placement test. The central purposes of
English Composition I are greater fluency and greater control of language and the conventions of
grammar and mechanics. Some essays may be drawn from personal experience, but the
emphasis is on expository types such as comparison-contrast essays, argumentative essays,
critical analysis, and analytical integration of readings. A research paper is required. Non-graded
but required writing, such as journal, may be assigned. Student critiques of each other's papers
are important components of some sections of the course.

II. Statement of Course Need
English Composition I is a first-semester composition course that, together with English
Composition II, is a requirement of all degree-seeking students. The course is designed to
prepare students with the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills important for success in
courses in college disciplines.
IV. Place of Course in College Curriculum
A. Free Elective
B. The course serves as a General Education Elective in English Composition.
C. English Composition I is required of all degree-seeking students.
D. Course transferability: English Composition I is transferable.
V. Outline of Course Content
A. Close reading, analysis, and synthesis of themes drawn from varied texts, as
assigned, which shall include but not be limited to non-fiction prose. Fiction,
poetry, and drama may also be used.
B. Making connections: approaches to synthesis of themes using varied
Strategies
1. Comparative mode
2. Analytical mode
3. Persuasive mode
C. The Writing Process
1. Drafting and Revision
2. Organization
3. Coherence
D. Technical Competency
1. Fluency
2. Grammar and Mechanics
E. Responsible researching skills. Class includes a required session of library
instruction or online equivalent.
1. Use and application of technology to access research
2. Proper documentation procedures
3. Integration of quoted material
4. Bibliographical forma

VI. Educational Goals and Learning Outcomes
A. General Education Goals
Students will:
1. Demonstrate a strengthening of writing skills, including fluency,
coherence, organization, and control of grammar and mechanics.
(NJ GE 1; RVCC GE 1,2)
2. Analyze various kinds of texts.
(NJ GE 1; RVCC GE 1,2)
3. Synthesize ideas in various kinds of texts.
(NJ GE 1, RVCC GE 1,2)
4. Employ responsible researching and documentation procedures.
(NJ GE 1,4,9; RVCC GE1,2,3,5))
5. Discuss work in a thoughtful, constructive manner that demonstrates
analytical thinking and close engagement with texts in small groups and/or
class dialogues.
(NJ GE 1; RVCC GE 1,2)
B. Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
1. Identify thematic connections among and between various texts.
2. Demonstrate familiarity with comparative, analytical, and persuasive
modes of writing.
3. Employ terminology appropriate for a given reading or assignment..
4. Compose and revise essays.
5. Write clearly, grammatically and fluently with focus and continuity in
standard American English in take-home and in-class writings.
6. Exhibit the ability to organize information in order to develop and
support a main idea in both in-class and take-home papers.
7. Explicate readings carefully in both written work and during class
discussion and/or group work.
VII. Modes of Teaching and Learning
Given the goals and outcomes described above, the following formats, modes, and
methods for teaching and learning are appropriate to the course:
A. Lecture/discussion
B. Small-group work, depending on the instructor
C. Student oral presentations, depending on the instructor
D. Guest speakers, as appropriate, depending on the instructor
E. Student collaboration
E. Computer-assisted instruction

VIII. Papers, Examinations, and other Assessment Instruments
The following methods may be used to assess learning outcomes:
A. Research papers
B. Examinations in the form of in-class essays
C. Formal take-home essays
D. Journals, depending on the instructor
E. Portfolios, depending on the instructor
F. Class participation
G. Oral presentations, depending on the instructor
IX. Grade Determinants
English Composition I requires: a combination of in-class and out-of-class essays totaling at least
twenty-five pages focused on analyzing and synthesizing themes among and between
assigned texts, with at least one assignment involving research; a minimum of three in-class
essays (including the final examination); class participation and preparation; group
work or group project, as assigned by the instructor; and a final examination synthesizing
two or more texts will be used to assess the students according to the outcomes listed
above and below.
X. Texts and Materials
The following types of course materials may be used:
A. Textbook of readings, such as Nancy Comley, et al, Fields of Reading;
Motives for Writing (current edition for each semester), Gary
Goshgarian, The Contemporary Reader (current edition for each semester), or Gerald
Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, They Say, I Say: With Readings (current edition for each
semester)
B. Andrea Lunsford, Easy Writer: A Pocket Reference (current edition for
each semester)
C. DVD’s
D. Audio sources
E. Web sources
(Please Note: The course outline is intended only as a guide to course content and
resources. Do not purchase textbooks based on this outline. The RVCC Bookstore is the
sole resource for the most up-to-date information about textbooks.)

XI. Resources
In addition to a regular classroom, this course will also require the use of the
library.