These strategies encourage students to explore how individual experience, the discourse conventions of various communities to which writers and readers belong, and the social and cultural attitudes toward language and text, all affect the negotiation between writer and reader. Readings range from informative and persuasive texts, such as newspaper or magazine articles, editorials, and advertisements, to works of fiction such as novels, short stories, plays, poems, essays, reports, letters, and reviews. The experiences offered by these courses help students attain a level of literacy necessary to their success as students, professionals, and citizens in a democracy. The Guide contains Composition Program policies, course descriptions, sample assignments, model essays, and information about grading and responding to writing. For more on research, see the Student's Guide.
Attendance is mandatory.
Composition courses are workshop classes which included in-class writing, peer group work and conferences. Students should not be late. If you miss class, contact your instructor as soon as possible to discuss your absence. Students not in class when writing is assigned are still responsible for completion of the assignment when due. Late work will not be accepted without penalty unless students make arrangements for an extension before the due date Students are required to keep copies of all drafts and major assignments until after the end of the semester.