Course Description

ENG 103: Rhetoric and Writing (3) 

Introduces students to principles of diverse rhetorics and writing processes, and to research processes and information literacy. Additionally, the course will provide students with practice analyzing how the processes and practices of language use vary across cultural and rhetorical situations. Lastly, the course emphasizes and focuses on the creation of written and multi-modal texts. This course has no prerequisites.

Course Goals

  • Identify and analyze a variety of rhetorical concepts from different cultures.
  • Assess strategies for invention, drafting, and revision for individual composing styles by setting goals and tracking growth.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the rhetorical history and impact of conventions (grammar, citation, format, and genre) as they vary by culture and discipline.
  • Engage critically and carefully as readers (and listeners) of others’ perspectives and diverse language practices.
  • Produce texts in multiple modes for different rhetorical purposes and audiences
    Incorporate evidence and synthesize information from multiple secondary sources to support a sustained argument.

Course Content and Format
The content and format of ENG 103 are designed to enable students to achieve the course goals:

  • Discuss, analyze, and respond to a variety of written and multi modal texts, from a variety of cultural and ideological perspectives.
  • Discuss and analyze the rhetorical history and impact of conventions (grammar, citation, format, and genre) as they vary by culture and diverse language practices.
  • Complete regular informal writing assignments that involve and/or attend to writing processes (invention, drafting, feedback, and revision.
  • Complete at least three (3) major projects that engage with different modes of delivery for a variety of rhetorical purposes and audiences.
    • At least one major assignment will incorporate secondary research
    • At least one major assignment will address rhetorical knowledges.
    • At least one major assignment will be multi modal.
  • Engage in practices of peer review, reflection, and revision.
  • Complete multiple formal or informal writing assignments that involve self- reflection and self-assessment of writing processes (invention, drafting, revision.

Course Requirements

Students will be evaluated on a variety of writing and composing tasks, including at least three major projects and, in varying forms and combinations short, informal writing assignments (in class or out of class), quizzes, discussion board posts, self- and peer- assessments, journals, blogs, and other assignments; students will also be evaluated on the basis of writing processes (engagement with the course, attendance and participation, invention, drafting, reflection, and revision).

In order to fulfill the University's Core Curriculum requirement in Writing Program courses, students must earn a minimum grade of C- to pass. Writing Program courses may be repeated as many times as necessary to meet the requirement but:

  • The first and all other grades will show up on the transcript.
  • Only the most recent grade earned in the course will be used to compute the cumulative GPA.
  • A grade of W will not replace a previous grade.
  • Course credit hours apply only once to graduation requirements.

NOTE: (Please see Ball Point for a more complete explanation of these policies.)

Evaluation
Students provide anonymous evaluations of the course. Instructors are urged to evaluate and revise individual syllabuses on a regular basis. ENG 103 is subject to curriculum review by the writing committee.

Approved Texts for English 103

  • The primary text for ENG 103 is Ball Point Vol. 1. Faculty may also order an approved supplemental text.