COMPOSITION PROGRAM OVERVIEW

       In the Composition Program at Southern Polytechnic State University, we strive to provide students with theoretically grounded writing courses.  These courses address the writing skills students will need in their scholastic career here at the University and in their future professional and personal lives.  The courses support the general education outcomes of communication and critical thinking as we present writing, reading and research as a way to think and learn.

A strong group of dedicated teachers provides dynamic writing classes based on the most up-to-date writing classroom theory and pedagogy.  Our program is also tied to the university mission of incorporating writing and technology as we teach courses in our Computer Writing Classroom (a networked writing environment) and provide instruction for important technological and research skills.

SPSU COMPOSITION PROGRAM: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Writing Program at Southern Polytechnic State University is defined by a common set of guidelines and objectives found in the department Course Syllabi for 1101 and 1102 (Refer to Course Syllabi 1101 and 1102 for more information).  Communally designed by the Composition Committee, these courses are based on current research and pedagogy in composition studies.  The courses stress the following ideas about writing:

• Writing is a series of recursive processes that include invention, drafting, revising, and editing.

• Writing should be seen as a meaning-making activity.

• Writing is both a personal and social activity.

• Writing classes should involve the related language activities of writing, reading, speaking, and thinking.

• Writing is a rhetorical act that asks students to write for varied purposes and audiences.

OVERVIEW CATALOG DESCRIPTIONS - ENGL 1101 AND 1102

The Introductory Composition Courses at Southern Polytechnic State University are designed in accordance with the requirements and expectations of the University System of Georgia Guidelines.  The catalog descriptions read as follows:

• ENGL 1101 – English Composition I

A composition course focusing on skills required for effective writing in a variety of contexts with emphasis on exposition, analysis, and argumentation and also including introductory use of a variety of research skills.  Includes Regents’ Essay Practice and work in the Learning Resources Center as required.  Final grade of “C” or better necessary to receive course credit.

• Provide a rhetorical context for writing by establishing the writer’s role, the audience and the purpose of the essay.

• Write thoughtful, clear, well-organized  expository, analytical, and argumentative essays making use of information and ideas introduced through assigned reading and class discussion.

• Read and critically respond to peer texts and their own texts.

• Understand and follow grammatical conventions, as well as punctuation and other mechanical elements of composition.

• Draft, revise and edit their own work.

• Understand basic research strategies including citation, interpretation, and assimilation.

• Demonstrate the ability to generate clear, coherent, organized timed-writing as a preparation for the Regents’ Essay.

• ENGL 1102 – English Composition II
  Prerequisite: “C” or better in ENGL 1101

A composition course that develops writing skills beyond the levels of proficiency required by ENGL 1101, that emphasizes interpretation and evaluation, and that incorporates a variety of more advanced research methods.  Includes work in the Learning Resources Center, as required.

• Provide a rhetorical context for writing by establishing the writer’s role, the audience, and the purpose of the essay.
• Write thoughtful, clear, well-organized essays (including a research essay) making use of information and ideas introduced through assigned readings and class discussion.
• Read and respond to various texts from multiple genres for purposes of interpretation, analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and judgment.
• Read and critically respond to peer texts and their own texts.
• Understand and follow grammatical conventions, as well as punctuation and other mechanical elements of composition.
• Draft, revise and edit their own work.
• Understand more advanced research strategies that include the location, incorporation, and documentation of sources outside the classroom (library, Internet, interviews, etc.).
• Demonstrate the ability to generate clear, coherent, organized timed-writing as a preparation for the Regents’ Essay. 

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The following professors serve on the Composition Committee and regularly teach English 1101 and 1102 courses.  

Our program is also supported by the hard work of our part-time instructors.  The following instructors teach ENGL 1101 and 1102 Spring 2000.

IMPORTANT WRITING PROGRAM CONTACTS:  

* All numbers begin with 678-915 + Phone ext.

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