COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ENGL 101 - Introduction to Academic Discourse
This course is an introduction to academic reading, writing, and vocabulary. Students are exposed to reading texts of various genres, such as encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers, and websites, and are taught strategies for dealing with them. The writing component teaches argumentation and such rhetorical modes as definition, exemplification, causal analysis, and comparison. Students are taught the writing process and introduced to paragraphing, cohesion, conciseness, unity and the use of specific detail, and are alerted to common errors in grammar and sentence structure. The vocabulary component is based on the Academic Word List, a corpus of approximately 600 words based on the most frequently occurring lexis in a broad range of academic texts. During the course, students are expected to maintain a Reading and Writing Portfolio as guided self-study.
Prerequisite: Completion of Preparatory English Program
Texts: An Introduction to Academic Discourse (online Blackboard course)
ENGL 102 - Introduction to Report Writing
Students acquire and develop the requisite skills needed to write a technical report of 1000 to 1200 words, using a variety of sources, on a themed topic. Students hone these skills through a number of shorter writing exercises meant to emulate all aspects of a full report. They are introduced to basic research skills involving the Internet and the University’s databases and print collection. They are introduced to the APA style of documentation. They are taught about document design, evaluating sources, summarizing, outlining, note taking, drafting, revising and editing. Academic integrity in report writing is strongly emphasized. Their reading skills are further enhanced through exposure to a variety of graphical sources such as charts, graphs and diagrams. Students are taught oral presentation skills culminating in a PowerPoint presentation based on a topic of their choosing.
Prerequisite: ENGL101
Texts: An Introduction to Report Writing (online Blackboard course)
ENGL 214 - Academic & Professional Communication
Students write a 1750-word source-based report on a topic that combines
their major field of study with a particular theme. They use the APA6 style of
documentation and advanced Internet and library research skills. Instruction
includes audience analysis, narrowing and focusing a report topic, quotation,
document design, summarizing, writing a descriptive abstract, and drafting.
Academic integrity receives particular emphasis. Students are also introduced to the world of work starting with
job seeking (job applications, cover letters and emails, résumés, interviews)
and leading to the most important aspects of business correspondence (letter
formats, style, tone). Instruction is given on advanced presentation skills for
public speaking in both academic and professional environments.
Prerequisite: ENGL102
Texts: Successful Writing at Work by Philip C. Kolin, 4th ed., 2015
Academic & Professional Communication (Online Blackboard course)
