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Meet the faculty!
Meet the faculty!
Visit our faculty page to learn more about our amazing team of first-year writing instructors.
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Students complete a directed self-placement (DSP) survey to help them choose one of two tracks to fulfill their Liberal Arts curriculum first year writing requirement:
SEL107 - Composition & Culture -OR-
SEL105 and SEL106 - Composition & Culture Parts A & B
Both tracks are designed to cover the same material and lead to the same outcomes; the major difference is the pace at which the courses operate. The list below highlights key differences between the tracks.
SEL105 and SEL106
SEL105 and SEL106
Taken over two semesters
Teaches skills in critical reading and writing (SEL105 & 106) and research (106)
Offers a relaxed pace that provides more opportunities to work with an instructor
Students complete two critical essay projects and one reflection in the first semester (EL105)
Students complete a research project with a multimodal component, an oral presentation of their research, and a reflection in the second semester (EL106)
Fulfill the Liberal Arts Curriclum requirement for writing
6 credits (3 are elective credits)
SEL107
SEL107
Taken in one semester
Teaches skills in critical reading, writing, and research writing
Offers an accelerated pace for students who don't need as much instructor help
In a single semester, students complete two critical essay projects, a research project with a multimodal component, an oral presentation of their research, and a reflection project
Fulfills the Liberal Arts requirement for writing
3 credits
Sample Syllabi
Sample Syllabi
SEl105
SEl105
Composition & Culture Part A
SEL106
SEL106
Composition & Culture Part B
SEL107
SEL107
Composition & Culture
It's Your Choice: placement through the dsp
It's Your Choice: placement through the dsp
All incoming students complete the directed self placement survey or DSP prior to scheduling their first year writing class; the link to the DSP will be sent by the Admissions Office. The DSP is NOT a test; rather, it is a survey designed by SHU writing faculty to help students reflect on their experiences, attitudes, and knowledge related to writing. At the conclusion of the DSP, students receive a score and a suggested course, either EL105 or EL107. At this point, students are able to accept or reject the recommended placement.
The DSP contains 31 questions that address students' skills, abilities, and comfort levels with writing. Most questions are multiple choice. The survey takes most students between 20-60 minutes. At the end of the survey, students choose their preferred track and the results are sent to the Registrar's Office, where they are added to the students' schedules. Students have an opportunity to discuss their placement during their Setonian Days advising session and again with their writing teacher after completing a writing sample during week one of the semester.
Why do we use the DSP and not a standardized test or essay to place students? Here are a few reasons.
It gives students the opportunity to make an informed choice about their placement
It teaches students about our values and curriculum before the semester even starts
It engages students in self-reflection about themselves as writers (research indicates self-reflection is key in the transfer of knowledge, such as between secondary and postsecondary writing)
It is a local assessment, developed by the folks teaching the writing courses--the people who best know what students need to be successful in first year writing at SHU
Each semester, students enrolled in SEL106 and SEL107 present their research at the Celebration of Writing, a campus-wide event that provides students with an opportunity to share what they've learned with our campus community! Learn more about the Celebration of Writing in this video or by visiting our COW page!
The Writing Center
The Writing Center
The Writing Program works closely with the university Writing Center. All sections of first-year writing attend an orientation session during the first weeks of the fall semester to learn more about the services offered by the Writing Center staff. Students are able to request free appointments with trained Writing Center peer consultants throughout their career at SHU. For more information, visit the Writing Center's website or contact the Writing Center Director, Kim Pennesi (pennesi@setonhill.edu).
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