Course Essentials

What is English C1000/020 all about?

In this class, we’ll grow together as a community of writers, learners, and critical thinkers. Each of you brings unique stories, ideas, and perspectives, and I’m here to help you share them with clarity and confidence.

There’s no such thing as a “bad writer” in our class—only writers in progress. We’ll encourage each other, learn from one another, and celebrate the growth we make along the way. Together, we’ll become the strongest writers we can be.

Course Description

English C1000: Freshman composition course. Students study the elements and principles of composition through the practice of writing expository essays and a research paper. Emphasizing the reading and writing processes, revision is stressed as a means of achieving effective skills in reading and writing college-level texts. Analysis of assigned readings stimulate critical thinking and serve as models of effective writing. Emphasis is on using outside sources as evidence in students’ argumentative essays and documenting source material in MLA format. The course allows students to develop metacognitive awareness of the role writing plays in their lives.

English 020: This course is designed to review and reinforce the skills necessary to be successful in English C1000 (freshman composition). Students will study the elements and principles of composition through the practice of editing and revising narrative, expository, and argumentative essays. Students will also be introduced to effective reading skills and strategies necessary for the reading of college level material. Pass/No Pass only. Non-degree applicable. ***Concurrent-enrollment support course for ENGL C1000 for students who do not meet the prerequisite for ENGL C1000.

Prerequisite

English 120/020 is an open access course.

What this course will be about:

We’ll start this course by exploring the purpose of education and reflecting on our own educational journeys. From there, we’ll dive into important social justice topics—beginning with a conversation about free speech vs. hate speech and eventually moving toward an issue you choose and care about.

My hope is that these discussions not only strengthen your writing skills but also spark thoughtful dialogue, broaden perspectives, and help you connect your voice to the issues that matter most to you.

Why this course is important to you.

Yes, you need this course to graduate or transfer—but it’s so much more than just a requirement. I know some of you may see writing as difficult or even tedious, but the ability to write clearly, share your ideas effectively, and think critically is a skill that will serve you well far beyond this class.

Whether you’re communicating with instructors, employers, your children’s schools, or anyone else, being able to express yourself clearly and confidently matters. Strong writing not only benefits you—it strengthens our community. Each of you brings unique perspectives and experiences, and sharing them here makes our class richer, more engaging, and more meaningful.

Course Organization

Our course will be divided into weekly modules. Each module will contain all the lecture materials, handouts, videos, assignments (including discussion boards, peer reviews, and quizzes), and submission links for the week. Each module will become available Sunday at 7am.

Tips for Success

Complete all reading and writing assignments on time
Annotate the readings to ensure comprehension
Enthusiastically participate in class discussion
Start your writing assignments early: create an outline, a thesis (if necessary), compile any sources thoughtfully, and leave time to thoroughly edit
Listen to your classmates and build off of their insights
Take advantage of the revision policy!  
The Disability Support Programs & Services Department can help make sure that you are receiving proper accommodations for this class.
Contact me if you need help accessing any resources on campus, and I can point you to the most appropriate resource.
Never attack another person’s input; if you disagree, say so respectfully and share why

Textbook

This is a no cost course, meaning there are no textbooks required. All of the information/readings/lectures you need will be uploaded to our Canvas container. What that means is that you want to go through our weekly modules very carefully rather than only clicking on the assignments due.

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