Course Syllabus
Course: ENGL 2040
Division: Humanities
Department: English & Philosophy
Title: Intro. to Writing Studies: Arts of Persuasion
Semester Approved: Spring 2024
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2028
End Semester: Fall 2029
Catalog Description: This course offers an introduction to the study and practice of persuasion. Students will examine writing both as an activity and object of study as they consider the historical, social, linguistic, and rhetorical aspects of written communication. This course serves as a foundational requirement for the Certificate of Proficiency in Writing and Rhetoric.
Semesters Offered: TBA
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: ENGL 1010 (if necessary, may be taken concurrently)
Justification: This course is one of the foundational requirements for the Certificate of Proficiency in Writing and Rhetoric. It also offers an introduction to Writing Studies, a growing discipline in English and a major driver of employment opportunities for English majors. It is similar to other courses offered in the state (ENGL 2040 at Salt Lake Community College and WRTG 2040 at the University of Utah) and brings Snow College’s course offerings in line with the ongoing growth of Writing Studies across the nation.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate knowledge of key rhetorical theories, movements, and practices. This will be assessed through writing assignments, quizzes/tests, and projects.
Students will apply rhetorical theory in analyzing and critiquing discourse from a variety of contexts. This will be assessed through reflections, projects, and writing assignments.
Students will apply rhetorical knowledge in composing texts that are appropriate for a range of rhetorical contexts. This will be assessed through writing assignments and projects.
Students will connect course material to their own professional and academic goals. This will be assessed through the certificate plan.
Content:
This course serves as an introduction to writing studies as a discipline and as a foundational requirement for the Certificate of Proficiency in Writing and Rhetoric. It introduces students to diverse perspectives on history, theory and practice from across writing studies fields (including rhetoric, composition, professional communication and literacy). The breadth of course content and assignments will engage a diverse student population as students are encouraged to learn concepts and develop skills in connection to their lives and priorities that will make them effective communicators in various professional, academic, and personal contexts as well as across various modalities (print, digital media, etc.).
Key Performance Indicators:
Writing certificate plan (required) 10 to 15%
Application Project (required) 15 to 25%
Writing Process Reflection 15 to 20%
Service learning writing project 0 to 20%
Quizzes/Tests 10 to 20%
Writing Assignments 10 to 20%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Open source/free materials strongly encouraged; instructor may choose a textbook or reader, such as the following:
Foss, Sonja K. Rhetorical Criticism: Exploration and Practice.
Hauser, Gerard. Introduction to Rhetorical Theory.
Losh, Elizabeth et al. Understanding Rhetoric: A Graphic Guide to Writing
Lynn, Steven. Rhetoric and Composition: An Introduction
Pedagogy Statement:
This is a writing-intensive course that will be taught primarily through discussion, reflection, and peer review. It introduces students to diverse perspectives on writing and rhetoric and relies on inclusive teaching practices to encourage students to find meaningful applications of relevant knowledge and to ensure that all students will have the opportunity to learn. It may also include inclusive, high-impact practices such as ePortfolios, service learning, and collaborative assignments.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Online
Maximum Class Size: 20
Optimum Class Size: 15
