English Courses

Writing Center

In this course, students will complete a series of writing assignments designed specifically for their course and writing level. Writing Center tutors and instructors evaluate each assignment based on assignment objectives and encourage revision when necessary. ENG 000 is a required co-requisite for all students enrolled in ENG 100, ENG 111, and ESL 168.

ENG 100

Introduction to Technical and Workplace Writing

In this course, students learn how to write effective technical and workplace documents such as emails, letters, memos, invoices, work orders, labor reports, résumés, and short reports. Students write documents in response to situations that they will likely encounter on the job. Emphasis will be placed on planning and writing clear, concise, and audience-focused documents. During the first week of class, students must demonstrate a writing proficiency at the college level. Writing Center assignments are built into this course. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Technical and Workplace Writing Supplemental Support

In this course, students will receive supplemental instruction and support in the reading and writing techniques needed for ENG 100. Students will practice critical reading skills as well as clear and concise writing appropriate for the workplace. Special attention will be given to specific types of workplace documents and identifying sources appropriate for inclusion in report-based writing. Students will also be required to access resources across campus to aid in the successful completion of both this course and ENG 100. This course will be required for students who are not at college-level reading and writing but wish to take ENG 100 concurrently. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading Level 3; Academic Writing Level 2

ENG 100

Technical Writing Fundamentals

In this course, students learn the technical writing process and apply it to writing tasks similar to those they will encounter on the job. Students write audience-focused documents such as memos, technical definitions and descriptions, instructions, reports, and presentations. At the end of the semester, each student prepares an electronic portfolio of technical writing assignments. (During the first week of class, students must demonstrate a writing proficiency at the college level.) The title of this course was previously Technical Writing I. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Composition I

In this course, students will write effective academic essays using a variety of rhetorical patterns for various purposes and audiences. Reading materials serve as a basis for essays and classroom discussions. Students write both in-class and out-of-class essays. During the first week of class, students must demonstrate their writing proficiency. In order to pass with a "C" or better, students must demonstrate at least "C" level competency in documented essay writing by the end of the semester. Students will write a minimum of 20-25 pages of polished writing. Students are required to complete Writing Center assignments outside of class. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Composition I Supplemental Support

In this course, students will receive supplemental instruction and support in the reading and writing techniques needed for ENG 111. The topics covered include critical reading and thinking strategies necessary for the identification, interpretation, and analysis of complex texts. Special attention will be given to sources appropriate for inclusion in research-based writing. Students will practice critical reading and writing skills, and they will access resources across campus to aid in the successful completion of both this course and ENG 111. This course is required for students who are not at college-level reading and writing but wish to take ENG 111 concurrently. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading Level 3; Academic Writing Level 2

ENG 111

Composition 1

In this course, students will write effective academic essays using a variety of rhetorical patterns for various purposes and audiences. Reading materials serve as a basis for essays and classroom discussions. Students write both in-class and out-of-class essays. During the first week of class, students must demonstrate their writing proficiency. In order to pass with a "C" or better, students must demonstrate at least "C" level competency in documented essay writing by the end of the semester. Students will write a minimum of 20-25 pages of polished writing. Students are required to complete Writing Center assignments outside of class. This course includes additional instructor contact hours and will be required for students who are not at college-level reading and writing but wish to take ENG 111. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading Level 3; Academic Writing Level 2

Horror and Science Fiction

In this course, students will study science fiction and horror in literature with emphasis on literary, historical, psychological and cultural relevance. Short stories, novels, poems, films, and/or nonfiction related to both genres are analyzed and discussed. Students will apply critical-thinking skills to assess literary works. Specially designated sections may focus on horror, science fiction, subgenres or major authors. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Introduction to Literature: Poetry and Drama

In this course, students will develop an understanding of literature through writing assignments, close reading and discussion of selected works of poetry and drama. Students will apply critical thinking skills to assess literary works. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Introduction to Literature: Short Story and Novel

Students explore short stories and the novel as they provide blueprints for living, self-discovery, and recreation. Students will be introduced to the elements of fiction, various literary genres and their cultural and historical contexts. They will practice using literary terms in interpreting a variety of texts across genre and mode, in writing and discussion. Students will be expected to analyze fiction critically in class discussions and through formal and informal writings. Specially designated sections of the course may be devoted to special topics such as mystery, war, westerns, women's issues, and popular fiction. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

African-American Literature

In this course, students will read and interpret a wide range of literature by African-American authors. They will be introduced to African-American thought through readings of authors of African descent in diverse genres and modalities. Students will engage actively with the literary texts as well as the interpretations and insights of their classmates, and they will apply critical thinking skills to assess literary works. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Asian American Literature

In this survey course, students will study major works in Asian American Literature. The course covers selections from a variety of authors from the start of the 20th century; it introduces and explores themes of immigration, identity, assimilation, racialization, gender, war, and cultural memory. Supplementary readings in literary criticism, history, theory, and poetry will provide context and deepen understanding of the texts and their legacies. Students will apply critical thinking skills to assess literary works. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Technical Writing Internship

In this course, students gain skills in technical communication through work assignments provided by a host company and supervised by both the company supervisor and the instructor. At the beginning of the internship, specific learning objectives related to the assignments are developed, hours of work are established, and instructor conference times are set. At the end of the internship, the supervisor evaluates the student performance, and the student writes a self-evaluative report based on the experience. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6; Admission to Technical Writing program and ENG 208 minimum grade "C"

Shakespeare

In this literature course, students will read, discuss, and write about a variety of William Shakespeare's plays and poems. Students will also be introduced to applicable literary terminology and to the literary and historical background of Shakespeare's life and work. By the end of the course, students will have developed a variety of employable skills such as critical reading, critical thinking, critical writing, cultural awareness, appreciation of beauty, and decision-making. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Foundations of Literacy

In this course, students will explore and apply best practices in literacy, including the relationship between literacy, language, and identity. They will develop strategies for creating respectful learning environments using developmentally appropriate processes and culturally relevant texts and word learning artifacts. Students will learn about historical and current practices for the development, assessment, and teaching of literacy through print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics, spelling, word recognition, morphology, syntax, reading fluency, vocabulary, handwriting, comprehension, composition, and speaking and listening. As part of this course, students will be required to complete at least 10 hours of field experience in PK-6 classrooms. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Technical Writing for Print Delivery

In this course, students learn how to research, draft, design, and revise a technical document based on an approved topic of their choice. At the beginning of the semester, students create a detailed project plan, schedule, and design template that will serve as a framework for the writing and editing phases of the project. Ultimately, each student will deliver a final document (5,000 word minimum) that is clearly written, user-centered, and accurate (both grammatically and technically). At the end of the semester, each student will create an electronic portfolio to showcase their work, from the initial project plan to the final document. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6; ENG 107 minimum grade "C"

Technical Writing for Online Delivery

In this hands-on course, students will explore the concepts and challenges of single sourcing and topic-based authoring. Building on writing and project management skills learned in the prerequisite course, students will use industry standard software such as MadCap Flare to create technical content that can be customized for online and mobile device delivery. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6; ENG 107 minimum grade "C"

World Literature I

In this course, students will read and analyze western world literature masterpieces, including fiction and nonfiction, written from the time of ancient Greece through the Renaissance. Students will apply critical thinking skills to analyze literary works in both classroom discussions and written essays. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Literature of the Non-Western World

In this course, students will survey major world literature. Typically, the course covers selections from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the sub-continent of India. It includes traditional, modern and contemporary works of literature to introduce and explore the world's literary cultures. Students will apply critical thinking skills to assess literary works. Working with this literature will involve encounters with the unknown and “the other.” Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Technical Writing for eLearning

In this hands-on course, students plan, design, write, edit and publish screencasts (video screen captures) of software simulations and demonstrations that might be used in technical training or eLearning. Students use screencasting software (such as Adobe Captivate or MadCap Mimic) to complete their projects, which include scripted narration. Planning documents and final screencasts are posted online. The title of this course was previously Technical Writing IV. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6; ENG 107 minimum grade "C"

Composition II

In this course, students will further develop critical reading and logical thinking skills. Students will write argumentative essays and other argumentative genres using a variety of formats. Research writing and documentation is emphasized. Composition II is the second semester of the two-course freshman writing sequence. Level I Prerequisite: ENG 111 or ENG 111X, minimum grade "C"

ENG 111X

Queer Literature

In this course, students will read, interpret, and critique a wide range of literature by and about queer people. Students will be introduced to queer literary theory within its cultural and historical contexts. This course draws on texts covering gender, sexuality, and the lived experiences of queer people across diverse genres and modalities. Students will engage actively with literary texts as well as the interpretations and insights of their classmates, and they will apply critical thinking skills to assess literary works. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Comics and Graphic Novels

In this course, students will read, interpret, and critique a wide range of comics and graphic novels. Students will be introduced to the history of comics as well as the vocabulary of comics. Students will analyze the use of the gutter, frames, line, color, and the interplay between text and image. Students will also analyze how the topics of superheroes, disaster, war, punk, illness and disability, gender and sexuality, race/ethnicity, among others, are represented within the context of comics and graphic novels. Students will engage actively with a variety of comics and graphic novels as well as the interpretations and insights of their classmates. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Children's Literature

In this course, students will evaluate children's books for inclusion in age-appropriate use in the classroom with 0 to 13-year-old children, based on criteria including styles, topics, genres, literary elements, awards, cultural relevancy, diversity, illustrations, and/or writing. Students will design and implement literacy activities that incorporate literacy learning, culturally responsive teaching, and critical thinking development. Students will also explain Michigan Department of Education (MDE) standards and competencies that relate to literacy learning for grades PK-6. This course meets requirements for students entering early childhood education, elementary education, and secondary education. It is also beneficial for parents, social workers, library science students, and others interested in learning about children's books. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Diverse Children's Literature

This course examines and critiques diverse books for children from birth to age 13. Students explore children's books about culture, religion, race, gender, sexuality, disability, and socio-economic status. Students will learn about important authors and illustrators of diverse books and how to incorporate these books in lessons and activities with children. This course meets requirements for students entering early childhood education, elementary education, and secondary education. It is also beneficial for parents, social workers, library studies students, or others interested in learning about diverse books for children. The title of this course was previously Multicultural Literature for Youth. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Job Search Success Seminar

In this course, students explore how to develop a successful job search strategy. Topics covered include developing a systematic job search process, researching companies, preparing job search documents (such as a cover letter and résumé), and developing effective interviewing skills. Students also learn the benefits of preparing a portfolio (or other work samples) to share with prospective employers. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Creative Writing I

In this course, students explore how writers discover ideas by writing and revising original poetry, fiction, drama or non-fiction. Students use the basic elements of literary genres and a literary vocabulary to appreciate and evaluate creative writing. Students become critical readers of creative expression through writing workshops, sharing their work and reviewing others' work in a writing community that provides a supportive audience. Some course sections may focus on a particular genre such as poetry, fiction, drama or non-fiction. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6

Creative Writing II

In this course, students will continue to apply their knowledge of how writers discover ideas through writing and revising original poetry, fiction, drama or non-fiction. Students again use the basic elements of literary genres and a literary vocabulary as they become critical readers of creative expression through supportive writing workshops. Students may choose to focus on a specific genre or continue their exploration of all genre. Level I Prerequisite: Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6; ENG 270 minimum grade "C"