Analytical Reading & Writing Area Goals

This course should be taken as soon as possible—ideally in the first semester, but certainly in the first year.

Analytical Reading & Writing is intended to teach students how to:

• Read and discuss for the purposes of careful analysis and critique;
• Use rhetorical strategies to take a position, marshal evidence and respond to opposing
• views;
• Retrieve, evaluate and synthesize evidence and commentary on a topic;
• Revise drafts for clarity and intellectual sophistication;
• Reflect on the writing and reading processes; and
• Demonstrate both fluency and competence with Standard English in writing and editing personal work.

Courses

Analytical Reading & Writing

ENGLISH 0802, 0902
Students explore a single theme from the point of multiple disciplines. Early in the semester, they work on research and the evaluation of sources, moving through a sequence of papers that develop argumentation and the synthesis of materials. Library research is required, and sessions with librarians are part of the course. Individual instructor-to-student and small group conferences will be held several times during the semester. Evaluation is predicated on a passing final portfolio of at least four assignments that are developed through multiple revisions.

English as a Second language (ESL) Analytical Reading & Writing

ENGLISH 0812
Designed to accommodate the needs of the ESL learner, this course follows the guidelines for Analytical Reading & Writing (ARW), developing the skills of argumentation and synthesis an in interdisciplinary context, while embracing the cross-cultural implications both of what it means to do academic work and also what it means to share historical and cultural knowledge. Oral participation is encouraged as a way of developing fluency and enhancing comfort with participation in American academic settings. As with ARW, there are sessions with librarians as students work on research and evaluation of sources and multiple conferences with peers and with the instructor.