Composition/Rhetoric

Core Course Description

In an effort to increase student understanding of the purpose of and interconnectivity between core courses, the syllabus should include the following statement (which is not a Catalog text):

"In your first year at Xavier you will take either English Composition (ENGL 101) or Rhetoric (ENGL 115). These courses serve two aims: 1) to introduce you to writing as a subject of scholarly inquiry grounded in rhetorical theory and knowledge about the writing process; and 2) to help you develop writing skills that you will use in your college courses and beyond. Course assignments focus on expository, analytical, argument-based, and research-based writing to develop skills you will need for effective written communication in your academic, personal, professional, and public lives."

Student Learning Objectives

Student Learning Objectives are assessable and must be included in all syllabi. SLOs will be measured through the efforts of the Core Curriculum Assessment Committee and possibly through student evaluations. Each syllabus should contain the following:

"This course is part of the Xavier Core Curriculum, which aims to develop people of learning and reflection, integrity and achievement, in solidarity for and with others. It addresses the following core learning objectives at the introductory level:

2a: Students find, evaluate, and logically convey information and ideas in written and oral presentations.

[The above is a minimum for Composition/Rhetoric. Individual instructors are encouraged to add other core SLOs as appropriate.]

In addition to Xavier core learning objectives, this course includes these other key learning objectives:

[Additional SLOs to be determined by individual instructors/departments]"

Course Principles

Course principles are to be addressed substantively through topics and graded assignments in every course fitting the description. While these need not be stated in the syllabus, faculty are encouraged to regularly point out how assignments are achieving these goals.

All sections of ENGL 101 contain a Common Assignment. The precise topic of this assignment is subject to change from year to year. The essays in response to this assignment are sent to the Writing Program Director by the conclusion of the term for assessment purposes. For more information, the Department of English's Guide to the Writing Program.

Approval Procedure

Composition and Rhetoric are offered by the English Department. If you would like to teach one of these course, submit your request to the English Department Chair, who will make a recommendation to the CCC.