Course Descriptions

Courses numbered 1000-1999 are open to freshmen; 2000-2999 to sophomores; 3000-3999 to juniors; 4000-4999 to seniors. It is recommended that students elect courses in the years for which they are listed. Freshmen will be admitted to courses above the 2000 level only with the consent of the instructor and the student’s advisor. Juniors and seniors taking freshman courses may be expected to do additional work. Any course above 4999 is a graduate course.

NOTE:
The number in parentheses following the course title indicates the semester hours of credit assigned to the course.
An H following the course number indicates an honors level course.

COMP 0090
The Writers Workshop [Course] () (Liberal Arts)
The ability to communicate effectively with others, in the classroom and in the workplace, is essential for success. The Writer's Workshop provides adult learners with the opportunity to improve their writing proficiency in order to transmit information in an organized and coherent fashion with attention to correct grammar, usage, and style.

COMP 0098
Principles of Writing Lab [Laboratory] ()
This course is designed additional help for selected students in writing. The course will be given a P/F grade at the end of the semester.

COMP 1010
Principles of Writing [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course focuses on the process of composition, from prewriting through editing. Emphasis is placed on writing skills needed for academic success. Students may be asked to draw upon assigned readings, research materials, class discussion, and personal experience as they develop college-level non-fiction prose. (A minimum grade of C- is required.) Prerequisite: satisfactory entrance scores, as determined by College personnel. Students are expected to complete this course within the first two semesters of matriculation.

COMP 1020
Writing and Research [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
Writing and Research is designed to help students build on writing competencies acquired in Principles of Writing (COMP 1010). Emphasis is on the continued development of writing and critical thinking skills through assigned readings, classroom discussion, and writing assignments. The course culminates in the writing of a formal research paper. Prerequisite: COMP 1010 or its equivalent.

COMP 1050
Academic Literacy Skills:Writing & Research for Educators [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course advances Pathway to Teaching students’ skills in reading, writing, and conducting research and is designed to help students become successful writers and teachers of writing in K-12 classrooms. Specifically, this course focuses on developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills through the study of persuasion and appropriate use of academic language and sources. In addition, students will study writing assessment strategies (e.g., the “six traits” – ideas, organization, sentence fluency, voice, word choice, and convention). Note: This course is not equivalent to either COMP 1010 or COMP 1020.

COMP 2050
Writing & Critical Analysis [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course provides instruction in writing that encourages learners to generate and perfect the techniques and skills required for academic writing. With an emphasis on critical thinking and analytical writing, the course focuses on the characteristics and uses of expository literature.

COMP 3200
Creative Writing [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course introduces elements of characterization, point of view, setting, style, and theme in relation to prose and/or poetry. Students write, revise, edit, and critique work produced throughout the semester. Prerequisite: COMP 1010 and COMP 1020.

COMP 3210
Journalism [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
This course presents beginning reporters' techniques of basic news writing, a study of journalists in action (interviews, profiles, on-the-beat reports, obituaries, feature stories, etc.), and elementary editing. Also listed as COMM 3210. Prerequisites: COMM 1105, COMP 1010 and 1020. Open only to juniors and seniors.

COMP 3410
The Composing Process & Advanced Grammar [Course] (3) (Liberal Arts)
In this advanced writing course, students identify and learn to use wisely their own composing processes. Students write extensively throughout the semester (critiques, meta-cognitive pieces, text analysis, and original work). The course also includes advanced grammar instruction designed to lead to mastery. Prerequisite: COMP 1010 and 1020.

COMP 4950
Independent Study [Course] (1 - 3) (Liberal Arts)
Independent study provides opportunity to pursue advanced or special-interest topics not covered in the curriculum. Prerequisites: 1. Junior standing. 2. A minimum of 9 semester hours in the discipline of the Independent Study. 3. A minimum grade point average of 2.50 in the discipline. 4. Proof of motivation and ability to work independently. 5. Approval of the department in which the study is to be taken. 6. Permission from the student's advisor, the course instructor, the Department Chair, the School Dean, and the Registrar.