Course Description

Course Title:	Research Writing in the Disciplines
Course Number:	ENG 1111
Credits:	2 semester credits
Prerequisites:	Grade of C or higher in ENG 1108 or equivalent
Meets (MnTC) Minnesota Transfer Curriculum Goal #1:	To develop writers and speakers who use the English language effectively and who read, write, speak, and listen critically. As a base, all students should complete introductory communication requirements early in their collegiate studies. Writing competency is an ongoing process to be reinforced through writing-intensive courses and writing across the curriculum. Speaking and listening skills need reinforcement through multiple opportunities for interpersonal communication, public speaking, and discussion.
Competency for MnTC Goal #1:	Understand/demonstrate the writing and speaking processes through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing and presentation. Locate, evaluate, and synthesize in a responsible manner material from diverse sources and points of view. Select appropriate communication choices for specific audiences. Construct logical and coherent arguments. Use authority, point-of-view, and individual voice and style in their writing and speaking. Employ syntax and usage appropriate to academic disciplines and the professional world.
Meets MnTCGoal #2:	To develop thinkers who are able to unify factual, creative, rational, and value-sensitive modes of thought. Critical thinking will be taught and used throughout the general education curriculum in order to develop students’ awareness of their own thinking and problem-solving procedures. To integrate new skills into their customary ways of thinking, students must be actively engaged in practicing thinking skills and applying them to open-ended problems.
Competency for MnTC Goal #2	Gather factual information and apply it to a given problem in a manner that is relevant, clear, comprehensive, and conscious of possible bias in the information selected. Imagine and seek out a variety of possible goals, assumptions, interpretations, or perspectives which can give alternative meanings or solutions to given situations or problems. Analyze the logical connections among the facts, goals, and implicit assumptions relevant to a problem or claim; generate and evaluate implications that follow from them.
Course Description	Emphasizes textual analysis of primary and/or secondary sources in various disciplines with focus on academic research writing.
Outcomes	Summarize and paraphrase texts related to a specific discipline Identify discipline-specific writing styles and traits within similar texts Evaluate, support, and refute arguments and evidence Analyze topics in order to generate research and writing strategies Demonstrate understanding of the benefits and limits of primary research (surveys and interviews) Gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from discipline-specific as well as general research sources Construct a clear, goal-oriented thesis Use appropriate organization, language, and citation methods for a specific discipline
Topics	Critical reading of texts (paraphrase and summary) 20% Research skills (such as Internet, PALS, etc.) 20 Citation methods 20% Writing strategies 40%
Outcome Measures	Formal papers Informal papers Exams Presentations

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