English & Communications

Job Seeking Skills: Students will gain independence and proficiency in job searching skills through activities and assignments designed to help them learn how to find jobs, how to prepare to apply for jobs, and how to present themselves as candidates for jobs. Skills covered will include how to search electronically for a job; how to develop written documents needed for a successful self-directed job search, including how to create an electronic portfolio; and how to secure, conduct, and follow up on job interviews. (Prerequisite: none) (1 credit: 1 lecture/0 lab)

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College Speech: Students develop interpersonal, small group, and public speaking skills as well as an understanding of basic communication principles. (Fulfills MnTC Goal 1) (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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Interpersonal Communications: This course focuses on the practical and theoretical interpersonal communication skills needful in the personal, public, and professional contexts found within a diverse society. This course addresses subject matter, such as communication theory, verbal and non-verbal communication, intercultural and cultural communication, communication modes, communication styles, the language of conflict management/resolution, active listening, language choice, and perception. (Meets MnTC Goal 1 and Goal 7) (Prerequisites: Reading College Level Placement or successful completion of ENGL 0528) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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Social Media Communications: This course explores the ways in which social media influences interactions among people in the digital realm. Students will create content using a variety of common social media applications and multi-media, including online writing, listening, and speaking. Students will investigate the development of online communities and increase their knowledge of online rhetoric, the use of analytic tools for audience research and engagement, planning for media events, and evaluation of social media applications. Students will identify, discuss, and reflect upon the ethical dimensions of political, social, and personal life and the ways in which they can exercise responsible and productive citizenship. Meets MnTC Goals 1 & 9. (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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English Essentials I: This course focuses on sentence-level issues of English clarity, grammar, punctuation, and mechanics. Students will also do regular reading assignments and apply reading strategies for college success. This course is developmental and not intended for transfer. (Prerequisite: None) (1 credits: 1 lecture/0 lab)

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Reading & Writing 2: This course emphasizes both reading comprehension and critical reading strategies for college- level reading as well as writing of paragraphs from experience, from observation, and in response to readings and other sources. Students will be expected to read with comprehension, effectively summarize and respond to, and evaluate content from a variety of sources, which may include textbooks, essays, short stories, speeches, news articles, research journals, etc. This is a developmental course and therefore does not count toward a diploma or degree. (Prerequisite: English/Reading Level 2 Placement.) (2 credits: 2 lecture/0 lab)

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Reading & Writing 3: This course provides structured opportunities for students to improve writing skills primarily at the paragraph and short essay level. Students will write from experience and from readings and will be introduced to academic documentation conventions, including avoiding plagiarism. Students will also strengthen reading comprehension skills for successful reading of college level texts, articles, research, and other materials. This is a developmental course and therefore does not count toward a diploma or degree. (Prerequisite: English/Reading Level 3 Placement or successful completion of ENGL0518 and FYEX1000) (FYEX1000 is also recommended and advised concurrent if placed directly into ENGL0528) (2 credits: 2 lecture/0 lab)

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College Communications: This course will provide an opportunity to sharpen communication skills, both written and oral, through writing papers and giving presentations. Principles common to both forms of verbal communication--such as focus, support, and organization--will be covered, as will features more particular to writing (e.g. paragraph and essay unity) and to speaking (e.g. speech delivery skills). This is a diploma-level course which does not transfer to two or four-year programs. (Prerequisite: Writing College Level Placement or successful completion of ENGL0528) (2 credits: 2 lecture/0 lab)

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Writing about the Short Story: The course emphasizes reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through analysis of a variety of short fiction styles and approaches. This is an essay writing course, similar to an expository writing course, but with the focus on writing about the short story. The student will write several papers, including at least one with multiple sources and proper documentation. This is a diploma- level course which does not transfer to two or four-year programs. (Prerequisite: Writing College Level Placement or successful completion of ENGL0528) (2 credits: 2 lecture/0 lab)

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Introduction to Literature: This course will serve to introduce the student to various aspects of literature, including its genres (fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and/or drama), its formal aesthetic elements (e.g. plot, metaphor, point of view, etc.), and its communication of ideas as they relate to the human condition. (Meets MnTC goal 6 and 7) (Prerequisite: Reading College Level Placement or successful completion of ENGL0528) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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College Writing I: This course involves expository writing based on experience, direct observation, research and reading with emphasis on critical thinking skills, rhetorical strategies, and style. (Meets MnTC Goal 1) (Prerequisites: Writing College Level Placement or successful completion of ENGL0528) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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Multicultural Literature: This course will examine the diversity of North American culture through a varied body of literature produced by members of specific minority cultures within North America. The literature may include, but is not limited to, novels, short stories, memoirs, poetry, creative nonfiction, drama, and oral tradition. (Meets MnTC Goal 6 and Goal 7) (Prerequisites: Reading College Level Placement or successful completion of ENGL 0528) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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Survey of British Literature: This course will focus on the major periods, authors, and canonical works of British literature during the years 1500 to 1850. Readings will include works of poetry, drama, and fiction from the time period.

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Technical Writing: This course studies the theory and practice of technical writing emphasizing clarity and conciseness in written communication for practical and professional purposes.(Meets MnTC Goal 1)(Prerequisite: Writing College Level Placement or successful completion of ENGL0528) (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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Introduction to Creative Writing: This course will serve to introduce the student to the practice of creative writing, specifically to the techniques involved in writing poetry and short fiction. In addition to writing their own poems and stories, students will read and discuss a number of contemporary examples in these genres. (Meets MnTC goals 1 & 6) (Prerequisites: Writing College Level Placement or successful completion of ENGL0528) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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Creative Writing: Fiction: This course will serve to develop, at a higher level than that of an introductory creative writing course, students' facility in writing fiction. In addition to sharpening and expanding their individual narrative and fictive technique, students will read and respond critically to a variety of others' fictional works in terms of their craft and may be asked to respond constructively to peers' works. Students will be challenged not only to develop their natural talents in fiction writing, but also to work on their less developed areas. By the end of the course, students will compile a portfolio demonstrating careful revisions of their best work. (Meets MnTC Goals 1 & 6) (Prerequisite: C or higher in ENGL 1445 Introduction to Creative Writing) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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Creative Writing: Nonfiction: This course will serve to develop, at a higher level than that of an introductory creative writing or essay course, students' facility in writing nonfiction. In addition to sharpening and expanding nonfiction prose techniques, students will read and respond critically to a variety of others' nonfictional works in terms of their craft and may be asked to respond constructively to peers' works. Students will be challenged not only to develop their natural talents in nonfiction, but also to work on less developed areas. Forms and genres such as creative nonfiction, the literary essay, prose poetry, the magazine feature article, memoir, and travel and nature writing may be addressed. By the end of the course, students will compile a portfolio demonstrating careful revisions of their best work. (Meets MnTC Goals 1 & 6) (Prerequisite: Writing College Level Placement) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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Creative Writing: Poetry: This course will serve to develop, at a higher level than that of an introductory creative writing course, students' facility in writing poetry. In addition to sharpening and expanding personal poetic technique, students will read and respond critically to a variety of poetic works by others in terms of their craft and may be asked to respond constructively to peers' works. Students will be challenged not only to develop their natural poetic talents, but also to work on their less developed areas. By the end of the course, students will compile a portfolio demonstrating careful revisions of their best work. (Meets MnTC Goals 1 & 6) (Prerequisite: C or higher in ENGL 1445 Introduction to Creative Writing)

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Creative Writing: The Business of Writing: Creative Writing: The Business of Writing will serve to develop the student's facility in publishing his or her written works. Students will be challenged to identify publishers and editors, organize publishing details such as contact information and submission guidelines, write query letters, submit written work electronically or in paper form, and develop the practice of patience. By the end of the course, the student will compile a publishing portfolio demonstrating the craft of the business of writing. (Prerequisite: Writing College Level or ENGL0528) (1 credit: 0 lecture/1 lab)

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College Writing II: Reading critically and writing persuasively from multiple sources is emphasized. Students will evaluate the stylistic, structural and substantive merits of what they read; they will analyze and synthesize various points of view, develop interpretive skills, and employ various critical stances and techniques. Students must write at least one research paper substantially based on the reading of at least one book-length text (assigned to the whole class by the instructor). The text may be fictional, non-fictional, dramatic, or poetic. Students will write at least three academic essays of analysis and/or synthesis. (MN Transfer Goals 1 and 2) (Prerequisites: "C" or better in ENGL2515 College Writing I, ENGL2545 Introduction to Creative Writing, or equivalent course transfer) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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Poetry of the English Language: This course will serve to introduce the student to major poems and poets of the English language. Students will study the technical elements of poetry (e.g. meter, form, sound, metaphor) as well as its power, in the hands of its masters, to communicate important truths. (MnTC Goal 6) (Prerequisite: Reading College Level Placement or successful completion of ENGL0528) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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Independent Reading: The Great Books: Independent Reading: The Great Books allows students to choose books to read from a list provided by the instructor and discuss them in one-on-one meetings with the instructor and/or in small group meetings with other students and the instructor. The course may be conducted on campus or through electronic delivery (by discretion of instructor). The focus of the course will be on classic literary texts; however, books which are historical, political, philosophical, or representative of other disciplines may be used, though they should be ones accessible to skilled readers from outside those disciplines. Note: This course does not involve regular class meetings; rather, students must arrange meetings with the instructor. (MnTC Goals 2 and 6) (Prerequisite: Reading College Level Placement or successful completion of ENGL0528) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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Special Topics in Literature: This course will focus on a subcategory of literature-a particular genre, a particular time period, a particular author or group of authors, a particular cultural impact, or any combination of thereof-in each semester that it is offered. Offered irregularly. (Meets MnTC goal 6) (Prerequisite: Reading College Level Placement or ENGL0528) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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Special Topics in Writing: This course will offer students the opportunity to write in a specific genre (e.g. poetry, memoir, drama, screenplay, literary journalism, short fiction, creative nonfiction, writing for the Web, professional writing, writing in organizations, etc.) in each semester that it is offered. Offered irregularly. (Meets MnTC goal 1) (Prerequisite: Writing College Level Placement or ENGL0528) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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