First-Year Courses and Placement

The composition program at Southern Connecticut State University provides training in college-level writing for all first-year students. We also offer more advanced courses in writing and rhetoric at the 200- and 300-level for students who wish to continue their writing instruction beyond the first year. First-year writing courses include:

• ENG 110 Fundamentals of Academic Writing - Instruction in multi-stage reading and writing processes in order to comprehend complex texts and write different types of academic essays (3 credits) Pre-requisite: by placement. 
• ENG 112 Writing Arguments - Development of critical reading and writing skills with a focus on intellectually demanding texts. Emphasis on source-based argument writing (3 credits) Pre-requisite(s): successful completion of ENG 110, placement into 'Path 2' and successful completion of INQ 101, or placement in ENG 112.

If you are bilingual or multilingual, you may benefit from the ENG 119/120 course sequence to meet the Written Communication requirement. Instruction in these courses is specifically designed for students with a bilingual or multilingual background.

• ENG 119 College Composition for Bilingual Students - Instruction in multi-stage reading and writing processes for bilingual students (heritage speakers and English learners) to comprehend complex texts and write different types of academic essays; special emphasis on the conventions of U.S. standard academic English. A portfolio will be required. (3 credits) Pre-requisite: by placement. 
• ENG 120 Writing Arguments for Bilingual Students - Designed for bilingual students, focusing on developing academic reading and writing skills in English necessary for undergraduate study in the U.S. Specifically, students will learn to understand, summarize, respond to, and integrate academic-level texts (from academic journals, high-quality journalism, professional websites, textbooks, and case studies). Includes a comprehensive review of essential English grammar for academic writing, particularly in the genre of argument. Pre-requisite(s): successful completion of ENG 110 or 119, or placement in ENG 120.

Information about placement criteria and processes can be found on the English Placement page.

Questions about the Composition Program

For all questions about first-year writing and composition at SCSU, including transfer credits and course waivers, or over-enrollment requests for ENG 110 or ENG 112, please contact the Composition Coordinator, Brian Johnson. 

For inquiries about first-year student support and requirements at SCSU, including INQ courses, please contact the Director of the First-Year Experience Program (FYE), Nicole Henderson.

If you're a college instructor with inquiries about part-time teaching opportunities in the Composition Program, please see the English Department Contacts page.