In order to reflect best practices in writing pedagogy, the English department is revising English 151 and moving it to make it our signature first-year composition course. We will slowly be phasing out ENGL 150 over the course of several semesters as we work to establish new equivalencies with regards to AP, IB, and course transfer.
WHY IS THE DEPARTMENT MAKING THESE CHANGES?
As the number of students requiring first-year writing continues to decline (due to dual enrollment, AP, IB, and transfer), we are looking to streamline the administrative resources required to staff and prepare teachers for these courses. In addition, we are making curriculum adjustments that better reflect advancements in the field of writing instruction. We currently offer two different first-year writing courses. One emphasizes learning to write arguments (ENGL 151) and the other (ENGL 150) emphasizes writing explore or inquire into topics. Historically we split the available seats between these two first-year writing classes. Both are certified for ACE 1; both require students to produce 25 pages of polished prose across a minimum of 3 writing projects. Both courses move students through a series of activities designed to help them develop initial drafts, work with feedback they received on initial drafts and revise those drafts.
WHAT CHANGES WILL I SEE AS AN ADVISOR?
Going forward, we’ll be offering more seats in ENGL 151 and we will begin reducing seats in ENGL 150. So far as we can determine, no UNL major requires ONLY ENGL 150 so this change should not impact students’ time-to-degree. Note that we do not anticipate offering fewer seats in ACE 1 courses. Rather, the ratio of seats in ENGL 150 vs ENGL 151 will shift. Additionally, this change also allows us to offer more sections of ENGL 254: Writing & Communities.
WHAT CHANGES WILL I SEE FOR ENGL 151?
As early as Spring 2024, but definitely by Summer 2024, ENGL 151 will change from “Writing & Argument” to “Writing for Change.” With that course title shift, ENGL 151 will change from its emphasis on argument to an emphasis on helping students identify and practice a fuller range of purposes for writing (including inquiry and argument). We will continue to teach ENGL 150 (Writing & Inquiry) with its current focus, but it will have a lower number of available seats relative to the seats available in ENGL 151. Both courses will continue to be certified for ACE 1.
Thanks for all you do to help students develop meaningful programs of study and course schedules. If you have questions about this or other matters related to writing instruction at UNL, please feel free to contact Debbie Minter at dminter1@unl.edu or English Department Advisor Kathleen Lacey at klacey3@unl.edu.
More details at: https://www.unl.edu/english/