English

The study of English will enhance students' communication skills, their capacity for critical thinking in all disciplines, and their ability to purposefully interact with professional and academic audiences.

By exploring the writing process, students will learn different strategies for creating successful written works. Whether the work is a creative piece or a formal essay, students in English classes will benefit from a better understanding of prewriting methods and the importance of revision. As students progress towards a completed manuscript, they will learn to anticipate and negotiate with a target audience, creating a purposeful message with the English language.

Clarity and correctness in writing will ensure that intentional messages produce intended results, instead of costly confusion or misunderstanding. Through the practice of English composition, students can learn to avoid obvious errors, focus their thinking, organize their ideas, and ultimately present professionally developed and formatted work. By appropriating the conventions of English discourse, students will be better prepared to present essential information and relevant ideas within any discipline. Whether the subject of their writing is a literary text, a personal experience, a voting guide, or a scientific theory, the ability to understand language and to use it effectively is essential to successful communication.

Furthermore, the study of English encourages attitudes of critical inquiry. To write well at the college level and for critical audiences, students learn to explore, observe, and synthesize information. While close observation of literary texts and other subjects will enable students to accurately and effectively discuss external experiences, the study of English also encourages the examination of internal dispositions and their role in the formulation of ideas. Through careful reading, students practice essential critical thinking skills that will facilitate their scrutiny of both themselves and the world around them.

By appropriating these skills and attitudes, student learners will empower their voices. The study of English promotes and enhances discourse in both local and global communities. With the potential exposure and opportunity presented by the Internet, study of the English language has an even greater chance of improving civic participation, an awareness of culture, and the visibility of vital, independent ideas. The ability to effectively express opinions, share important experiences and otherwise communicate information with their peers, ensures that students can fully participate in their field of study, in professional settings, and in the larger culture around them. These abilities are also likely to aid students in professional advancement.

According to a recent survey conducted by the National Commission on Writing, seventy-percent of companies and agencies (across all sectors of employment) agreed that their salaried employees are expected to write. Fifty-percent of these respondents also indicated that they consider writing skills when hiring new employees. This data illustrates how students will directly benefit from the study of English; by acquiring effective writing skills, students will better compete for salaried positions and be prepared for the tasks demanded by their future employers.

Overall, the study of English will help students grow in their ability to meaningfully communicate their ideas, their experiences, and their knowledge. It will also enhance their capacity to understand and respond to the communication of others.

Courses in English as listed in the 2007-2008 WNC catalog. Back to the English main page.