Composition/Writing

Requirement: College Composition (English C050, C051, H090, R050, or R090) and five designated Writing-Intensive courses. 

The ability to use language properly, effectively, and persuasively is a basic skill needed throughout one's academic career and beyond.  Developing students' writing ability is therefore an essential part of the Core Curriculum.  Basic writing skills are the explicit focus of College Composition, an introductory course required of all students (except those exempted by placement testing) in the first semester in which they are eligible. Composition prepares students for university-level writing standards, and for the further development of their skills as they move into advanced work. It should be taken before any Writing-Intensive (W or X) course. 

After Composition students take five Writing-Intensive courses.  Two of those are Intellectual Heritage X051 or X091 and X052 or X092 (see the section on Intellectual Heritage).  Another one is the designated writing capstone in the student's major.  The remaining two courses may be required by the major or chosen by the student.  In all Writing-Intensive courses, students learn the conventions and the kinds of writing used in the course's discipline. In many cases, students will submit first drafts and then revisions of their written work. 

Some of the Writing-Intensive courses fulfill other Core requirements (X and some R courses), some are general electives, and others may be courses in the student's major.  X and R courses are included in the lists of courses approved for the various Core areas.  The list of Writing-Intensive courses that are not also in another Core area follows the sections on the Core areas. 

All students take one advanced capstone Writing-Intensive course. Each department designates the capstone course(s) required for its majors, and these are identified in the list of Writing-Intensive courses.  Students should check with their department's undergraduate adviser for further information on capstone courses. 

NOTE: All students transferring into Temple must take at least two of their Writing-Intensive courses at Temple. Intellectual Heritage courses cannot be used to meet this transfer Writing requirement, except by students eligible for the 45+ Transfer Core who choose to take a second IH course, and students eligible for Core-to-Core Transfer.