Composition/Writing
Requirement: English C050/C051, R050, or H090 plus five designated writing-intensive courses.
The ability to use language properly, effectively, and persuasively is a basic skill needed throughout onešs academic career and beyond. Special attention, therefore, will be paid to the writing ability of all Temple undergraduate students. Basic writing skills will be the explicit focus of Composition, an introductory course required of all students (except those exempted by placement testing) in the first semester in which they are eligible. Composition will prepare students for university-level writing standards and will prepare them for the further development of those skills as they move into intermediate and advanced level work. It should be taken before any writing-intensive (W or X) course.
Following the completion of Composition, students will be expected to complete five additional writing-intensive courses before graduation. Two of the five will be the two semesters of Intellectual Heritage (see below); the other three may be in disciplines of the student's choosing. In these courses, students will learn the conventions and the kinds of writing used in the 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; some are general electives; still others may be courses in the student's major. All students will take one advanced capstone Writing-Intensive course. Each department designates the capstone course(s) required for its majors. Students should check with the undergraduate adviser of their department for 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