Course

Academic Writing

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
English
Course code
ENGL 1130
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
25
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
Fall
Summer
Winter

Overview

Course description
This course introduces students to the process of writing academic essays, and to strategies, assignments and exercises that develop their abilities as researchers, readers and writers of scholarly prose. Students will examine the general principles of composition, and the specific conventions of academic writing as practiced in several disciplines. Students will apply critical thinking and gain experience in locating, evaluating and using sources within their own writing.
Course content
  • an assigned body of readings, including peer-reviewed scholarly work;
  • exercises;
  • writing assignments; and
  • the rhetoric and conventions of various forms of academic discourse.
Learning activities

Some or all of the following methods will be used:

  1. lecture/discussion;
  2. quizzes;
  3. in-class writing;
  4. library research skill development;
  5. group discussion and exercises;
  6. independent research;
  7. in-class review of one’s own and one’s peers’ writing;
  8. instructor feedback on one’s written work; and
  9. revision of one’s submitted writing.
Means of assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. This is a graded course. Instructors may use a student’s record of attendance and/or level of active participation in a course as part of the student’s graded performance. Where this occurs, expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation must be clearly defined in the Instructor Course Outline.

Course grades will be based on at least six evaluations, including three distinct academic essays, typically ranging from 500 to 1500 words, and accounting for a combined minimum of 60% of the course grade.  Instructors may require a re-submission of one of the three required papers as a distinct fourth writing assignment.

Examples of assessment may include, but are not limited to, summaries of texts, annotated bibliographies and/or research proposals. These assessments will contribute toward the development of the required papers.

 

Learning outcomes

General Objectives:

The aim of this course is to assist students in developing their skills as researchers, critical thinkers, and readers and writers of scholarly prose.

Specific Objectives:

  1. Reading Objectives: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
    • read source material actively and critically;
    • distinguish main from supporting points;
    • distinguish among statements that require evidence, statements that require explanation, and statements of fact requiring documentation;
    • identify and assess thesis claims, particularly from scholarly sources;
    • understand the development of a piece of writing;
    • recognize and understand the function of discipline-specific writing strategies and conventions;
    • paraphrase and summarize readings accurately and appropriately.
  2. Writing Process Objectives: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
    • make specific written observations on and provide critical responses to assigned readings;
    • use pre-writing techniques such as brainstorming and outlining;
    • recognize and use writing strategies, including discipline-specific means of framing research questions, introducing source materials, or citing evidence, as appropriate to writing occasion;
    • summarize, paraphrase and quote effectively;
    • revise drafts effectively:
      • read thoughtfully and respond effectively to their own written work;
      • read thoughtfully and respond effectively to peer responses to their written work;
      • read thoughtfully and respond effectively and constructively to the written work of other students.                                                  
  3. Content, Organization and Style Objectives: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
    • Content:
      • write a thesis that is significant and appropriate to the audience and purpose of the written work;
      • develop the thesis effectively, providing evidence that is relevant, accurate, specific, and sufficient;
      • provide appropriate introductions to and contexts for the evidence.
    • Organization:
      • employ effectively introductions and conclusions that are appropriate to the audience and purpose;
      • write unified, coherent paragraphs, the development of which is governed by appropriate topic sentences.
    • Style:
      • employ diction and tone suitable to written academic discourse;
      • document sources according to a current documentation system, such as presented in the MLA Handbook;
      • format their written assignments in a recognized style, such as presented in the MLA Handbook.
Textbook materials

Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students or available as open educational resources.  A list of required textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester.

Assigned readings will generally include  the following types:

  • Scholarly writing/research drawn from a variety of disciplines, primarily within the arts and humanities—available online, in instructor coursepack, or as required textbook.
  • Composition practice and theory—available in instructor coursepack or as required textbook.

Sample texts:

  • Academic Writing, Janet Giltrow, current edition
  • Writing for Success, Tara Horkoff, current Canadian edition
  • They Say, I Say, Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein, current edition

In addition, the following may be required or recommended:

  • A grammar handbook
  • A style handbook
  • A dictionary

Requisites

Prerequisites

Any College entrance Language Proficiency Requirement with the exceptions of the Douglas College Course Options in ELLA or ENGU and the assessments listed below. These require the specified higher standard for entry into CMNS, CRWR and ENGL courses.
• a minimum grade of C- in ELLA 0460, or a minimum grade of C- in both ELLA 0465 and 0475, OR
• a minimum grade of C- in ENGU 0450 or ENGU 0455 or ENGU 0490, OR
• Mastery in ELLA 0330 and any two of ELLA 0310, 0320, or 0340, OR
• TOEFL overall score of 83 with a minimum of 21 in Writing, OR
• IELTS overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0; for individual bands below 6.0:
       • if in Speaking, ELLA 0210 required
       • if in Reading or Listening, ELLA 0220 required
       • if in Writing, ELLA 0230 and ELLA 0240 required
OR
• CLB score of 8, OR
• CEFR level B2+, OR
• CAEL minimum overall and essay score of 70 (computer or paper based), OR
• recognized equivalent or exemption.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for ENGL 1130
Alexander College (ALEX) ALEX ENGL 100 (3)
Athabasca University (AU) AU ENGL 255 (3)
BC Institute of Technology (BCIT) BCIT ENGL 1177 (3)
Camosun College (CAMO) CAMO ENGL 151 (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU ENGL 100 (3)
Coast Mountain College (CMTN) CMTN ENGL 101 (3)
College of New Caledonia (CNC) CNC ENGL 103 (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR ENGL 100 (3)
Coquitlam College (COQU) COQU ENGL 101 (3)
Emily Carr University of Art & Design (EC) EC ENGL 100 lev (3)
Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) FDU ENWR 1101 (3)
Justice Institute of BC (JIBC) JIBC ENGL 1100 (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU ENGL 1100 (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG ENGL 1123 (3)
North Island College (NIC) NIC ENG 115 (3)
Okanagan College (OC) OC ENGL 100 (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU ENGL 199 (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU ENGL 1100 (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) TWU ENGL 1XX (3)
University Canada West (UCW) UCW ENGL 100 (3)
University of British Columbia - Okanagan (UBCO) UBCO ENGL_O 112 (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV WRDS_V 150 (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC ENGL 170 (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV ENGL 105 (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC ATWP 135 (1.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC ENGL 1100 (3)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU ENGL 115 (3)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN
12242
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
9
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4309
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
CRN
12243
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
14
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4309
Times:
Start Time
16:30
-
End Time
18:20
CRN
12244
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
8
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2030
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
CRN
12245
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
3
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2030
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
CRN
12246
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
6
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2330
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
CRN
12247
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
19
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1711
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
CRN
12248
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
22
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1711
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
15:20
CRN
12249
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
7
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2330
Times:
Start Time
18:30
-
End Time
21:20
CRN
12267
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
1
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2330
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
CRN
12511
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
23
Remaining seats:
2
On waitlist
6
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2010
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
CRN
12556
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
24
Remaining seats:
1
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2010
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
CRN
12557
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
7
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2010
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
CRN
12558
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
26
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
15:20
CRN
12653
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
6
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2010
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
CRN
12679
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
12
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4303
Times:
Start Time
11:30
-
End Time
14:20
CRN
12717
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
28
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
15:20
CRN
12757
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
6
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1715
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
CRN
12758
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
9
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1670
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
CRN
12759
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
10
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1670
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
CRN
12770
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
6
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4309
Times:
Start Time
18:30
-
End Time
21:20
CRN
12813
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
3
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1711
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
CRN
12814
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
6
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2330
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
14:20
CRN
12942
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
6
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A1170
Times:
Start Time
18:30
-
End Time
21:20
CRN
12943
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
5
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2330
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
CRN
12944
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
12
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1711
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
CRN
12959
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
3
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4309
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
11:20
CRN
13014
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
7
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4309
Times:
Start Time
18:30
-
End Time
21:20
CRN
13046
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
2
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4309
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
15:20
CRN
13227
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
1
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. B
Room
B2030
Times:
Start Time
18:30
-
End Time
20:20
CRN
13255
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
2
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4303
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
CRN
13977
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
4
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4303
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
CRN
14005
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
2
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4223
Times:
Start Time
16:30
-
End Time
18:20
CRN
14007
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
5
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4223
Times:
Start Time
16:30
-
End Time
18:20
CRN
14669
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
3
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4223
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
CRN
15922
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
5
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4223
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
11:20
CRN
16180
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
10
Building
New Westminster - North Bldg.
Room
N4223
Times:
Start Time
12:30
-
End Time
15:20
CRN
16553
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
70
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-
CRN
16554
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
25
Currently enrolled
25
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
99
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-
CRN
16555
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
20
Currently enrolled
20
Remaining seats:
0
On waitlist
66
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-
CRN
16556
section details
CRN Days Instructor Status More details
Maximum seats
20
Currently enrolled
21
Remaining seats:
-1
On waitlist
67
Building
Online
Room
ONLINE
Times:
-