The English Department at Old Dominion University offers six general education courses for undergraduate students of all majors. All undergraduate students at ODU must take two composition (“C”) courses and one literature (“L”) course. All students take ENGL 110C: English Composition, after which they should choose the 200-level C course required or recommended by their major. For more information about specific General Education requirements and the General Education Philosophy and Objectives, visit the ODU Catalog. For more information about major requirements/recommendations, view the Curriculum Sheets.
Catalog Course Descriptions
ENGL 101. Composition Studio. 3 Credits. This course is an immersive study of writing, rhetoric, and composing concepts and strategies designed to extend the ENGL 110C curriculum. The course provides additional instruction, guided practice, and support as writers learn to successfully compose and revise in multiple genres for multiple purposes and audiences and navigate university literacy expectations. Corequisite: ENGL 110C. Prerequisites: A score of 1 on the WSPT or an override from an academic advisor.
ENGL 110C. English Composition. 3 Credits. The principal objective of the course is to prepare students to be effective writers of the kinds of compositions they will be called on to produce during their college careers. By the end of the course, students should be more mature in their understanding and use of language, should develop efficient writing processes, and should know and demonstrate the qualities of effective composition in a given rhetorical situation and should be able to demonstrate those qualities in their own writing. Prerequisites: A passing grade on the Writing Success Placement Tool.
English 112L. Introduction to Literature. 3 Credits. This course introduces students to a broad range of literary forms, including poetry, fiction and drama, exposing students to a diverse range of writers across race, gender, sexuality, nationality, and time periods. As students engage with the readings, they will develop skills in literary interpretation, analysis and critical evaluation.
English 114L. American Writers, American Experiences. 3 Credits. This course introduces students to the diversity of American culture as depicted in American literature. Readings expose students to a diverse range of writers across race, gender, sexuality, and time periods. As students engage with the readings, they will develop skills in literary interpretation, analysis and critical evaluation.
ENGL 211C. Writing, Rhetoric, and Research. 3 Credits. To foster dynamic transfer into major-level writing courses, this course emphasizes academic literacy and the skills necessary to decode and understand the writing process, the fundamental rhetorical principles of writing, and the research process and how they adapt to shifting requirements of audience, subject matter, and context. It is recommended that students take this course in their sophomore year. Prerequisites: ENGL 110C with a grade of C or higher.
ENGL 231C. Writing, Rhetoric, and Research: Special Topics. 3 Credits. A special themed section of ENGL 211C that is recommended for specific populations of students according to discipline, workplace, or other shared purpose. This course emphasizes academic literacy and the skills necessary to decode and understand the writing process, fundamental rhetorical principles of writing, and research, with a focus on the expectations of specific audience/s and in response to emerging rhetorical situations, thus fostering dynamic transfer into future work. The themes of these sections will be more fully described in information distributed to academic advisors. It is recommended that students take this course in their sophomore year. Prerequisites: ENGL 110C with a grade of C or higher.