The treatment of a research paper as an isolated utterance within a composition classroom is problematic in that such papers may fail to encourage transfer of writing knowledge. In this essay, I argue that a research paper's failure to work as a utterance situated within a conversation--as critiqued through a framework constructed by Mikhail…

Literature, which deals with truth, should be the focus of the English department instead of writing, which is a trivial technology. (DD)

Describes the English program and the role it plays at Doane College, Nebraska. (JK)

Examines the current curriculum debate between revisionist (liberal) and revanchist (conservative) theorists. Argues that critical and self-critical interactions on both sides are needed to promote intellectual consideration of the problem of curriculum design. (MM)

To describe the largest division in the University of California (Los Angeles) writing program, this report focuses on placement and testing procedures, curricular principles, course descriptions and goals, and staffing concerns. The first part of the report discusses the components of the Freshman Writing Program--including the English…

Describes how the English department at Merrimack College set out to revise the English curriculum as a participant in the MLA-FIPSE English Programs Curriculum Review Project. Shows how the faculty redesigned the curriculum, and articulates two strategies marking the successful phases of the process. (HB)

Argues that the current electronic environment forces English studies into competition and combination with extra-verbal codes and languages. Describes a specific approach to reading, composing, and teaching the problematic combination of verbal and nonverbal features in texts conceived for or in electronic environments. Describes continuities…

The English Department at Fort Hays State University revised its literature curriculum to contract the course offerings and yet eliminate gaps by basing the revision on the theory that students need to be exposed to a course, but not necessarily a number of courses, in each of the basic areas of organization such as authors, periods, genres, etc.…

In designing a course for teaching English as a second language, it is imperative for a curriculum planner to know the present academic attainment and the desired level of performance of the students at the end of the course. The curriculum planner must take sociological, linguistic, psychological and pedagogical factors into consideration. The…

The theory behind curriculum branching (course options extending from the core curriculum) shows how such extensions can aid the writing curriculum by fruitfully integrating branching into the sequencing of writing courses. The theory first reminds educators of the complex mix of developmental factors and individual differences--of step-by-step…

Some of the best undergraduate teaching now going on in American colleges and universities is described in this special report, part of a series published twice each year. The three disciplines focused upon are Biology, English, and Political Science. Four of the best learning experiences from each field are presented, each the subject of an…

Based on a literature review, this paper proposes an approach to identifying indicators of learning for English composition courses at the college level. Section 1 provides a rationale for using curricular artifacts as a means to identify indicators. Section 2 describes the proposed taxonomy of model indicators and its framework which uses the…

Although English teachers must spend 40 to 60% of their teaching time in developing the listening, composition, reading, and speech skills of their students, most college English programs allow only 8% of the professional course time for teacher preparation in these skill areas. Even in those colleges that offer a language arts major, the majority…

Examines the study of literature and literary values, the need for such study, and the problem of justifying such study. (RL)