UN 1015: College Writing, Reading, and Research

In UN 1015, students learn to analyze and produce communicative texts for a variety of audiences, contexts, and purposes. As they examine the communicative practices at work all around them, students learn to employ those strategies appropriately in their own projects. In the process, they develop a beginning familiarity with rhetoric, genre, critical reading and writing, research, assessing information, using sources, and collaboration.

While the written word remains the primary mode of communication for most academic work, UN 1015 recognizes multimodal composing—that is, communicating information not just through writing but also through visual, audio, and other modes of communication that are increasingly common in our digital and face-to-face environments.

Rhetorical & Genre Awareness:

• Compose and organize rhetorical content in multiple genres, demonstrating strategic decision making.
• Choose appropriate conventions (tone, style, and design) across a range of genres.

Critical Reading and Research:

• Select and integrate sources effectively, using strategies appropriate for the writing task.
• Make source use visible through a recognized and appropriate citation style.

Writing and Research Process Knowledge:

• Use and explain writing strategies throughout a recursive writing process.
• Use and explain research strategies throughout a process of academic inquiry.

While individual sections throughout Michigan Tech’s composition program represent diverse teaching styles, all students must complete four writing projects.  There is some variation in how each section approaches these projects, but the basic requirements and learning objectives are standard for all sections. As such, in all sections of UN 1015, students complete a topic survey report; a worknet and synthesis essay; a research-based journal article; and a multimodal project. In addition, students demonstrate their writing and research processes through assessment using a portfolio system at midterm and the end-of-the semester.