ENG 1101 and ENG 1121: Differences and Connections

ENG1101 and 1121 together constitute the first year writing sequence at CityTech. Most students are required to take both for their degrees, but students in 2-year programs are generally only required to take ENG1101. The sequence as a whole is designed to improve writing and critical thinking skills. We also aim to help students learn the communication skills they’ll need in school, in the workplace and in their communities.

ENG 1101 asks the students to examine their own linguistic histories and how language has helped shape them. They also work on such critical thinking skills as rhetorical analysis and information literacy, specifically how to analyze the credibility of sources while doing inquiry-based research. In addition, they are introduced to the idea of genre as more than just a label of content. We ask them to consider audience and choose the best genres to reach that audience, learning the skills and practices to work within those genres as they go. ENG 1121 builds on those writing, research, and genre awareness skills by moving from the personal to more professional and community writing. 

Please note that the FYW sequence focuses on composition and rhetorical skills, and is not meant to be a literary history or criticism sequence. You’re certainly welcome (and encouraged!) to teach literature and criticism, but these are not courses based on literary analysis. Instead, they’re based on the living practice of composing texts in many modes and genres. We ask that your assignments adhere to our learning outcomes and follow our unit guidelines.

TYPES OF FYW COURSES:

We have a few different versions of 1101, but they are all meant to achieve the same outcome. Students in all sections pass their 1101 course ready to go on to 1121. The versions of 1101 are:

• Mainstream 1101: This is basic composition.
• Core Books 1101. This is actually mainstream 1101 and only differs in the readings. This curriculum was developed using key humanities texts from authors like Plato and Frederick Douglass. Students don’t know they’re taking a Core Books 1101 when they sign up. There is also a Core Books curriculum for 1121. (see Model Courses for more information and a link to the curricula.)
• Co-requisite 1101: (often called “the co-req”). This is a 6-hour, 3 credit course, in which students get some extra help and scaffolding . See 1101 Co-req for more information.
• ML 1101: “ML” stands for “Multilingual.” This is a 7 hour, 3 credit course, in which students get a bit of extra help with English usage. Please contact the ML co-ordinator for more info.

---

ENGLISH 1101/1121 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

We’re a little in-between course descriptions right now, which is to say that we have voted on and accepted new course descriptions for 1101 and 1121, but they have yet to be approved by College Council (it’s a long process). Until they are, we need to use the old descriptions in our syllabi.

CURRENT COURSE DESCRIPTIONS :

Note: Please use these until otherwise directed. These are the course descriptions in the syllabus templates.

1101: A course in effective essay writing and basic research techniques including use of the library. Demanding readings assigned for classroom discussion and as a basis for essay writing.

1121: An advanced course in expository essay writing that requires a library paper. Further development of research and documentation skills. Assigned literary and expository readings.

---