Composition Program
About the Composition Program
The Composition Program provides two courses that are part of the UCD core curriculum: English 1020 and English 2030. These courses are required of students in all colleges at UCD.
The Composition Program introduces students to academic conversations at the university and continues the lifelong process of preparing students to engage the many reading and writing opportunities they face in their communities and in the world. An explanation of the goals of English 1020 and 2030, and how they relate, is contained under "Outcomes" (see navigation bar on right).
In short, English 1020 provides opportunities to write for different purposes and audiences, with an emphasis on learning how to respond to various rhetorical situations; improving critical thinking, reading and writing abilities; understanding various writing processes; and gaining a deeper understanding of language conventions. English 2030 is conceived as a research-based course where argumentative research papers are written, though there are also other important, substantial, and graded writings that build necessary skills. Students in English 2030 meet the goals of English 1020 at a higher level, and they produce polished writing informed by personal, observational, and academic research (rather than simply “reporting” the facts and ideas of others). The passing grade for each course is a C-, and both are approved Colorado Statewide Transfer Course.
Recent doings in the Program are documented in CompNews, the Composition Program newsletter. Click here for the latest edition.
ABOUT THIS WEBSITE
Most “technical” questions about course equivalencies, AP credit, etc. are answered under “Program Policies." You may send any additional questions to Amy Vidali (Director of Composition) at amy.vidali@cudenver.edu.
ABOUT teaching in the composition program
For information about applying to be a Teaching Assistant in the Composition Program, please click on "Faculty" (right) and scroll to the bottom of the page. Email addresses for those currently teaching in the Program may also be found on this page.