ENG 112 Writing/Research in the Disciplines: This course, the second in a series of two, introduces research techniques, documentation styles, and writing strategies. Emphasis is placed on analyzing information and ideas and incorporating research findings into documented writing and research projects. Upon completion, students should be able to evaluate and synthesize information from primary and secondary sources using documentation appropriate to various disciplines.
Note: Appalachian's WAC Program emphasizes teaching transferable skills and knowledge in our second course, Introduction to WAC. In our workshops, we have addressed these competencies by interpreting them as we indicate in italics. While we do not endorse the idea that WAC Composition faculty should know about writing in all disciplines (an unrealistic goal), we do try to learn as much about writing in different disciplines as we can in an attempt to teach the skills that will help students adapt to new writing contexts when they begin work in the majors.
WAC CC112 Presentation [Google Slides]
In 2014, the North Carolina Community College System suggested the following competencies for the 112 course:
l. Read, locate, and evaluate a variety of information using research methodologies appropriate to the disciplines.
Our interpretation of this competency is that we anticipate basic strategies of information literacy across the curriculum, teaching secondary research and primary research and reporting methods (for example, students write about their primary research in a social or natural sciences report format). We work closely with our librarians, who provide resources for writing in a variety of disciplines.
2. Apply research and use writing to achieve a variety of purposes in a variety of disciplinary contexts.
We teach formats beyond the essay, such as digital media reports, science report formats, annotated bibliographies and ethnographical research.
3. Demonstrate accurate and responsible documentation appropriate to the disciplines.
We teach MLA and APA documentation with nods toward other documentation styles. We emphasize the reasons and similarities and differences between these styles and the students' role as members of an academic community.
4. Present, individually or collaboratively, work appropriate to the rhetorical situation.
We emphasize rhetorical analysis by having students analyze a variety of texts from different disciplines and write rhetorical analyses.