Description
Writing is fundamental in learning to think and express one’s thoughts in ways that reach others. The ability to use language coherently and powerfully and to write in ways that connect with others across cultural boundaries and within communities is essential to active citizenship and to success in almost any profession. The writing courses at PCC enable students to inquire, to discover, to inform, to persuade, and to think creatively, preparing them to transfer to universities and evolve vocationally.
PCC’s English Composition Program courses prepare students for the written work of upper division courses and graduate education; also, writing courses meet the requirements for several associate degree and certificate programs at PCC. For students who wish to transfer to a four-year Oregon college or university, WR 121Z, WR 122Z and/or WR 227Z satisfy the writing course requirements. Writing transfer courses are offered under the subject headings of English Composition, Business and Technical Writing, and Creative Writing. Students majoring in technical areas or business are encouraged to take WR 227Z.
In addition, PCC's Creative Writing Program offers students one of the largest selections of creative writing courses in Oregon. These include poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and screenwriting workshops and a publishing course that allows students to edit and design both their own chapbooks and a campus literary magazine. Students may also pursue a Creative Writing Focus Award. Successful completion of WR 115 is a prerequisite for creative writing classes; completion of WR 121Z is recommended.
Courses numbered 117 and below in Reading (RD), Writing (WR), and Integrated Reading Writing (IRW) help students prepare for PCC academic and career technical programs and their chosen careers. Courses in this series include integrated reading and writing courses as well as separate stand alone reading courses and stand alone writing courses. Classes and services are offered at Cascade, Rock Creek, Southeast Campus and Sylvania. For accurate placement, students should contact the nearest campus orientation or answer center.
Conferences are an integral part of the instructional process in all writing courses, and students should expect at least two per term. The process for placement is as follows:
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Students new to college who completed high school within the past 7 years will be placed using high school grades and/or test scores.
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Students new to college who have been out of high school for 7 years or more will request reading and writing placement.
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Students transferring to PCC from another college will be placed using college transcripts.
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Students returning to PCC after an absence may be placed based on their previous PCC coursework.
WR 90. Writing 90. 3 Credits.
Instruction includes sentence structure, paragraph and essay development, and written expression. Students can expect to increase working vocabulary and improve skills in basic communications. Prerequisite: Placement into WR 90 or completion of WR 80 and placement into RD 90 or completion of RD 80 with a "C" or better. Audit available.
WR 90C. Writing 90C. 3 Credits.
Includes instruction in grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, essay development, and critical thinking skills. Improves basic writing skills by learning to use simple and complex sentences in developing a good essay, and by developing critical thinking skills that are used in the writing process. Prerequisites: Placement into WR 90 or completion of WR 80; Placement into RD 90 or completion of RD 80. Audit available.
WR 92A. Basic Grammar. 2 Credits.
Instruction in grammar including punctuation, sentence structure, and the writing process. WR 92A and WR 92 are equivalent. Only one may be taken for credit. Prerequisite: WR 80 and RD 80 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
WR 93. Basic Grammar. 3 Credits.
Overview of some fundamental principles of American English grammar including parts of speech, sentence types, sentence analysis, simple/compound/complex sentences, subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, selected homonyms, punctuation, capitalization, and avoidance of fragments, run-ons, and other errors. Audit available.
WR 105. Writing for Scholarships. 2 Credits.
Explores approaches to autobiographical writing required for completing scholarship applications. Covers responses to typical scholarship essay prompts. Develops scholarship essays through journaling and sharing essay drafts. Introduces the practice of revising and rewriting material in different ways to respond to different audiences and prompts. Prerequisite: Placement into WR 115 or instructor approval. Corequisites: Concurrent enrollment in CG 105. Audit available.
WR 115. Introduction to College Composition. 4 Credits.
Offers broad preparation for using writing in service of student success. Provides supported opportunities for practice in reading critically, locating information, exploring ideas, and writing to learn. Prerequisites: Placement into WR 115 or completion of (WR 90 or ESOL 262 or IRW 90) and placement into RD 115 or completion of (RD 90 or ESOL 260 or IRW 90). Audit available.
WR 121Z. Composition I (WR121=WR121Z). 4 Credits.
Provides the opportunity to engage in the study and practice of critical thinking, reading, and writing. Focuses on analysis and composition across varied rhetorical situations and in multiple genres. Provides the opportunity to apply key rhetorical concepts flexibly and collaboratively throughout the writing and inquiry processes. This course is part of Oregon Common Course Numbering. WR 121 and WR 121Z are equivalent. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
WR 121HZ. Composition I: Honors (WR121H=WR121HZ). 4 Credits.
Honors version. Provides the opportunity to engage in the study and practice of critical thinking, reading, and writing. Focuses on analysis and composition across varied rhetorical situations and in multiple genres. Provides the opportunity to apply key rhetorical concepts flexibly and collaboratively throughout the writing and inquiry processes. This course is part of Oregon Common Course Numbering. WR 121ZH and WR 121ZHZ are equivalent. Prerequisites: 3.25 GPA and placement into WR 121Z, or completion of (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115. Audit available.
WR 122Z. Composition II (WR122=WR122Z). 4 Credits.
Builds on concepts and processes emphasized in WR 121Z through engagement with inquiry, research, and argumentation in support of writing development. Focuses on composing and revising in research-based genres through the intentional use of rhetorical strategies. Includes strategies to find, evaluate, and interpret complex material, including lived experience; use of this material to frame and pursue research questions; and integration of the material purposefully into compositions. This course is part of Oregon Common Course Numbering. WR 122 and WR 122Z are equivalent. Prerequisites: WR 121Z or equivalent. Audit available.
WR 122HZ. Composition II: Honors (WR122H=WR122HZ). 4 Credits.
Honors version. Builds on concepts and processes emphasized in WR 121Z/WR 121HZ through engagement with inquiry, research, and argumentation in support of writing development. Focuses on composing and revising in research-based genres through the intentional use of rhetorical strategies. Includes strategies to find, evaluate, and interpret complex material, including lived experience; use of this material to frame and pursue research questions; and integration of the material purposefully into compositions. This course is part of Oregon Common Course Numbering. WR 122H and WR 122HZ are equivalent. Prerequisites: WR 121Z and 3.25 GPA. Audit available.
WR 123. English Composition. 3 Credits.
Uses extensive research writing to develop skills in critical analysis and documented argument. Students synthesize their considered response to designated text(s) and/or issues with the reactions of other writers. Includes paraphrasing, summarizing, quoting, and documenting using style appropriate to discipline researched. Prerequisite: WR 122. Audit available.
WR 179. Composition Conferencing and Tutoring. 1 Credit.
Explores the techniques and philosophies involved in one-on-one tutoring with students on their writing and reading projects. Provides opportunities for practice of skills learned in the classroom. Prepares students for the work they would find in reading and writing centers. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit Available.
WR 185. English Language: Theory and Practice. 3 Credits.
Explores elements and nuances of Standard English and dialects in both theory and practice. Explores historical, social, and current cultural issues of grammar and language use through reading, discussion, and writing. Prerequisites: Placement into WR 121Z or WR 115 with a grade of C or better. Audit available.
WR 198. Independent Study in Writing. 1-4 Credit.
Provides an opportunity to develop individual projects in creative and expository writing, critical analysis, digital humanities, or special research. Requirement: a written project proposal that must be approved by the instructor and area Dean before registration. Required: Instructor and Dean permission. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
WR 222. Writing Research Papers. 4 Credits.
Develops skills in critical analysis and documented argument through extensive research writing. Covers techniques to synthesize considered responses to designated text(s) and/or issues with the reactions of other writers. Includes information literacy skills developed through the use of library catalogs, professional databases and other forms of research. Includes paraphrasing, summarizing, quoting, and documenting, using style appropriate to discipline researched. At least two conferences required. Prerequisite: Completion of WR 122 with a grade of "C" or higher. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
WR 227Z. Technical Writing (WR227=WR227Z). 4 Credits.
Introduces the production of instructive, informative, and persuasive technical/professional documents aimed at well-defined and achievable outcomes. Focuses on presenting information using rhetorically appropriate style, design, vocabulary, structure, and visuals. Includes opportunities to gather, read, and analyze information and to learn a variety of strategies for producing accessible, usable, reader-centered deliverable documents that are clear, concise, and ethical. This course is part of Oregon Common Course Numbering. WR 227 and WR 227Z are equivalent. Prerequisites: WR 121Z, basic computer literacy, and intermediate word processing skills. Audit available.
WR 239. Creative Writing (Word & Image). 4 Credits.
Focuses on writing and designing work that incorporates both words and images. Explores the techniques, styles, and structures used by established writers and artists of the genre. Includes critiquing and revising work in a workshop setting. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
WR 240. Creative Writing - Nonfiction. 4 Credits.
Introduces creative nonfiction and the writing of essays using creative techniques, such as personal narrative, memoir, nature and travel writing, and literary journalism. Explores the works of established writers for forms, techniques and styles as a context for the production of creative nonfiction for class discussion and analysis. Prerequisite: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
WR 241. Creative Writing - Fiction. 4 Credits.
Focuses on writing short fiction for class discussion and analysis in a workshop setting. Explores the techniques, styles, and structures of the writings of established authors, as well as the creative writing process from development of an idea to revision of a manuscript. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
WR 242. Creative Writing - Poetry. 4 Credits.
Focuses on the writing and submitting of poetry for class discussion and analysis in a workshop setting. Introduces the techniques, structures, and styles of established poets. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
WR 243. Creative Writing - Script Writing. 4 Credits.
Focuses on writing and submitting theatre and film scripts for class discussion and analysis. Studies established writers for techniques, structures, and styles. Prerequisites: (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or equivalent placement. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
WR 244. Advanced Creative Writing - Fiction. 4 Credits.
Explores the creative writing process from development of an idea to revision of a manuscript. Introduces the techniques, structures, and styles of established writers. Prerequisites: WR 241 or instructor permission. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
WR 245. Advanced Creative Writing - Poetry. 4 Credits.
Covers writing poetry, having work critiqued by peers and the instructor, and critiquing the work of others in a workshop setting. Prerequisites: WR 242 or instructor permission. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
WR 246. Advanced Creative Writing, Editing & Publishing. 4 Credits.
Emphasizes development of craft while introducing basics of editing others' manuscripts and preparing them for publication in a variety of forms, including an annual student literary magazine. Prerequisites: (WR 240 or WR 241 or WR 242 or WR 243) and (WR 244 or WR 245) or instructor permission. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
WR 247. Advanced Creative Writing - Scriptwriting. 4 Credits.
Focuses on writing and submitting both drama and screen scripts. Continues the study of established writers for techniques, structures, and styles. Prerequisites: WR 243 or instructor permission. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
WR 248. Advanced Creative Writing - Nonfiction. 4 Credits.
Extends the introduction of creative nonfiction and the writing of essays using creative techniques, such as personal narrative, memoir, nature and travel writing, and literary journalism. Explores the works of established writers for forms, techniques and styles as a context for the production of creative nonfiction. Prerequisite: WR 240 or instructor permission. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
WR 249. Advanced Creative Writing, Editing & Publishing II. 4 Credits.
Extends the introduction to editing manuscripts and designing and publishing printed chapbooks and literary magazines. Prerequisite: WR 246 or instructor permission. Audit available.
This course fulfills the following GE requirements: Arts and Letters/AL
WR 280A. Cooperative Education: Writing and Publishing. 1-6 Credit.
Extends knowledge of writing, editing, publishing, and communications acquired in writing courses through volunteer and/or work time spent in settings that provide learning experiences in these areas. Prerequisite: WR 121Z and department permission required.