What We Teach

Our Mission

The mission of the UNC writing program is aligned with the core values and mission of the university, striving to prepare students to think, act, and communicate effectively in our diverse and global society. Instructors in our writing program focus on enhancing student’s rhetorical knowledge, their genre awareness, and their ability to identify, adapt, and employ various conventions and dispositions across contexts and disciplines. Students in the writing program are provided with formative feedback throughout their processes of writing and research, and instructors emphasize the social nature of writing and the value of revision.

Our Courses

The Writing Program at UNC offers 5 courses through the Department of English. 

• ENG 122 College Composition (3 credit hours, LAW1, GtP CO-1)
• ENG 132 Composition Enrichment (1 credit hour, supplemental academic instruction course)
• ENG 123 Writing and Research Methods (3 credit hours, LAW2, GtP CO-2)
• ENG 225 Research Writing for Contemporary Culture (3 credit hours, LAW2, GtP CO-2)
• ENG 323 Advanced Argument (3 credit hours, LAW3, GtP CO-3)

The Department of English offers numerous sections of ENG 122, ENG 123, and ENG 225 in both fall and spring semesters. ENG 122 and 123 are typically available as online offerings in summer sessions.  ENG 132 is typically offered only in the fall semester, and ENG 323 is most often offered in spring semesters. Class sizes are small so that students can be sure of receiving individualized attention from faculty. 

ENG 122 - College Composition (3)

Extensive practice in writing clear and effective academic prose with special attention to purpose, audience, organization, and style. Instruction in critical analysis and revision. (LAC, gtP)

ENG 132 - College Composition Enrichment (1)

Co-requisite: ENG 122. This one-hour composition enrichment provides supplemental academic instruction with an emphasis on the relationship of reading and grammar to writing. Students who have scored below 18 on ACT in English, below 470 on SAT in English, and/or have below a 2.75 cumulative high school GPA are encouraged to enroll in this course.

ENG 123 - Writing and Research Methods (3)

Instruction in research writing techniques and processes. 
Prerequisite: ENG 122 with a minimum grade of D- or ACT score of 30.0 or higher in English or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 630 or higher or a recommendation from the Directed Self-Placement survey. (LAC, gtP)

ENG 225 - Research Writing for Contemporary Culture (3)

Instruction in research processes focused on contemporary issues in culture.
Prerequisite: ENG 122 or ACT score of 30.0 or higher in English or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 630 or higher or a recommendation from the Directed Self-Placement survey. (LAC, gtP)

ENG 323 - Advanced Argument (3)

Prerequisite: GtCO2, LAC1b, an ACT score of 30.0 or higher in English, or an SAT verbal score of 630 or higher prior to March 2016, or SAT Reading score of 34 or higher after March 2016. Instruction in advanced analysis and production of upper-level college arguments, including extended application of rhetorical and discourse theory. This course emphasizes revision and reflective writing. (LAC, GtP)