University Learning Outcome

English 120/122 satisfies the General Education Communication Outcome, which states: Students will use a variety of modes, particularly written, oral, artistic, and visual to: effectively communicate analysis, knowledge, understanding, expression and/or conclusions; skillfully use high-quality, credible, relevant sources; demonstrate appropriate conventions in a variety of communication situations; and demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences in a variety of contexts.

English 120/122 Specific Learning Outcomes

To satisfy the General Education Communication Outcome, students in English 120/122 learn to communicate in a rhetorically effective manner, in a variety of genres for various audiences, purpose, and situations. English 120/122 emphasizes multimodal and academic genres, and extends reading and writing to include genres common in public communication situations. To this end, students will:


  • Recognize how genre depends on situation, audience, and purpose through close reading and analysis of a variety of genres (particularly those used in public situations and academic settings).
  • Compose and organize rhetorical content, which may include personal observation, argument, analysis, and synthesis, appropriate for a range of genres, situations, purposes, and audiences.
  • Choose appropriate conventions, writing tone and style, and document design for a range of genres, situations, purposes, and audiences.
  • Demonstrate meta-awareness of rhetorical concepts (genre, audience, purpose, situation, tone/style, etc.) through written reflections.


Additionally, students in English 120/122 learn to integrate knowledge and ideas in a coherent and effective manner. English 120/122 instructs students in library and web research skills and introduces field research as an additional means of finding or generating ideas and knowledge. To this end, students will:

  • Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate for a variety of genres, situations, purposes, and audiences. Sources may be popular or scholarly, and print- or web-based, and primary or secondary.
  • Use evidence, some of which may be derived from personal experience and field research, to demonstrate an awareness of a larger conversation and multiple viewpoints surrounding an issue.
  • Integrate evidence appropriately in writing through summary, paraphrase, or direct quotation.
  • Cite sources accurately and consistently in the text and on a Works Cited page, using an established style sheet (such as MLA or APA style). 
Top of page