English 099 @ Prairie State College

Experiments with Structure and Curriculum

Before 2005…

English 0994 credit hours

Reading 0994 credit hours

The new English 099

English 0994 credit hours

Reading 0994 credit hours

English 0996 credit hours

(writing + critical inquiry)

The new English 099

English 099 – 6 credit hour course• Combines instruction in writing with instruction

in critical inquiry/reading• Often team-taught by two instructors• Placement based on writing sample

The results

PROS• Higher levels of intellectual engagement and

excitement among students and faculty• High-interest texts for discussion• Reading in the context of writing, writing in the

context of reading

The results

CONS• 6 credit hours is a long time and eats up

financial aid• Students who don’t “need” Reading instruction

have to take full course

099 learning communities

English 0996 credit hours

(writing + critical inquiry)

Gen Ed(Psych, Bio, Sociology, Business)

3-4 credit hours

The results

PROS• Specific intellectual context• Motivation of credit-bearing course

CONS• Difficulty enrolling enough students• “high school feel”

The “new” new English 099

English 0996 credit hours

(writing + critical inquiry)

English 0993 credit hours(writing only)

Gen Ed(Psych, Bio, Sociology,

Business)3-4 credit hours

English 101(transfer course)

English 0993 credit hours(writing only)

1

2

3

The “new” new English 099

English 0996 credit hours

(writing + critical inquiry)

Same as before—team-taught, same curriculum

BUT only students who need instruction in both writing and Reading

The “new” new English 099

English 0993 credit hours(writing only)

Gen Ed(Psych, Bio, Sociology,

Business)3-4 credit hours

Learning communities model…

The “new” new English 099

English 101(transfer course)

8 students +16 students

English 0993 credit hours(writing only)

8 students

“Accelerated” model

jevans@prairiestate.edu

For more information and conversation…