All undergraduates must satisfy General Education (GE) requirements Written Communication A and B, ideally by the end of their first year at La Verne. For further explanation of how to meet Written Communication A and B GE requirements, and to understand your placement into these courses, click here.
The first-year writing courses (RCS 109, 110, 111) teach students foundational knowledge in academic writing: rhetorical strategies, writing process strategies, critical thinking/analytical skills, argumentation, knowledge of language and citation conventions, research writing methods and genres, and literacy in electronic environments. Courses offered include the following:
- RCS 109: Academic Writing for Multilingual Students. Students gain a foundational understanding of composing processes and rhetorical strategies at the essay level for writing and reading in English for academic purposes, with continued attention to language conventions in grammar and style. Enrollment by placement only. Pre-requisite to RCS 110.
- RCS 109S and 110S: Writing Studio. Writing Studio provides supplemental one-on-one and small group tutoring for RCS 109 and 110 students. Studio activities include individual and group tutorials, as well as workshops on thesis development, paragraph structure, writing process techniques, reading strategies, punctuation and grammar, and sentence structure. RCS 109S also emphasizes speaking English for academic purposes. Co-requisite: Students must be enrolled concurrently in RCS 109 or 110. One unit. Enrollment by placement only.
- RCS 110: College Writing. Academic writing and analysis; fulfills the Written Communication A General Education requirement (LVWA). Four credits; graded Credit/No Credit or A-F. Minimum grade of C- or Credit needed to fulfill Written Communication A and to enroll into the next course, RCS 111.
- RCS 111: College Writing and Research. This is a research writing course that is themed according to the instructor; fulfills Written Communication B General Education (LVWB) requirement. Students extend their knowledge and practice of MLA and/or APA formats while writing extensive research-based genres, and also gaining skills in information literacy. Four credits; graded Credit/No Credit or A-F. Minimum grade of C- or Credit needed to fulfill Written Communication B and to enroll in upper-division courses in most majors.
- RCS 270: Writing Theory and Practice: Peer Writing Tutor Training. Students gain an understanding of peer writing tutoring theory and application, concurrently fulfilling a five-hour practicum as a peer writing tutor, typically at the Academic Success Center. Four credits; graded Credit/No Credit or A-F. Pre-requisites: minimum grade of B in any of the following: RCS 111, BUS 346, LA 200, or HONR 111. Fulfills General Education requirements: AHFA Hum (History of Fine Arts), GEFAa Fine Arts History and Appreciation, BA Liberal Studies Elective, and UVLL Lifelong Learning.
- RCS 381: Research Writing in the Sciences. This course focuses on analysis and practice of various forms of scientific discourse, with attention to research methods, design of papers, technical style, citation conventions, and editing strategies. It will help students develop command of scientific discourse through multi-stage writing processes, rhetorical communication, active in-class learning workshops, peer review, and individual feedback. These skills will prepare students for completion of a senior capstone project at the University of La Verne and other science-writing tasks in their professional lives.