This course reviews reading, writing, and research skills to assist students in college-level coursework. It will focus on improving reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and effective strategies for managing complex texts. It will also emphasize effective sentence writing skills, paragraph writing, and organized essay development using a multi-stage writing process. Students will learn to develop their own ideas by strengthening critical thinking skills and using information from multiple sources. This course does not satisfy any degree requirement.
Prerequisite: Placement test
This course focuses on paragraph development and organization. It includes types of paragraphs, idea development, coherence, and effective transition. It introduces essay writing and is designed for the student who has college-level reading ability but is not yet ready for the rigor of ENG 101. The course helps to prepare students for English Composition I. This course does not satisfy any degree requirements.
PREREQUISITE: ENG099 or Placement
Composition I is an introductory course in writing that develops critical thinking and prepares students to write college-level essays and research papers. Students are writing in various rhetorical formats and develop papers that closely examine and challenge ideas from academic texts. Students are required to complete an argumentative research paper of 5-8 pages using MLA documentation.
PREREQUISITE: ENG101
In this course, students will continue to develop their writing skills, with an emphasis on proper research procedures and critical analysis of primary and secondary sources. Students will be required to read the various genres of literature and interpret them in relation to texts drawn from other disciplines. An interpretive research paper of 7-10 pages in MLA documentation will be required.
This enhanced version of English Composition II (ENG 102) at Roxbury Community College integrates approximately 25% Africa-related content, supported by the African Studies Center at Boston University through a Course Enhancement Grant. Designed to further develop students’ reading, writing, and research skills, the course emphasizes critical analysis of primary and secondary sources, reader-response strategies, and interpretive writing across genres. The revised curriculum expands its literary scope to include a more robust exploration of African literature, adding a diverse range of texts that reflect traditional African oral traditions, as well as modern satiric, realist, and experimental forms. Students will engage with a historical spectrum of African literary works that examine colonialism, anti-colonial resistance, decolonization, nationalism, and the ongoing redefinition of cultural identity in postcolonial societies. These themes will be explored through the lens of race, gender, language, and globalization—providing students with a more nuanced understanding of Africa’s literary and political landscapes. While the course retains its foundational objectives—requiring students to produce an 8–10-page research paper using MLA documentation and contributing 30% to the final grade—it will now offer greater opportunities for students to analyze African perspectives and contextualize them within global literary frameworks. Through moderate yet meaningful reading assignments and critical class discussions, students will leave this course with a deeper appreciation of African literature and enhanced fluency in literary interpretation, research, and rhetorical expression.
COREQUISITE: ENG101
This course explores techniques for effective public speaking in both large and small group settings. Students will develop effective communication skills
through a variety of classroom discussions and oral presentations. In addition, students will explore the appropriate use of a variety of oral communication styles.
Course Prerequisites: ENG 102
This course offers a survey of British literature from the Middle Ages to the eighteenth century. We will explore each historical period through a selection of literary texts, tracing the significant links between literature and major cultural, scientific, and political developments in Great Britain and the world. We will examine recurring themes in British literature across the ages and learn about major aesthetic movements and genres.
Prerequisite: ENG102
Using a variety of rhetorical strategies, the student will write expository and argumentative essays based on critical analysis of college-level reading selections. An opportunity to do advanced research is also provided. This course refines the skills developed in English Composition I and 11 and is strongly recommended for transfer students. This course is not a substitute for ENG102.
PREREQUISITE: ENG102
This survey course exposes students to writers from ancient times to the 17th century. Students will read work chosen from Biblical, Greek, Roman, Asian, African, Medieval, and Renaissance literature.
PREREQUISITE: ENG102
A broad range of writers and literary styles will be examined in this course. Students will read the works of American, European, African, South American, and Asian writers from the late 17th century to the present, with a focus on Neoclassical, Romantic, Realistic, Naturalistic, and Modern Literature.
Prerequisite: ENG 102
This course will cover the literary contributions of African-American authors from early poetry and spirituals to contemporary Black literature. Students will develop an understanding of African-American Literature by identifying various genres, forms, and historical periods such as slave narratives, the Harlem Renaissance, the Black Arts Movement, and Afro-Futurism. We will compare, contrast and integrate major themes in African-American literature such as freedom, civil rights, alienation, identity, and double consciousness. Moreover, students will describe the relationship between a literary text to its historical, cultural, and social context
PREREQUISITE: ENG102
As an introduction to American literature, this course provides a chronological survey of American literature from the Colonial period through the Civil War. The relationship between literature and American life and culture will be examined in the works of authors from a variety of social segments.
Prerequisite: ENG 102
This course is a chronological survey of literature in America from the post-Civil War period to the present. The emergence of modern American literature as a response to cultural, social, and economic changes will be explored in the works of authors from all segments of society.
PREREQUISITE: ENG102
This course will introduce students to various writers from Africa and the Caribbean, ranging from the 18th century narrative of Olaudah Equiano to contemporary writers. Students will read novels, stories, and poetry from Africa and the Caribbean. The readings will be considered in the historical contexts of their origin and their shared experiences, as expressed through the emergence of Pan-Africanism, the Negritude Movement of the early twentieth century, and the subsequent struggles for political independence from colonial powers.
PREREQUISITE: ENG102
The novel is an important genre in the modern world. By reading novels selected by theme, students will gain an appreciation for the genre as well as insight into the thematic content and cultural context. The course will emphasize close reading of several novels as well as writing critical essays. Themes may include human rights, images of women, utopias/dystopias and others.
PREREQUISITE: ENG102
The focus of this course is to expose students to short stories written by authors from around the world. Students will read, discuss, and critique short stories and respond to "The Critical Questions for Reading the Short Story" and other literary questions. The Critical Questions refer to the stories' characters, plot, structure, symbolism, settings, atmosphere, narrators, writing style, and themes.
PREREQUISITE: ENG101
Students enrolled in this course will learn the techniques of collecting information and will examine different forms of newspaper and newsletter writing and
layout. Journalism is used as a means of introducing students to relevant social and philosophical issues.
PREREQUISITE: ENG 251
Building on skills developed in ENG 251, students are introduced to advance reporting techniques. Interviewing, cultivating resources, and feature-writing techniques are discussed in addition to the submission of frequent writing assignments.
PREREQUISITE: ENG 101
This course offers the focus and discipline that are necessary for students with an interest in creative writing. It emphasizes the essential elements required for writing short stories and poetry. Students' work and good writing models will be read and discussed in class.
This course will take the form of an advanced seminar in classical literature, embracing various cultural milieu. Students will examine a particular genre of literature, the purpose of which is to deepen their understanding of the interrelationships of character, conflict, setting, and language and to explore the meaning in a single literary work.
Prerequisite: ENG-102; Faculty Recommendation; and a 3.0 GPA.
Students enrolled in this course will have the opportunity on further developing their skills and learned Journalism l & ll. As interns directly involved in the production process, students are expected to participate in the production of each monthly publication by writing stories, selling advertising space, and producing, mailing and distributing the newspaper. After consultation with the instructor, students will be expected to complete their writing assignments independently.
Prerequisite: ENG-251; and ENG-252
