Fall Semester

Composition I

Composition I is a one semester writing course that prepares senior students for the types of communication and thought essential to academic and working-world success. The course focuses on writing as a process intended to help students identify and refine their own personal writing process. This is a NICC Contract Course (ENG:105 ) worth 3 college credits. Students must have a qualifying score on the Accuplacer or ACT test. Sections are limited to 22 students. We will determine how many sections based on student interest. (Qualifying Scores Required: Accuplacer Writing score of 5-8, ACT score of 18 in English, and cumulative GPA) Qualifying score (including April ACT) and cumulative GPA will be used to determine student enrollment. A student must be a senior and have taken high school Composition during their junior year in order to be considered for enrollment in NICC Composition I.

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Speech

Speech enables students, through practice, to develop communication skills that can be used in a variety of speaking situations (such as small and large group discussions, and delivery of speeches in front of audiences). Communication topics include verbal and nonverbal communication, perception, listening, and interpersonal communication. Speech topics include the development of self-confidence, managing communication, apprehension (stage fright), writing for verbal delivery, stylistic choices, visual and presentation skills, researching and organizing, outlining, presenting, and analysis, critique and evaluating different types and purposes for public speaking. Speeches presented include introduction, demonstration, informative, persuasive, sales, impromptus, literature interpretation, and special occasion.

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Spring Semester

Composition II

This one semester writing course focuses on writing as a process with emphasis on persuasion, evaluation, analysis, investigation, research and documentation of sources. Prerequisite: Composition I with a minimum grade of C- or an equivalent college-level course in composition. This is a NICC Contract Course (ENG:106 ) worth 3 college credits. Qualifying score and cumulative GPA will be used to determine student enrollment.

 

English II

English II offers a balanced focus on composition and literature. Students learn about the alternate aims and audiences of written compositions by writing persuasive, critical, and creative multi-paragraph essays and compositions. Through the study of various genres of literature, students can improve their reading rate and comprehension and develop the skills to determine the author’s intent and theme and to recognize the techniques used by the author to deliver his or her message. This course covers various genres of literature, with writing exercises linked to reading selections.

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Public Speaking

An introductory course that emphasizes actual speaking experiences with practice choosing subjects, analyzing audiences, and preparing and delivering a variety of extemporaneous speeches. Opportunity will be given to develop skills in listening and group discussion techniques. This is a junior/senior NICC Contract Course (SPC:112) worth 3 college credits. This will count as an English elective starting in the 2021-2022 school year.