A new writing course, which was offered for the first time this semester, could be made permanent come spring — and, some fear, a replacement for the literature-themed ENG 117 classes.
According to BUSIPlus (official BUSI records were not available as the system has been revamped), 23 separate ENG 117 classes were offered last spring, most with two discussion sections each. This spring, according to the BU Brain, 56 WRIT 111 classes, but no ENG 117, will be offered.
Peter Knuepfer, an environmental studies professor at Binghamton University, said he felt the new course appeared to be set up as a “de facto freshman writing course.” Knuepfer said that, while he wasn’t against the proposal, he felt discussion was necessary.
“It’s an important issue for us all to consider,” he said.
Al Vos, a professor of English and Hinman College’s faculty master, echoed Knuepfer’s sentiments. Vos said he was asking the Harpur College Council and its committees, which will discuss the proposal at Harpur College Council’s next meeting on Dec. 3, to do a thorough job of looking at all of the issues regarding the course.
“What I’m looking for is a comprehensive presentation to the HCC about all of the aspects of making this a new, permanent course,” he said.
Vos emphasized that he was not for or against the course, but rather concerned about the process.
According to Knuepfer, the addition of the course should also be discussed in a broader context because, he said, it could mark a change in approach to writing courses at the University.
Members of HCC, of which Knuepfer is the representative of the interdisciplinary studies, voted Tuesday to postpone the discussion of a proposal to make WRIT 111, intended as a freshman writing course, a permanent fixture within Harpur College.
“I think people rightly pointed out that this needed more discussion, which we’re happy to have,” Donald Nieman, dean of Harpur College, said.
Nieman, who serves as chair of HCC, said the class was being presented as another option for students, not as a requirement.
“What we’re trying to do with WRIT 111 is to provide a consistently delivered high-quality writing course for first-year students,” he said.
Nieman said he thinks written communication is an important skill for students. The course would help freshmen develop skills necessary to become effective writers, he said, which, in turn, would help them become successful in other courses and professions.
Student Association Vice President for Academic Affairs Peter Spaet also emphasized that the proposal was to approve the course, not make it a requirement.
“It [the proposal] doesn’t mandate a number of sections,” Spaet said. “It doesn’t mandate anything else but that it’s being offered.”
Spaet said he believed students would ultimately decide if WRIT 111 will become a mandatory class. He said this is because the University would want to offer more seats in more popular classes.
“If or when it’s proposed to be mandatory, if the students are opposed to it then I will do everything possible to oppose it,” Spaet said. “I don’t think that the desire to have one course offered is enough reason to deny another course and people as the option to take it.”
According to Nieman, ENG 117 classes should still be offered in the future, though probably not as many. Nieman also said the addition of WRIT 111 was not “a knock on ENG 117.”
“It’s a different kind of course and a different kind of experience,” he said.