XSKR 0500K Skills Dev: CSRW 1

This class introduces and builds critical reading, writing, and thinking skills to prepare for entrance to college-level courses. Students learn essential research and academic writing components, along with evaluation and analysis skills, to successfully engage with a range of college-level texts and writing. Engaged reading strategies for comprehension, evaluation of texts, and developing organized and clear writing are emphasized. Rhetorical awareness is introduced to support strategic learning across academic disciplines. This class is part of a college success reading and writing sequence and is linked to comprehensive college preparation, which includes math and college awareness courses.

Credits

45-55 hours

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence through direct quotes, paraphrasing, and summary when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text
2. Evaluate the argument, reasoning, and validity of claims and evidence in a text
3. Use diverse multimedia formats to learn and communicate about a variety of topics. Use visuals, charts, graphs, websites, slides, and more to develop an understanding of an issue and communicate effectively to specific audiences
4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to the task, purpose, and audience
5. Conduct short and more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating an understanding of the subject under investigation
6. Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences