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Every Penn State student is required to take both a First-Year Writing (English 15, 30, or 137/138) and an Advanced Writing in the Disciplines (English 202A, B, C, or D).  Within these broad categories there are specialized offerings as well, including honors options.  Determine your specific needs and goals, then see Courses for details.

First Year Writing: FAQs
Which first-year course should I take?

First, determine your placement recommendation from the Undergraduate Advising Handbook.  Placement in first-year writing courses is guided by your score on the ACT or SAT Evidence-Based Reading exam, your background and goals.

Then review the course descriptions for first-year writing courses. The Penn State PWR offers a variety of options.

Are there specialized courses for first-year writing?

Yes! In addition to ENGL 15: Rhetoric and Composition, the PWR offers specialized first-year courses, including:

  • ENGL 15S, Exploring Your Options at College,
  • ENGL 15E, Enhanced Support,
  • ENGL 15A, Culture and Diversity,
  • ENGL 30T: Exploring Your Options at College (Honors)
  • ENGL 30: Freshman Composition (Honors)
  • ENGL/CAS 137/138: Rhetoric and Civic Life (Honors)

Note: Not all specialized courses are offered every semester.  See Courses for details.

 

 

 

How can I find specialized courses in LionPath?

In LionPath, click the course, then scroll down to “Notes.”   This is where you will find out if the course is specialized.

Remember: Not every specialized course is offered every semester.  Check Courses for details.

How do I enroll in a specialized course?

To enroll in a specialized course, contact Lynn Setzler.

Remember: Not every specialized course is offered every semester.  Check Courses for details.

Advanced (202) Writing: FAQs
Which advanced writing (202) should I take?

The advanced writing (202) course you take is determined by your major.  Check your major’s requirements or speak with your adviser to determine which course you will need.

The PWR offers general courses for all students as follows:

  • English 202A: Writing in the Social Sciences
  • English 202B: Writing in the Humanities
  • English 202C: Technical Writing
  • English 202D: Business Writing

We also offer specialized courses:

  • English 202A: Neurodiversity
  • English 202B: Writing in the Arts
  • English 202B.012: Literacy
  • English 202C: Makers and Modders
  • English 202D: Business English for International Students

Note:  Not all specialized courses are offered every semester.  See Courses for details.

Are there specialized 202 courses?

Yes!  Currently, the PWR offers the following specialized courses:

  • English 202A: Neurodiversity
  • English 202B: Writing in the Arts
  • English 202B.012: Literacy
  • English 202C: Makers and Modders
  • English 202D: Business English for International Students

Note:  Not all specialized courses are offered every semester.  See Courses for details.  To find these specialized courses in LionPath, click the course, then scroll down to “Notes.”

How can I find specialized courses in LionPath?

In LionPath, click the course, then scroll down to “Notes.”   This is where you will find out if the course is specialized.

Remember: Not every specialized course is offered every semester.  Check Courses for details.

How do I enroll in a specialized course?

To enroll in a specialized course, contact Lynn Setzler.

For ENGL 202B.012: Literacy, you can enroll through the course website.

Remember: Not every specialized course is offered every semester.  Check Courses for details.

When can I enroll in a 202 course?

Typically, you must have earned 44.1 credits and be considered 4th-semester standing in order to enroll in a 202.

Specialized courses have a prevent all control.  In order to enroll in a specialized course, you must contact Lynn Setzler.  See Contact.

There may be special sections of some of the 202 courses that are controlled for certain majors. Be sure to double check the controls if you are unable to get in to the course.

I have 4th semester standing, but I still can't schedule the course. Why?

There may be controls on the course.  Check the “Notes” section in LionPath for that course to see if there is a “prevent all” control, and why.

To enroll in a specialized course, contact Lynn Setzler.

Can my instructor give permission to override me into a class?

No, PWR instructors are not allowed to override students into their courses.

 

Many of the sections are full. How do I get in?

English 202 courses fill up quickly.  We suggest that you get on as many wait lists as you can.  Openings often pop up during the drop/add period.

We can override you into a section, but only if you are a graduating senior or studying abroad your senior year – and if you have the proper documentation.

Important: PWR instructors are unable to override students into their sections.

I am a graduating senior and I haven't been able to schedule a 202. What should I do?

If you are a graduating senior – graduating in the current semester for which you are scheduling – here is what you should do:

  • Get an official letter from your Department Advisor stating you are filing your intent to graduate and that you need the course to graduate.
  • File your intent to graduate
  • Send or deliver the letter from your advisor to Lynn Setzler.
  • Keep trying to enroll until midway through the add/drop period the first week of the semester.  We can’t override you into a course before then. Try to get on as many wait lists as you can.

If you have followed all these steps and you are still unable to enroll, we can override you into a section, which could be either in-residence or online. Note: We can’t guarantee your enrollment into a specific section.  Also, we can only assign a section based on your class schedule, not your work schedule.

 

I will be studying abroad my senior year and need to take the course now. What should I do?

If you will be studying abroad your senior year and need to take the course now, here is what you should do:

  • Get an official letter from your department advisor stating you that you will be studying abroad during your senior year and that you need to take the course this semester.
  • Send or deliver the letter from your advisor to Lynn Setzler.
  • Keep trying to enroll until midway through the add/drop period the first week of the semester.  We can’t override you into a course before then. Try to get on as many wait lists as you can.

If you have followed all these steps and you are still unable to enroll, we can override you into a section, which could be either in-residence or online. Note: We can’t guarantee your enrollment into a specific section.  Also, we can only assign a section based on your class schedule, not your work schedule.

 

I need the course to satisfy a prerequisite. Can you override me into a section?

Unfortunately, we cannot override you into a course based on a prerequisite course requirement.  However, your college may choose to adjust this prerequisite requirement. We suggest checking with your advisor to see if it would be possible.

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