HNRS 1112 - Seminar in Academic Inquiry and Writing

Prerequisites: placement by the English Department or a grade of C or better in ENGL 1103; enrollment restricted to students in the Honors Program. This seminar introduces students to the conventions of academic writing and the habits of critical inquiry they will need in university courses and beyond. Students read and annotate texts on a topic (or topics) selected by the instructor, develop original avenues of inquiry through classroom discussion, and transform their questions into well-supported academic arguments. Assignment sequences incorporate opportunities for research, drafting, revision, editing, and reflection to help students find writing processes that can be replicated in future courses and workplace projects that require only polished work. Because different disciplines and career paths present different scenarios for critical thinking and writing, this course also teaches students how to adapt the conventions of academic inquiry to a variety of contexts. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on how the ability to ask questions, conduct research, and articulate complex ideas will contribute to their honors thesis projects as seniors. 3 credits.