Challenging English 120/122

A course challenge enables an approved student to receive credit for a required course that they believe is not necessary due to their previous skills and experience. To challenge English 120/122, students must have completed the English Placement Survey and received a recommendation to complete a course challenge.

Wondering if a Course Challenge Is Right For You? 

I am a student who...

I am a student who…

  • Benefits from the individualized attention of a teacher;
  • Struggles to complete projects independently;
  • Has poor time management or procrastinates often;
  • Is a traditional university student (18-25 years, full-time enrollment) who plans to complete their education in four years; 
  • Has not attempted, or has not successfully completed, college-level courses, in the past
  • Is a highly self-motivated and independent learner;
  • Is well organized and manages their time effectively; 
  • Has successfully completed college-level courses in the past;
  • Is a transfer student from a community college or university; 
  • Is a non-traditional university student (25 years or older, part-time enrollment, returning to school after many years, etc.)...

 If you answered “yes” to ANY of the above questions, we do not recommend the course challenge option. Instead, plan to enroll in English 120. 

 If you answered “yes” to TWO or more of the above questions, the course challenge option may be a good choice for you. Please read below for more information and talk with your advisor. 

 

Course Challenge Details:

Students who wish to challenge English 120/122 should first contact Dr. Lisa Arnold, Director of First-Year Writing, to review the requirements for the challenge and to determine if a challenge is the right option (note that challenging a course requires the student to pay 50% of the regular tuition. Once a student has met with Dr. Arnold, they should then seek authorization to challenge English 120 from the Office of Registration and Records. Once a student has received authorization, they should complete the Petition for a Course Challenge from the office and follow the steps outlined there. The director of First-Year Writing will function as the instructor for the course. 

The English department uses a portfolio assessment to evaluate whether or not a student should receive credit for English 120/122. Students have to be able to demonstrate through their portfolio that they have met the expected outcomes for English 120/122.

English 120/122 course challenge portfolios consist of:

  • A self-reflective cover letter, in which the student identifies for readers the ways in which the portfolio meets the learning outcomes for English 120/122.  
  • Three distinct genres of the student’s choice, each of which aligns with genres presented in the NDSU First-Year Writing textbook and demonstrates achievement of English 120/122 learning outcomes. 
    • At least one of the genres should appropriately integrate secondary scholarly sources that represent a diversity of perspectives and support the writer’s purpose. 
    • Any genre may integrate primary research collected through interviews or observations. 
    • All research integrated should be properly documented (APA, MLA, or another appropriate style guide).
    • Any genre may incorporate multimodal components (such as audio or visual). 
    • No single genre is expected to meet all of the English 120/122 learning outcomes, but in combination, the genres together should demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes.  
  • A total of 15–18 pages, although a short, well-designed set of projects could result in fewer pages, and the review committee will take that factor into account.

Students challenging English 120/122 will have six weeks to complete the portfolio from the day in which they initiate the process. The portfolio will be read by at least two members of the English department’s First-Year Writing Committee, and students will be notified of their results within three weeks of turning in their portfolio. A successful portfolio will meet or exceed the learning outcomes for English 120/122.

Students who decide to challenge English 120/122 will be given access to the NDSU First-Year Writing textbook, Writing Critically by the director of First-Year Writing. .

Please note: English 110/112 cannot be challenged.

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