Drexel English/Writing Requirements

<p>I noticed that Drexel requires a series of 3 freshman English classes, and beyond that three "writing intensive" courses, two of which must be in the students' major. Students are advised to take one writing intensive course each year. </p>

<p>So...questions for for current/former Drexel students: How difficult/time consuming is the freshman English sequence? How much writing is required? Also, what has been your experience with the "writing intensive" courses in your major? How much writing is involved? </p>

<p>For a student who does not like writing very much, should they be "afraid" of all the writing requirements at Drexel?</p>

<p>Also- if you have used the Writing Center, how helpful is it?</p>

<p>I’m going to bump this because I too am curious what the answers are!</p>

<p>I want the answer to that same question, so I just called to clarify…in addition to the three English classes (101,102,103) you do have to take three “writing intensive courses.” The guy said they are not necessarily English classes, but classes in your major that have a big writing assignment that is graded by an outside person…</p>

<p>After speaking to him, I found this link</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.drexel.edu/engphil/2010_11_Writing%20Intensive%20Listing.pdf[/url]”>http://www.drexel.edu/engphil/2010_11_Writing%20Intensive%20Listing.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>which, at least for MechE, means actually a lot more writing intensive courses because the list of classes needed for your degree has five classes in this category!!! (MEM 380, MEM 491, MEM 492, and MEM 493, CIV 240) </p>

<p>So, doesn’t answer how bad they are, but does answer what they are and how many!</p>

<p>I actually have not taken the freshman sequence of English classes as I received AP credit and skipped them. However from what I hear the workload is not too hard. Of course expect papers to write but it mostly depends on what professor you draw. Yes it matters that much. As for the WI courses I know most majors require two. I have not personally experienced one but to my understanding there are few big reports. Just focus and your daughter/son will do fine. No one enjoys it though I assure you and most dislike writing as well.</p>

<p>Sorry pamom…I was away on spring break and didn’t have internet! Anyway, I thought that the freshman English sequence was VERY manageable. I had more intense English in high school, so this English felt like a breeze for me! Also, English is FAR from my favorite subject, but I actually loved my professor at Drexel and she was always there for me if I had any questions or needed to meet with her to discuss my paper. I took a hybrid class all three terms so it only met for 1.5 hrs during the week, and we had extra online readings/blog posts to make up for it. We did 2-3 papers/assignments per term, but nothing too crazy.</p>

<p>I was a bio major so my other writing intensive courses were lab courses with large lab reports. Also, my senior seminar counted as a writing intensive course. The lab courses were fairly time consuming, but writing the reports was very helpful (retrospectively). </p>

<p>I never really used the writing center; I usually proofed my papers myself or had someone else read it over for me.</p>

<p>thanks for the feedback!</p>

<p>So it sounds like you enjoyed the “hybrid” class (I’m guessing that means part online, part classroom?). Are there many “hybrid” type classes at Drexel? Are they popular?</p>

<p>It’s roughly half and half in terms of the classes offered and what students prefer to take (English lecture-only vs. hybrid). There are a few online-only classes but I wouldn’t recommend them. </p>

<p>Most courses at Drexel are traditional lecture-style. Some classes have a hybrid component, like the upper-division modern languages (1 hr/week “online”). There are some online-only courses, but they’re usually a joke and a GPA booster.</p>