In the 1990s, English professors in Texas decided to change our second semester composition course from a continuation of Comp I to an introduction to literature course. Composition training was then shrunk to fit into one semester.
Recently, the state coordinating board has decided that students need more training in writing and to enforce that, has created a new course description for comp II. It reads:
Intensive study of and practice in the strategies and
techniques for developing research-based expository and
persuasive texts. Emphasis on effective and ethical
rhetorical inquiry, including primary and secondary research
methods; critical reading of verbal, visual, and multimedia
texts; systematic evaluation, synthesis, and documentation
of information sources; and critical thinking about evidence
and conclusions.
This has created a controversy among faculty. Some
argue that this return to the view of composition as a two semester sequence
will benefit our students greatly. Others are looking for ways to continue
to teach a literature-based course while finding a way to make it fit into this
new description. There is much disagreement on the issue at this time. The
change is effective immediately .