English Programs: Undergraduate - Department of English - University of Maryland
The Program The Course Assignments Exemptions Revised Curriculum
Civic Engagement and English 101
In April, 2005, the Freshman Writing Program, under the directorship of Dr. Linda C. Macri,
received a grant from the Center for Teaching Excellence to revise the English 101 curriculum to
incorporate concepts and initiatives related to civic engagement as proposed by the UMCP
Coalition for Civic Engagement and Leadership.
The English 101 syllabus put in place in 1992 was inspired by classical rhetorical education,
which had its origins in the public sphere of classical Greece and Rome . Then, students were
trained by teachers such as Aristotle for the purpose of becoming active citizens in the polis.
With this project, the Freshman Writing Program will revise and reinvigorate English 101 by
exploring the ways in which a rhetorical education may, in the 21st century, prepare students for
civic engagement.
In recent years, the call for increased civic education and engagement in post-secondary
education has come from many places, ranging from organizations such as the National Alliance
for Civic Education (NACE) at the national level to local efforts, such as those reflected in the
creation in 2004 of the Team on Civic Engagement and Leadership(1). Recent work in the field
of English Studies, particularly in Composition Studies, also reflects a growing concern about
civic engagement in undergraduate education.
We propose to explore ways to integrate the learning outcomes set forth by the Team on Civic
Engagement and Leadership (and agreed to by the Coalition on Civic Engagement and
Leadership as well) into English 101. Among these outcomes, many, particularly the following,
are already addressed in English 101:
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English Programs: Undergraduate - Department of English - University of Maryland
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Students will know how to apply knowledge from their discipline(s) and others to
pressing contemporary problems.
Students will be able to think critically about complex problems by analyzing,
interpreting, evaluating, and integrating information from multiple sources.
Students will be able to communicate effectively in oral and written forms, to listen
actively, to engage opposing views, and to persuade others.(2)
With this project, we hope to address civic engagement more explicitly. The project will involve
examining ways a variety of ways to incorporate civic engagement into English 101. Working
with the Coalition for Civic Engagement and Leadership, we will also research models
undertaken at other colleges and universities, forge or deepen ties with other UMCP programs
similarly engaged in civic engagement education(3), and prepare teaching assistants and
instructors (the faculty for English 101) to understand and incorporate civic education in their
classroom activities.
1 See the 2004 Report of the Team on Civic Engagement and Leadership , written by the team charged, by Dr.
Linda Clement, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Dr. William Destler, Senior Vice President for Academic
Affairs and Provost, with defining the University's “mission and desired student learning outcomes in the areas of
civic engagement and leadership” (3).
2 Report of the Team on Civic Engagement and Leadership , page 8.
3 The Freshman Writing Program currently offers specific sections of the course to programs such as College
Park Scholars and Honors.
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English Programs: Undergraduate - Department of English - University of Maryland
University of Maryland, Department of English
3101 Susquehanna Hall, College Park, Maryland 20742
(301) 405-3809
Please contact us with comments, questions and feedback.
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