ENGL 1010: Writing at Tulane University
The Freshman Writing Program (FWP) teaches English 1010, a 4-hour course, as a rigorous introduction to academic writing and discourse. We offer multiple sections each semester, usually between 35 and 40, with 15 students each. While sections may center on different themes, every section teaches students the fundamentals of analysis, argument, research, and reasoning to help them succeed during their university educations.
The core objectives of the freshman writing course are to improve the student’s ability to write complex, coherent, and clear arguments that reflect a strong knowledge of the essay’s subject matter. These objectives are met through a series of scaffolded writing assignments, including a culminating research project, that include opportunities for editing and revision throughout the term.
The Freshman Writing Program is administered by the Department of English. To contact the Director of Freshman Writing about staffing for freshman writing courses, please email freshmanwriting@tulane.edu.
Transfer Guidelines
If you are a Tulane student who believes you have completed this requirement outside of Tulane, please consult with the advising office and refer to the transfer guidelines and submission procedures below.
AP/IB Credit for ENGL 1010
Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses do not transfer. Students must take the appropriate exam and submit scores for credit.
- AP score: 4 or 5
- IB score: 6 or 7 (applies to matriculation date spring 2018 and forward)
Transfer Credit
Permission for transfer credit from other baccalaureate degree-granting colleges and universities may be recommended on a course-by-course basis. The Freshman Writing Program (FWP) approves transfer courses if they meet the academic standards of ENGL 1010, which include the following criteria:
Transfer courses must meet one of these criteria:
- One 4-credit-hour introductory composition course.
- One 3-hour introductory composition course that is the sole first-year writing course required at the host institution.
- 2 introductory composition courses in a 2-course sequence. For example, if the host institution offers 101 and 102, then the student must have credit for both to transfer as ENGL 1010.
Transfer courses must include all of these criteria:
- approximately 30 pages of formal written prose (we assign 4 major papers and several smaller papers as well as in-class writing in 1010);
- significant instruction in writing, rhetoric, and argumentation;
- engagement with scholarly sources through a major research project;
- not focus only or primarily on literature.
Dual Enrollment
In general, the FWP does not accept dual enrollment credit for college courses taken by high school students at a high school rather than at a college campus. In exceptional circumstances, the FWP will examine transfer credit applications for dual enrollment courses if they meet the same rigorous academic standards for ENGL 1010 (see above).
Online Courses
The Freshman Writing Program does not provide transfer credit for online courses.
Minimesters
The Freshman Writing Program does not provide transfer credit for courses taken over a minimester. The course must last a minimum of five weeks at the host institution.
Submission Procedures
To apply for ENGL 1010 credit, follow this procedure:
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Email materials to the Director of Freshman Writing at freshmanwriting@tulane.edu.
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Budget time appropriately. Reviews can take a month or more.
The writing program will review complete applications that contain the following digital PDFs:
- Transfer credit approval form (obtained from advising)
- Syllabus with clear description of required papers, major topics, and grade distribution
- A link to or copy of the host institution’s university catalog list of English courses. (This list should show whether there is a one or two-course sequence for first-year writing.)
- If submitting paperwork for dual transfer credit, a copy of the college transcript showing the course was taken at the college, not the high school