Reading and Composition (R&C)

What is the Reading and Composition requirement, and how can I satisfy it?

• The College of Letters and Science R&C requirement is a two course requirement that demonstrates proficiency in academic composition.
  
  
• You should try to complete R&C during your first two years of college. These courses provide an invaluable foundation for more advanced undergraduate studies, which is why we recommend that you make them an immediate priority in your schedule planning.
  
  
• Because R&C courses are required of all students, classes fill up quickly. Most students arrange to sign up for Reading and Composition 1A and 1B courses in their first phase of Telebears registration.
  
  
• Each R&C course must be taken for a letter grade and each must be passed with a C- or better.
  
  
• R&C courses offered by the English, Rhetoric, and Comparative Literature departments tend to fill up quickly simply because they are the departments students generally associate with reading and composition; however, there are a number of departments which offer interesting and challenging R&C courses such as:

  African-American Studies
  Asian American Studies
  Celtic Studies
  Comparative Literature
  English
  Film Studies
  German
  Native American Studies
  Near Eastern Studies
  Rhetoric
  Scandinavian
  Slavic
  South & Southeast Asian Studies
  South Asian Studies
  Theater and Performance Studies
  Women's Studies

  A comprehensive list of courses that satisfy the R&C requirement can be found in the R&C section of Degree Requirements.
  
  

• Each R&C course will require a similar amount of reading and writing. One is not easier than another. Make your choice based on the time, topic, or area of literature that is of interest to you.

For more information about the reading involved with various R&C courses, consult the departmental websites.

Search for R&C courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q - Can I use Advanced Placement test scores to satisfy R&C?

A - Yes. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and GCE (General Certificate of Education) exams in English, depending of the type of exam and the score you've received, may satisfy either one or both halves of R&C.

Q - Can I transfer classes from another college to satisfy R&C?

A - Yes. You should check www.assist.org to determine transferability and equivalency of courses taken at a California community college. For other classes it's best to check with an adviser or evaluator at the L&S Office of Undergraduate Advising in 113 Campbell Hall.

Entry Level Writing

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