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 .