Students are taught the skills of speechmaking. Students focus on the following basic elements: rhetorical theory, researching, organizing and outlining a topic, analyzing an audience, effective use of language, ethics, effective presentation aids, critical listening, credibility, and physical delivery. Students will be required to attend speech activities outside of the classroom environment.

English 001A is the first course in a transfer level sequence (English 001A, 001B) designed to equip students with the skills necessary for writing college level compositions. The course emphasizes expository writing, critical reading, and research techniques. Students are required to produce a series of academic essays including a documented research paper in conventional format. Analysis of readings and the practice of writing processes create the bases for student essays. All English 001A students will take a Department Final which will be holistically scored by at least two faculty members and will represent 20% of their course grade.

This course surveys selected Mexican American authors to develop an awareness of the experiences and literary contributions of Mexican Americans living in the United States. The course is designed to heighten critical awareness of the image of the Mexican American in distinct genres of literature. The focus will be on works written from mid 20th century to the present.

This course is an introduction to the study of statistics. It does not require a knowledge of calculus but does assume a familiarity with the concepts of intermediate algebra. Students will learn methods of displaying data, descriptive statistics, basic concepts of probability theory, random variables, common statistical distributions, estimates and sample size, hypothesis testing, goodness-of-fit test, contingency table analysis, tests of two independent population parameters, and regression and correlation. Students will apply basic statistical concepts to data from education, business, social sciences, and natural sciences. To aid in the analysis of data, the use of technology will be required.

This course introduces students to playing the guitar, including music notation and sight-reading, correct positioning and technique, chords, strums, arpeggios. Students will play and learn basic ensemble and solo pieces and songs.

Students will further develop their ability to play guitar, including reinforcement and refinement of sight reading, utilize correct technique, and play chords, arpeggios, and strums. Students will play with and for class members and perform ensembles, solo pieces and songs.