Liberal Studies
Department of
Liberal Studies
The NTID Department of Liberal Studies (DLS) provides opportunities for all students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to reach their academic potential and become responsible, global citizens and life-long learners. Faculty meet the needs of students through a variety of communication strategies as well as offering a unique approach to educating deaf and hard-of-hearing students in RIT’s College of Liberal Arts (CLA).
Partnership with RIT's College of Liberal Arts
NTID Department of Liberal Studies faculty members partner with RIT's College of Liberal Arts faculty members to provide specialized instruction and tutoring.
Developmental English Program
The Developmental English Program is designed for students to begin developing the skills necessary for understanding and using written English in AOS degree programs at NTID. Additional information can be found in the English Handbook.
NENG-102
Introductory Reading and Writing I
Lecture 6, Credits 6
This is a developmental English language course at the first level offered at NTID in which students begin developing the skills necessary for understanding and using written English in AOS degree programs at NTID. World knowledge topics are presented in various media and provide the context in which students learn to: comprehend and use the basic constituents of English sentence; develop a content word vocabulary of about 4000 words; and practice strategies for improving reading comprehension and written expression. In order to continue their reading and writing skill development in Intermediate Reading & Writing I (NENG-112) students must complete this course with a C or better. (NTID Reading Test score below 50 and NTID Writing Test score below 80).
NENG-103
Introductory Reading and Writing II
Lecture 4, Credits 3
This is a developmental English language course at the first level offered at NTID for students who begin with reading skills higher than those in NENG-102 or have received an E grade in NENG-102. Students continue developing the skills necessary for understanding and using written English in AOS degree programs at NTID. World knowledge topics are presented in various media and provide the context in which students learn to: comprehend and use more of the basic constituents of English sentences; develop a content word vocabulary of about 4000 words; and practice strategies for improving reading comprehension and written expression. In order to continue their reading and writing skill development in Intermediate Reading & Writing I (NENG-112) students must pass this course. (NTID Writing Test score below 40 and NTID Reading Test score 80 to 97 or grade of “D” in NENG-102).
NENG-112
Intermediate Reading and Writing I
Lecture 3, Credits 3
This is the first course in a two-course developmental English language sequence at the second level offered at NTID in which students work on reading and writing skills necessary for AOS programs at NTID. General topics in science and humanities provide the context in which students review the basic constituents of English sentences, begin to develop skills for comprehending and using complex sentence elements, increase their English content word vocabulary to about 5000 words, learn to use independent reading strategies, and develop skills for writing paragraphs and longer compositions. Upon successful completion of this course, students will continue their reading and writing skill development in Intermediate Reading & Writing II (NENG-113).
NENG-113
Intermediate Reading and Writing II
Lecture 3, Credits 3
This is the second course in a two-course developmental English language sequence at the second level offered at NTID for students who have completed Intermediate Reading & Writing I. Students continue to work on reading and writing skills necessary for AOS programs at NTID. General topics in science and humanities provide the context in which students use the skills included in Intermediate Reading & Writing I, develop skills for comprehending and using additional complex English sentence elements, increase their content word vocabulary to about 6000 words, begin to evaluate reading tasks to select appropriate reading strategies, and expand their skills for writing paragraphs and longer compositions. Upon successful completion of this course, AOS students will continue their reading and writing skill development in Career English courses.
NENG-199
Independent Study: English
Ind Study, Credits 1 - 6
The description for each Independent Study request will be specified in each course proposal.
NENG-212
Career English I
Lecture 3, Credits 3
This is the first course in a two-course sequence. It is designed to develop reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary skills that students need for AOS course work and for the work environment. The reading and writing components are thoroughly integrated with approximately equal time being devoted to each. Grammar and vocabulary are thoroughly integrated into the reading and writing components. Course content includes general and technical articles, memorandums, letters, electronic communication, directions, work-related forms, and short report.
NENG-213
Career English II
Lecture 3, Credits 3
This is the second course in a two-course sequence. It is designed to advance and refine reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary skills that students need for AOS course work and for the work environment. The reading and writing components are thoroughly integrated with approximately equal time being devoted to each. Grammar and vocabulary are thoroughly integrated into the reading and writing components. Course content includes general and technical articles, memorandums, letters, electronic communication, directions, work-related forms, and short reports.
NENG-221
Analytical Reading and Writing I
Lecture 3, Credits 3
This is the first course in a four-course intensive English sequence. In this course, selected shorter readings give students the opportunity to strengthen their reading comprehension skills and world knowledge. Readings will include nonfiction, fiction, and theme-based articles from library databases. The readings also serve as prompts for writing at both the paragraph and essay levels. While developing their expository writing skills, students learn to recognize and apply the traditional rhetorical modes used in writing. Students also will develop skills in summary writing. Other components of the course include grammar and vocabulary instruction, along with editing and proofreading strategies. Vocabulary is taught both incidentally as it appears in readings and formally using a vocabulary text. The readings follow a specific theme and also will serve as models for examining style, organization and grammar. In order to continue their reading and writing skill development in Bridge to College English I (NENG-231) and Bridge to College English II (NENG-232), students must complete this course and co-requisite Analytical Reading and Writing II (NENG-222) with grades of “C-” or better. (NTID Reading Test score 98-124 and NTID Writing Test score 50-59, or by department permission.
NENG-222
Analytical Reading and Writing II
Lecture 3, Credits 3
This second course in the four-course intensive English sequence continues to strengthen students’ reading comprehension skills and world knowledge, with an added emphasis on critical reading, thinking, and writing. Readings will include nonfiction, fiction, and theme-based articles from library databases. Students identify and examine an author’s purpose and tone, bias, assumptions, opinions, facts, examples, evidence, patterns of organization, and audience. Students also develop inference and deduction skills while learning to recognize and avoid overgeneralization and oversimplification in their writing. This course, which follows a specific theme, includes a short novel or novelette— fiction or non-fiction—as part of the required reading. In order to continue their reading and writing skill development in Bridge to College English(NENG-231) and Bridge to College English(NENG-232) students must complete this course and co-requisite Analytical Reading and Writing I (NENG-221) with grades of “C-” or better. (NTID Reading Test score 98-124 and NTID Writing Test score 50-59; or by department permission.
NENG-231
Bridge to College English I
Lecture 3, Credits 3
This is the first of two Bridge to College courses that also serve as the final two courses in the four-course intensive English sequence. This course exposes students to a variety of reading material, including nonfiction, fiction, and theme-based articles from library databases. It includes a reading of a full-length novel, either fiction or non-fiction, and it offers strategies for reading comprehension and interpretation beyond prior courses where applicable. Students will engage in a variety of writing activities related to the readings. Vocabulary is taught both incidentally as it appears in readings and formally using a vocabulary text. In order to qualify for testing and placement in Written Communication (NENG-241), Critical Reading and Writing (UWRT-100) or First Year Writing: Writing Seminar (UWRT-150) students must complete this course and co-requisite Bridge to College English II (NENG-232) with grades of “C-” or better. (NENG-221 and NENG-222 with grades of C- or better, or NTID Reading Test score 125-144 and NTID Writing Test score 60 or greater.
NENG-232
Bridge to College English II
Lecture 3, Credits 3
This is the second of two designated Bridge to College English courses that also serve as the final two courses in the four-course intensive English sequence: This course provides advanced instruction on expository writing with a focus on refining writing skills introduced in earlier courses where applicable. This course also provides instruction on responding to multiple-part writing prompts. Students taking this as a stand-alone course will use readings from textbooks and online and database sources as the basis for their writing. The course provides further instruction in integrating sources into writing. Some writing assignments may be managed through journal entries. In order to qualify for testing and placement in Written Communication (NENG-241), Critical Reading and Writing (UWRT-100) or First Year Writing: Writing Seminar (UWRT-150) students must complete this course and co-requisite Bridge to College English I (NENG-231) with grades of “C-” or better. (NENG-221 and NENG-222 with grades of C- or better or NTID Reading Test score 136-144 and NTID Writing Test score 60 or greater) .
NENG-289
Special Topics: English
Lecture, Credits 1 - 6
The description for each Special Topics request will be specified in each course proposal.
DLS Tutoring Program
The Department of Liberal Studies Tutoring Program (DTP) provides an extensive network of tutoring support for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. DTP offers a wide variety of peer and professional faculty tutors. Tutors work with students on their reading and writing assignments at NTID as well as provide reading and writing support for all courses throughout RIT. Both peer and professional faculty tutors are skilled in American Sign Language and English.
Students should meet first with their professors and discuss the most appropriate support available. In some courses, professors provide tutoring for their own courses. In other cases, professors can advise students where to go for additional tutoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
References to the Department of Liberal Studies Handbook or English Handbook can be found in this document.
