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The Writing Program has principal responsibility for preparing USC students to write successfully
in their academic and professional careers and ensuring that they meet the University's composition requirement.
To give you the foundation in academic writing, critical reading and analytic thinking expected in college-level writing, USC's General Education program requires at least two courses in composition.
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Most students entering USC complete two semester courses to fulfill this writing requirement: at the freshman level Writing and Critical Reasoning (Writing 140), a course offered in affiliation with General Education Category VI (Social Issues) course, and an advanced writing course (Writing 340) generally taken during the student's junior year at USC.
In addition, on the basis of a placement examination administered at USC, certain students are required to complete an introductory course prior to enrolling in Writing 140, either Introduction to College Writing (Writing 120) or Introduction to College Writing in a Second Language (Writing 121), the companion course for non-native speakers of English.
We are dedicated to serving the writing needs of all USC students. Here on our web page, you will find information about our program, our courses, and writing tools to help you write successfully in your academic and professional life.