Course Descriptions
Southwestern Michigan College’s Developmental Studies Department provides students with the foundation of basic academic skills that significantly increases opportunities for success in college. Developmental courses are offered in reading and study skills, writing, arithmetic, algebra and courses in successful college orientation and personal development.
Students who enroll in development courses may receive supplemental instruction, tutoring support and advising. Although each developmental course carries college credit, these credits may not transfer to other institutions and, in general, do not fulfill any college subject matter requirements. They are, however, prerequisites to regular college courses and programs and, with the exception of courses below the 100 level, do count toward the total number of credits needed for graduation and are counted in the grade point average.
The courses offered through the Department of Developmental Studies or taught by Developmental Studies faculty are listed in the right-hand column on this page. By using the subject and course numbers, there are several ways to view course descriptions for courses. Follow the link to the Course Catalog on this page, to search by subject for course descriptions or use the Schedule of Classes to search for current course offerings for a particular course.
| Subject | Number | Course Name |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL | 101 | Freshman English I |
| ENGL | 103 | Freshman English II |
| ENGL | 251 | Children’s Literature |
| ESL | 086C | English as a Second Language - Discourse, Level 1 |
| ESL | 086R | English as a Second Language - Reading, Level 1 |
| ESL | 086W | English as a Second Language - Grammar and Writing, Level 1 |
| ESL | 150C | English as a Second Language - Discourse, Level 2 |
| ESL | 150R | English as a Second Language - Reading, Level 2 |
| ESL | 150W | English as a Second Language - Grammar and Writing Level 2 |
| ESL | 151C | English as a Second Language - Discourse, Level 3 |
| ESL | 151R | English as a Second Language - Reading, Level 3 |
| ESL | 151W | English as a Second Language - Grammar and Writing, Level 3 |
| ESL | 152C | English as a Second Language - Discourse, Level 4 |
| ESL | 152R | English as a Second Language - Reading, Level 4 |
| ESL | 152W | English as a Second Language - Grammar and Writing, Level 4 |
| MATH | 100 | College Arithmetic |
| MATH | 101 | Introductory Algebra |
| READ | 100 | College Reading |
| SPAN | 101 | Elementary Spanish (Humanities Department) |
| SPAN | 201 | Intermediate Spanish (Humanities Department) |
| SPS | 103 | Career Exploration |
| SPS | 105 | Achieving Academic and Personal Success |
| SPS | 110 | First Year Experience I |
| SPS | 111 | First Year Experience II |