That course doesn't look like a typical English class. The fact that it's cross listed with another department adds to that. Personally, one of my big issues with high school English was that for the most part I didn't give a hoot about the stuff I had to write about. If this course looks interesting to you, then that won't be an issue. In my first year I took a Philosophy course that looks like it has a bit of overlap with this one, and I loved it.
It's my opinion that you should seek out electives that sound interesting, and then consider what the prof is like and how difficult the course is. So this course seems to satisfy that first thing for you. You'll have to get input from people with experience with the course and professor for the other two (I think there's a Mac specitic forum, Macinsiders or something?). Unless the prof is no good, or it has a reputation for being super brutal, I say go for it though ;)
Also, remember that the courses you register for aren't set in stone now. You can change during the first week or two of the term as well, so if you go to the first class or two and don't like it, you can sign up for something else.
Oh, and about the marks - I find if you're really interested in the course material, the marks come a lot easier (since if you're interested, it's easier to keep up with the readings, get into the essay, etc). But even if you do do poorly in it, first year marks don't count for a whole lot. If you're going to screw up a course, now's the time.
