Beginning in the fall semester of this year, the English department will offer a new program in Writing Studies.  The new curriculum examines how writing functions in the world.  Students will learn to analyze and practice persuasive strategies in a wide variety of contexts.  They will also be introduced to the academic study of writing, such as understanding their own and others’ writing processes.  Graduates with this specialty will be well prepared to face many professional and academic writing situations. 

 

Core:  All candidates for the Minor in Writing Studies must take the following core course:

• ENGL 272:  Introduction to Writing Studies

Electives:  Candidates will select four of the following elective courses—at least two must be from the English Department and at least one must be at the 400 level
 

• ENGL 280:  Rhetoric of Race 
  
• ENGL 311:  Advanced Composition
• ENGL 312:  Technical Writing
• ENGL 313:  Fundamentals of Journalism
• ENGL 316:  Business Writing
• ENGL 340:  Visual Rhetoric 
  
• ENGL 342:  Reading and Writing for Civic Change 
  
• ENGL 466:  Special Topics in Writing Studies Seminar 
  
• ENGL 471:  Creative Writing

• COMM 342 Theories of Rhetoric
• COMM 403 Persuasion
• COMM 430 Culture and the Semiotics of Communication

• GERM 460:  Introduction to Translation and Interpretation
• FREN 460:  Introduction to Translation and Interpretation
• RUSS 460:  Introduction to Translation and Interpretation
• SPAN 460:  Introduction to Translation and Interpretation
  

Capstone:  Candidates will select one of the following capstone courses:

• ENGL 400:  Cooperative Education
• ENGL 472:  Writing Workshop

The Option in Writing Studies enables English B.A. or B.S.Ed. majors to pursue concentrated study in the discipline of writing, specializing in sub-fields such as the history of rhetoric and composition, literacy, theories of writing pedagogy, and writing and multi-media.  
 
Students in the Writing Studies option will take the following:
 
Core:  All candidates must take the following core course:

• ENGL 272:  Introduction to Writing Studies

Electives:  Candidates will select two of the following elective courses—at least one must be from the English Department and at least one must be at the 400 level:

• ENGL 280:  Rhetoric of the Color Line
• ENGL 312:  Technical Writing
• ENGL 313:  Fundamentals of Journalism
• ENGL 316:  Business Writing
• ENGL 340:  Visual Rhetoric
• ENGL 342:  Reading and Writing for Civic Change
• ENGL 466:  Special Topics in Writing Studies Seminar
• ENGL 471:  Creative Writing
• ENGL 472:  Writing Workshop

• COMM 342 Theories of Rhetoric
• COMM 403 Persuasion
• COMM 430 Culture and the Semiotics of Communication

Capstone: Candidates will select one of the following capstone courses:
 

• ENGL 400:  Cooperative Education
• ENGL 491:  Thesis (3-credit)

 

This certificate offers an accelerated way for adult learners to obtain or strengthen their writing skills for personal and professional success.