The Program involves two core courses, three areas of study (Writing and Culture, Rhetoric and Composition, Professional Writing, and six thesis credits.
Core Courses -- Required for All Students
ENG 4005 The Practice of Writing 3 credits
An overview of the work of a practicing writer, with exploration of particular genres of interest to individual students in the course. Assignments will include a writer’s history (autobiographical account of interest in writing) and a writer’s apprenticeship (in- depth examination of a writer admired by the student).
ENG 4015 Rhetoric Then and Now 3 credits
Consideration of the history of rhetoric, from Aristotle to the present day, with particular concern both for the ethical considerations involved in persuasive uses of language and for the stylistic choices in developing written work.
Previously Offered Courses (some courses can count in more than one area, but students must take at least one course from each area):
Writing and Culture:
Poetry Today
Writing and Inciting: Road to Revolution in the 1960s
The Book: From Illuminated Manuscript to Hypertext
Rhetoric and Composition:
The Writing Teacher Writing
Composition Theory
Rhetorical Theory: Special Topics, The Rhetoric of Silence
Professional Writing:
Writing the Grant Proposal
Case Study: Public Relations Writing
Case Study: Magazine Writing
Fiction Writing
Poetry Writing
Health Writing
New Media
Writing Studies students think, draft, read, and publish as working writers; critique others writing; and try out new techniques, styles, and genres. In addition, students explore writing through:
- Workshops: Fiction, nonfiction, screen writing, play writing, and poetry classes that focus on writing by workshop participants;
- Case Study Courses: Courses that consider a specific type of professional writing--public relations, grant writing, magazine writing, or medical writing;
- Pedagogy courses: Courses that explore how writing is taught and learned from middle school through college level.
- Writing and Culture courses: Courses that consider the relationship of the writer to the zeitgeist of a particular time.
