Women’s Studies

College of Arts and Letters

WMST 200. Introduction to Women’s Studies

Interdisciplinary introduction to theories and scholarship in women’s studies. Course also examines implications of gender, society’s definition of women and the experiences and contributions of women. Provides a foundation for subsequent work in the women’s studies minor. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

WMST 400. Issues and Research in Women’s Studies

A capstone course for the women’s studies minor. This seminar requires a knowledge of seminal works. A major portion of the course is devoted to individual research related to critical issues in women’s studies. Prerequisites: WMST 200 and nine additional credits approved by the Women’s Studies Advisory Committee.

WMST 490. Special Studies in Women’s Studies

Designed to give capable students in women’s studies an opportunity to complete independent study under faculty supervision. Admission by recommendation of the instructor and permission of the program coordinator.

WMST 492. Internship in Women’s Studies

Provides the student with practical experience in employing and refining women’s studies concepts in a public or private agency, under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: Nine hours of women’s studies courses, including WMST 200.

WMST 495. Special Topics in Women’s Studies

In-depth examination of selected topics of current importance to the field of women’s studies. Offered only with approval of the program coordinator and dean of the College of Arts and Letters. May be repeated for credit when course content changes. Prerequisite: WMST 200 or consent of instructor.

Writing

The Writing Program

WRIT 100. Reading and Writing Workshop

An introduction to writing process and structure in a workshop setting. This is an elective course for students who want to select an introductory-level college writing course before taking GWRIT 103.

GWRIT 103. Critical Reading and Writing

The course emphasizes the process of constructing a focused, logical, coherent, well-supported thesis, or point of view. The students will employ research and formal documentation to produce writing stylistically appropriate to its audience, purpose, and occasion. The course also places emphasis on editing for clarity and control of conventions. Instruction in writing and research includes critical analysis of primary and secondary sources through a series of reading and writing assignments. Students are prepared to use reading and writing in their personal, academic, and civic lives. GWRIT 103, or its equivalent, fulfills the General Education Cluster One writing requirement and is a prerequisite for all WRIT courses numbered 200 or above.

WRIT 210. Written Argumentation

An advanced course in the development and analysis of argumentative strategies across a range of academic, professional, and popular writing contexts. Emphasis will be given to classical and contemporary rhetorical theory as applied to the cultural, historical, disciplinary, and professional bases for written communication. Prerequisite: GWRIT 102, GWRIT 103 or equivalent.

WRIT 220. Rhetorical Traditions

An introduction to historical rhetoric and its relationship to reading, writing, and speaking in modern contexts. Emphasis will be placed on defining rhetoric—its traditions, terms, and enduring realms of influence. Prerequisite: GWRIT 102, GWRIT 103 or equivalent.

WRIT/ENG 290. Intermediate Composition

This course stresses the argumentative and persuasive essay as well as grammar and usage.

WRIT 310. Studies in Literacy

An advanced research and writing course designed to explore the important role that literacy plays in society. Students will examine the concept of literacy through historical, political, sociological, educational, and cross-cultural lenses. Prerequisite: GWRIT 102, GWRIT 103 or equivalent.

WRIT 320. Writing in the Public Sphere

Students will conduct a rhetorical examination of written texts that influenced and brought about change in the public sphere. Prerequisite: GWRIT 103 or equivalent.

WRIT 330. Technology and Writing

An advanced research and writing course that explores the interrelationships of technology, literacy, and society. Students will examine the influences of past, present, and future technological innovations on our practices as readers and writers. Students may have the opportunity to compose in hypertext and multi-media environments. This course is writting-intensive. Prerequisites: GWRIT 103 or equivalent.

WRIT 340. Teaching Writing

The course introduces students to the major philosophies, theories, and pedagogies of teaching writing. Special attention is devoted to suchpractical matters as understanding and developing effective writing assignments, methods of responding to student texts-in-progress and evaluating writing. Prerequisite: GWRIT 102, GWRIT 103 or equivalent.

WRIT/ENG 396. Advanced Composition

Extensive exercises in expository writing, with emphasis on rhetorical types of composition, designed to develop sophistication of style in the student's writing.

WRIT 399. Independent Study in Rhetoric and Writing

An opportunity for independent study in rhetoric and composition. In consultation with the supervising instructor, students will choose a customized course of study from a variety of topics in rhetoric and composition. Prerequisites: WRIT 210 and WRIT 220. Enrollment is contingent upon Faculty and Departmental approval.

WRIT 400. Special Topics Seminar in Rhetoric and Writing

A focused, in-depth study of specific areas or subjects in rhetoric and composition. Topics may pertain to issues relevant to the discipline, to the study of particular rhetorical theories and practices, or to the study of significant figures in the field. Seminars may be repeated for credit when course content changes. Prerequisites: WRIT 210 and WRIT 220.

WRIT 410. Studies in Cultural Rhetorics

The course will investigate the ways in which definitions of our identity (including class, gender, race and ethnicity, sexuality, nature, and religion, among others) acquire cultural significance through written and symbolic expression. Students will examine a variety of different “texts” from a range of theoretical perspectives. Prerequisites: WRIT 210 and WRIT 220.

WRIT 430. Studies in Styles and Stylistics

An advanced writing intensive study of stylistic history, theory, and practice. The course acquaints students with the origins and history of different writing styles, current stylistic theory and practice and gives them the opportunity to write in different styles including experimental ones. Students will analyze the relationship between rhetoric and writing style and analyze and produce stylistically diverse pieces of academic, public, and personal writing. Prerequisites: WRIT 210, WRIT 220, or permission of instructor.