TheDepartment of Writing and Rhetoric Studies seeks to equip students for both academic success and participation in a full range of rhetorical occasions they will encounter in their lives as citizens and professionals. The study of rhetoric and composition incorporates a wide range of topics, including literacy studies, rhetorical traditions, writing pedagogy, cultural rhetorics, and technology and writing. Students wishing to pursue concentrated and advanced training may elect the Minor in Writing and Rhetoric as a valuable complement to a host of different academic majors and professional fields of interest.

Course Requirements
(NOTE: GWRIT 103 is a prerequisite for all other Writing courses. Students who have previously taken GWRIT 102 may substitute that course as an equivalent for GWRIT 103.)

Required Core: 6 credit hours

WRIT 210: Written Argumentation. 3 Credits
An introduction to the development and analysis of argumentative strategies across a range of academic, professional, and popular writing contexts. Emphasis will be given to the cultural, historical, disciplinary, and professional bases for written argumentation.

WRIT 220: Rhetorical Traditions. 3 Credits
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.

Four electives: 12 credit hours

WRIT/ENG 290: Intermediate Composition. 3 Credits
This course stresses the argumentative and persuasive essay as well as grammar and usage.

WRIT 310: Studies in Literacy. 3 Credits
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.

WRIT 320: Writing in the Public Sphere. 3 Credits
An advanced study of the production and consumption of texts in both civic and professional spheres. Students will analyze and employ the conventions that govern writing by individual citizens; writing by volunteer and non-profit organizations; and writing by both small and large business organizations.

WRIT 322: The Art of Making a Difference, Service Learning. 3 Credits
Using readings and community service, this course explores political and social activism through writing and rhetoric. Combines theory and writing with hands-on projects in the community.

WRIT 330: Technology and Writing. 3 Credits
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.

WRIT 340: Teaching Writing. 3 Credits
The course introduces students to the major philosophies, theories, and pedagogies of teaching writing. Special attention is devoted to such practical matters as understanding and developing effective writing assignments, methods of responding to student texts-in-progress, and evaluating writing.

WRIT 345. Tutoring Writing. 3 credits.
This writing-intensive course integrates the theory and practice of tutoring writing in academic settings and is suited for preparing tutors and teachers who will use writing across the disciplines. The course includes an internship in a campus writing center and provides students opportunities to develop as writers, scholars and professionals. Students will be eligible for, but not guaranteed, employment in a university writing center. Prerequisites: WRIT 210 and 220, or permission of instructor.

WRIT/SCOM 351: Visual Rhetoric. 3 Credits
A study of the rhetorical foundations of visual and verbal arguments in academic disciplines and popular culture. Students will analyze and produce visual and verbal arguments in a variety of rhetorical contexts. Prerequisites: WRIT 210 and 220, or permission of instructor.

WRIT 395: e-Vision Internship. 1 Credit. May be repeated.
Experimental course that counts toward the Minor in Writing and Rhetoric. Prerequisites: permission of instructor.

WRIT/ENG 396. Advanced Composition. 3 Credits
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. 3 Credits
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. Prerequisite: WRIT 210 and 220, or permission of instructor. Enrollment is contingent upon Faculty and Departmental approval.

WRIT 400: Special Topics Seminar in Rhetoric and Writing. 3 Credits
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. Prerequisite: WRIT 210 and 220, or permission of instructor.

WRIT 410: Studies in Cultural Rhetorics. 3 Credits
The course will investigate the ways in which definitions of our identity (including class, gender, race and ethnicity, sexuality, nature, and region, among others) acquire cultural significance through written and symbolic expression. Students will examine a variety of different "texts" from a range of theoretical perspectives. Prerequisite: WRIT 210 and 220, or permission of instructor.

WRIT/SCOM/WMST 420. Feminist Rhetorics. 3 credits.
Surveys key women figures in classical and contemporary rhetorical traditions and challenges the strategies used to historicize this tradition from feminist perspectives. Explores diverse feminist rhetorical discourses informed by race, sexual orientation, ethnicity and social class. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing.

WRIT 430: Style and Stylistics. 3 Credits
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 and 220, or permission of instructor.

Writing courses offered by other departments may be counted as electives (with the approval of the Writing Program Director).