Written English (WR)

WR 115, INTRODUCTION TO EXPOSITORY WRITING, 3 Credits

Introduction to rhetorical concepts and writing strategies necessary for university level written composition. Includes substantial discussion of grammar, punctuation, and usage conventions of standard written English. Does not satisfy WR 121 requirement.

This course is repeatable for 6 credits.

WR 121, *ENGLISH COMPOSITION, 4 Credits

Focuses on analytical writing and rhetorical awareness. Approaches writing as a dynamic process and mode of inquiry, including acts of information literacy, research, analysis, and revision. Builds flexible strategies for using key rhetorical concepts across multiple genres and attending to issues of audience, purpose, convention, and discourse community. Emphasizes revision, particularly at the sentence- and paragraph-level, and establishing a reflective writing process. The term in which the student takes the course is determined alphabetically. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW1 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing I

Equivalent to: WR 121H

Recommended: WR 130

Available via Ecampus

WR 121H, *ENGLISH COMPOSITION, 4 Credits

Focuses on analytical writing and rhetorical awareness. Approaches writing as a dynamic process and mode of inquiry, including acts of information literacy, research, analysis, and revision. Builds flexible strategies for using key rhetorical concepts across multiple genres and attending to issues of audience, purpose, convention, and discourse community. Emphasizes revision, particularly at the sentence- and paragraph-level, and establishing a reflective writing process. The term in which the student takes the course is determined alphabetically. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW1 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing I; HNRS – Honors Course Designator

Equivalent to: WR 121

Recommended: WR 130

WR 130, FUNDAMENTALS OF GRAMMAR, SYNTAX, AND SENTENCE BUILDING, 1 Credit

Provides opportunities to improve writing at the sentence level. Focuses on the fundamental elements of the sentence (grammar), the principles and rules of sentence structure (syntax), and techniques for writing meaningful, compelling sentences (sentence building). Use modules, activities, and quizzes to advance understanding of grammar fundamentals and to practice writing, editing, and revising sentences. Emphasizes student questions and applying lessons to other academic writing projects.

Available via Ecampus

WR 199, SPECIAL STUDIES, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 201, *WRITING FOR MEDIA, 3 Credits

Introduction to newspaper style. Introduction to reporting. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II

Recommended: Grade B or higher in WR 121 or WR 121H and 30 wpm typing speed

Available via Ecampus

WR 214, *WRITING IN BUSINESS, 3 Credits

Continued practice in writing with an emphasis on the rhetorical and critical thinking demands of writers in business and industry. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better or Exam for Waiver - WR 121 with a score of 1

Available via Ecampus

WR 220, *STORIES OF THE US-MEXICO BORDER, 4 Credits

Analyzes stories from and about the US-Mexico border. Explores and challenges conventional ideas about undocumented immigration in the US and considers immigration as a complex phenomenon with various causes. Examines historical and current causes of migration across the US-Mexico border and the difficulties experienced on the migrant trail. Analyzes discriminatory practices of dehumanization, deportation, and detention and reveals immigrant resistance to oppression. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CPDP – Bacc Core, Perspectives, Difference/Power/Discrimination

WR 222, *ENGLISH COMPOSITION, 3 Credits

Continued practice in expository writing with an emphasis on argumentation and research.

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better or Exam for Waiver - WR 121 with a score of 1

Equivalent to: WR 222H

Available via Ecampus

WR 222H, *ENGLISH COMPOSITION, 3 Credits

Continued practice in expository writing with an emphasis on argumentation and research.

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II; HNRS – Honors Course Designator

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better or Exam for Waiver - WR 121 with a score of 1

Equivalent to: WR 222

WR 224, *INTRODUCTION TO FICTION WRITING, 3 Credits

Discussion workshop. Student work examined in context of contemporary published work.

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II; LACF – Liberal Arts Fine Arts Core

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better or Exam for Waiver - WR 121 with a score of 1

Equivalent to: WR 224H

Available via Ecampus

WR 224H, *INTRODUCTION TO FICTION WRITING, 3 Credits

Discussion workshop. Student work examined in context of contemporary published work.

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II; HNRS – Honors Course Designator; LACF – Liberal Arts Fine Arts Core

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better or Exam for Waiver - WR 121 with a score of 1

Equivalent to: WR 224

Available via Ecampus

WR 228, *WRITING ABROAD, 3 Credits

Prepares students to compose thoughtful, nuanced, and journalistically-grounded writing for a Web-based audience based on experiences studying abroad. By reading deeply in the lifestyle and creative nonfiction genres, students will develop strategies for communicating their observations effectively. Instruction follows an editorial model, allowing students to practice the role of editor, freelancer, and designer, all with an eye towards publishing in a course-affiliated online magazine. To achieve success in this course, students must demonstrate knowledge of writing techniques appropriate to the genre and must demonstrate editorial skill. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better

WR 230, *ESSENTIALS OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR, 3 Credits

Introduces students to the structure of sentences with a focus on beginning grammar. Students in WR 230 will learn the differences between clauses and phrases, how to recognize subjects and predicates in a variety of sentence types, how to avoid the most common grammatical errors in student writing, and how to use punctuation correctly--and with intention. Students will complete readings, watch videos, participate in discussions, and demonstrate understanding through weekly quizzes. They will also challenge themselves with numerous writing activities, and complete writing analysis projects. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II

Available via Ecampus

WR 240, *INTRODUCTION TO NONFICTION WRITING, 3 Credits

Discussion workshop. Student work examined in context of contemporary published work. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II; LACF – Liberal Arts Fine Arts Core

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better

This course is repeatable for 9 credits.

Available via Ecampus

WR 241, *INTRODUCTION TO POETRY WRITING, 3 Credits

Discussion workshop. Rudiments of mechanics and some background in development of modern poetry. (FA) (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II; LACF – Liberal Arts Fine Arts Core

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better or Exam for Waiver - WR 121 with a score of 1

Available via Ecampus

WR 250, *PODCAST STORYTELLING, 3 Credits

Focuses on the skills needed to write, record, and produce informative and engaging podcasts. Students develop themes, write scripts, conduct interviews, and learn to make thoughtful editing decisions in the production of audio podcasts.

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better

WR 252X, INTRODUCTION TO SCREENWRITING, 4 Credits

Focuses on the basic components of screenwriting. Explores professional examples of documents intrinsic to the craft—coverage, story treatments, storyboards, script outlines, series bibles and production drafts for films and television shows. Creates students’ versions of several of these forms to generate creative content through a series of “recipes” designed to teach the core concepts of character, setting, dramatic conflict and visual storytelling.

Equivalent to: FILM 252X

Available via Ecampus

WR 299, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 301, *PUBLISHING AND EDITING, 3 Credits

Invites students to learn about editing and copyediting techniques, broader editorial decisions, and current publishing platforms. Students will learn about scholarly publishing in the U.S. and about how social media and public relations fit into this world. Participants will also explore editing within a rhetorical dimension, considering purpose and audience, as well as conventions of grammar, mechanics, and usage. Students will review a scholarly article reporting on research in editing and/or publishing; as well as develop a publication-ready work of their own. As part of a final project, the class will work toward a collaborative publication. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II

Prerequisite: WR 121 with D- or better or WR 121H with D- or better

Available via Ecampus

WR 303, *WRITING FOR THE WEB, 3 Credits

Concerns the production of instructive, informative, and rhetorically savvy writing for Web-based locations and applications. Helps people find information, get things done, convey their opinions, build communities, and collaborate on complex projects. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II

Prerequisite: WR 121 with D- or better or WR 121H with D- or better

Available via Ecampus

WR 310, WRITING THE YOUNG ADULT NOVEL, 3 Credits

Explores the literary Young Adult (YA) novel by analyzing the plot, character, language, setting, and voice of established authors. Incorporates YA-specific craft elements to produce novelistic and literary writing. Develops and adapts an established structure and outline for a YA novel. Embarks on YA novel writing journey with rigorous revisions from peer review and instructor feedback.

Prerequisite: WR 224 with C- or better or WR 224H with C- or better

This course is repeatable for 6 credits.

WR 320, NARRATIVE MEDICINE: BODIES, BEHAVIORS, AND BELIEFS, 4 Credits

Focuses on contemporary poetry and nonfiction by writers who are medical professionals, patients, and caregivers. Studies the authors’ different perspectives to consider the griefs and joys, concerns and comforts they have in common. Explores the body’s struggles and failures, recoveries and triumphs. Encourages a heightened sense of empathy and develops a practice of thoughtful self-examination through in-depth class discussions and weekly writing prompts.

WR 323, *ENGLISH COMPOSITION, 3 Credits

Continued practice in writing with an emphasis on the elements of style: diction, tone, precision and economy, emphasis, figurative language. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better or Exam for Waiver - WR 121 with a score of 1

WR 324, SHORT STORY WRITING, 4 Credits

Study and writing of the short story. (FA)

Attributes: LACF – Liberal Arts Fine Arts Core

Prerequisite: WR 224 with D- or better or WR 224H with D- or better

This course is repeatable for 8 credits.

Available via Ecampus

WR 327, *TECHNICAL WRITING, 3 Credits

Continued practice in writing with an emphasis on the rhetorical and critical thinking demands of writers in scientific and technological fields. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better or Exam for Waiver - WR 121 with a score of 1

Equivalent to: WR 327H

Available via Ecampus

WR 327H, *TECHNICAL WRITING, 3 Credits

Continued practice in writing with an emphasis on the rhetorical and critical thinking demands of writers in scientific and technological fields. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II; HNRS – Honors Course Designator

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better or Exam for Waiver - WR 121 with a score of 1

Equivalent to: WR 327

WR 329, WRITING FOR LAW AND LAW SCHOOL, 3 Credits

Improves the rhetorical and structural sophistication of persuasive writing, and gives practice in writing the law application essay. Provides a thorough review of logical, grammatical, usage, and sentence-level errors.

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better

WR 330, *UNDERSTANDING GRAMMAR, 3 Credits

Advanced study of traditional grammatical forms and conventional grammatical terms with emphasis on the assumptions underlying the structure of traditional grammar. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better or Exam for Waiver - WR 121 with a score of 1

Available via Ecampus

WR 340, CREATIVE NONFICTION WRITING, 4 Credits

Intermediate study and writing of creative nonfiction.

Attributes: LACF – Liberal Arts Fine Arts Core

Prerequisite: WR 240 with D- or better

This course is repeatable for 8 credits.

Available via Ecampus

WR 341, POETRY WRITING, 4 Credits

Study and writing of verse. (FA)

Attributes: LACF – Liberal Arts Fine Arts Core

Prerequisite: WR 241 with D- or better

This course is repeatable for 8 credits.

WR 353, WRITING ABOUT PLACES, 3 Credits

Utilizing personal experience, reading, and research, students, study, discuss, and practice the conventions of writing about place far and near, global and local, for various audiences and in a range of formats.

Prerequisite: WR 121 with D- or better or WR 121H with D- or better

Available via Ecampus

WR 362, *SCIENCE WRITING, 3 Credits

Students learn and practice the conventions for writing scientific material for a variety of audiences. Involves writing and research assignments, multimedia presentations, lecture, and in-class and online activities. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better

Equivalent to: WR 362H

Available via Ecampus

WR 362H, *SCIENCE WRITING, 3 Credits

Students learn and practice the conventions for writing scientific material for a variety of audiences. Involves writing and research assignments, multimedia presentations, lecture, and in-class and online activities. (Bacc Core Course)

Attributes: CSW2 – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing II; HNRS – Honors Course Designator

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better

Equivalent to: WR 362

WR 383, FOOD WRITING, 4 Credits

Students will write about food and food issues for a variety of audiences, including print and digital, adapting their texts to become increasingly sophisticated critical thinkers and writers who can shape material effectively. Will also address food science and food studies from a historical and cultural background.

Prerequisite: (WR 121 with D- or better or WR 121H with D- or better) and (HC 199 [D-] or PHL 121 [D-] or WR 201 [D-] or WR 214 [D-] or WR 222 [D-] or WR 224 [D-] or WR 224H [D-] or WR 241 [D-] or WR 323 [D-] or WR 324 [D-] or WR 327 [D-] or WR 327H [D-] or WR 330 [D-] or WR 341 [D-] or WR 362 [D-] or WR 362H [D-])

Available via Ecampus

WR 399, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits

Equivalent to: WR 399H

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 399H, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits

Attributes: HNRS – Honors Course Designator

Equivalent to: WR 399

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 401, RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 402, INDEPENDENT STUDY, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 403, THESIS, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 404, WRITING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 405, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 406, PROJECTS, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 407, SEMINAR, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

Available via Ecampus

WR 408, WORKSHOP, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 411, ^THE TEACHING OF WRITING, 4 Credits

Pedagogy and theory in composition; prepares teachers (secondary through college) in writing process, assignment design, evaluation, and grammar. Also focuses on students' own writing.

Attributes: CWIC – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing Intensive Course

WR 414, ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING, 4 Credits

Writing news releases, annual reports, brochures, newsletters, and other PR materials. Writing advertising copy.

Prerequisite: WR 121 with B or better or WR 121H with B or better

Available via Ecampus

WR 420, STUDIES IN WRITING, 4 Credits

Selected topics in rhetoric and composition.

This course is repeatable for 8 credits.

Available via Ecampus

WR 424, ADVANCED FICTION WRITING, 4 Credits

Workshop. (FA)

Attributes: LACF – Liberal Arts Fine Arts Core

Prerequisite: WR 324 with D- or better

This course is repeatable for 8 credits.

WR 435, SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL, & PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION CAPSTONE, 1 Credit

Complete a portfolio comprised of material generated throughout previous courses in the Certificate in Scientific, Technical, and Professional Communication.

Recommended: Completion of 18 credits towards the Scientific, Technical, and Professional Communication Certificate

WR 440, ADVANCED CREATIVE NONFICTION WRITING, 4-8 Credits

An advanced course in creative nonfiction writing, centered around workshops of polished material.

Prerequisite: WR 340 with D- or better

This course is repeatable for 8 credits.

WR 441, ADVANCED POETRY WRITING, 4 Credits

Advanced poetry workshop. (FA)

Attributes: LACF – Liberal Arts Fine Arts Core

Prerequisite: WR 341 with D- or better

This course is repeatable for 8 credits.

WR 448, MAGAZINE ARTICLE WRITING, 4 Credits

Writing the magazine article. Analyzing markets and writing query and cover letters, marketing manuscripts to magazines. Interviewing and researching.

WR 449, CRITICAL REVIEWING, 4 Credits

Writing critical reviews of books, television programs, movies, plays, and restaurants for newspapers and magazines. The role of criticism in popular culture.

WR 460X, WRITING OF THE SEA, 4 Credits

Introduces the traditions and modalities of writing used in marine studies disciplines, including technical, creative, analytical, and journalistic writing. Uses rhetorical structure and strategies to express personal beliefs about, responses to, and ethical commitments toward the world’s oceans.

WR 462, ^ENVIRONMENTAL WRITING, 4 Credits

Writing about environmental topics from multiple perspectives. Includes science journalism, research and writing on current scientific issues and controversies, and theories of rhetoric and environmentalism.

Attributes: CWIC – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing Intensive Course

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better

This course is repeatable for 12 credits.

Available via Ecampus

WR 466, ^ADVANCED TECHNICAL WRITING, 4 Credits

Introduces the texts, contexts, and concepts important to the practice of professional communication in organizational contexts, addressing practical writing skills, rhetoric, and ethics. Course readings concern what professional technical writers do and what theories govern their actions, bridging the gap between real-world problems and academic research. Emphasizes solving real-world writing and communication problems with empirical research, usability testing, and information design.

Attributes: CWIC – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing Intensive Course

Prerequisite: WR 121 with D- or better or WR 121H with D- or better

WR 475, RHETORICS OF RACE, 4 Credits

By exploring the interrelated concepts of race, racialization, and racism, Rhetorics of Race problematizes race as a taken-for-granted phenomenon. Through reading, writing, and discussion, class participants study racial formations as historically specific and analyze contemporary forms of racism in the US. Readings and discussion pay close attention to how rhetoric and discourse have the power to reproduce and challenge white supremacy and race-based oppressions. Emphasizing the intersectionality of oppression—that racism necessarily takes place at intersections with other forms of subordination including sexism, homophobia, ablelism, etc.—Rhetorics of Race draws from Queer Black Feminism, Chican@ Feminism, and Critical Race Theory.

WR 495, ^INTRODUCTION TO LITERACY STUDIES, 4 Credits

Literacy studies in multidisciplinary contexts. Examines historical, theoretical, and practical relationships among reading, writing, language, culture, and schooling. (Writing Intensive Course)

Attributes: CWIC – Bacc Core, Skills, Writing Intensive Course

WR 497, DIGITAL LITERACY AND CULTURE, 4 Credits

From pencils to pixels, telegraphs to texts, and semaphores to social networking, Digital Literacy and Culture focuses on the relationships between human expression and the technologies that provide context, meaning, and shape to those expressions.

Prerequisite: WR 121 with C- or better or WR 121H with C- or better

WR 499, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 500, MFA RESIDENCY, 1-20 Credits

Low-Residency Masters of Fine Arts Residency. Required course for graduate students in the Low-Residency Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

This course is repeatable for 48 credits.

WR 501, RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 502, INDEPENDENT STUDY, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 503, THESIS, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 999 credits.

WR 504, WRITING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 505, READING AND CONFERENCE, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 506, PROJECTS, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 507, SEMINAR, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 508, WORKSHOP, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 509, PRACTICUM, 1-16 Credits

Required practicum for graduate students teaching introduction to poetry writing.

This course is repeatable for 16 credits.

WR 511, THE TEACHING OF WRITING, 4 Credits

Pedagogy and theory in composition; prepares teachers (secondary through college) in writing process, assignment design, evaluation, and grammar. Also focuses on student's own writing.

WR 512, CURRENT COMPOSITION THEORY, 4 Credits

Current rhetoric and composition theory and its applications for teachers and writers.

WR 513, LOW-RESIDENCY MFA MENTORSHIP, 5-12 Credits

Low-Residency Masters of Fine Arts Mentorship. Required course for graduate students in the Low-Residency Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

This course is repeatable for 36 credits.

WR 517, TEACHING PRACTICUM: ENGLISH COMPOSITION, 2 Credits

Required practicum for graduate students teaching English Composition.

WR 519, TEACHING PRACTICUM: WR 222, 1 Credit

This practicum prepares graduate teaching assistants to teach Writing 222 (Argumentation). It includes both theoretical and practical components, providing an overview of the curriculum and addressing course development, lesson planning, and pedagogical best practices. The practicum is required for SWLF graduate students with a focus in rhetoric and composition.

WR 520, STUDIES IN WRITING, 4 Credits

Selected topics in rhetoric and composition.

This course is repeatable for 8 credits.

Available via Ecampus

WR 521, TEACHING PRACTICUM: FICTION WRITING, 1 Credit

Required practicum for graduate students teaching introduction to fiction writing.

This course is repeatable for 3 credits.

WR 522, TEACHING PRACTICUM: POETRY WRITING, 1 Credit

Required practicum for graduate students teaching introduction to poetry writing.

This course is repeatable for 3 credits.

WR 523, TEACHING PRACTICUM: NONFICTION WRITING, 1 Credit

Required practicum for graduate students teaching introduction to nonfiction writing.

This course is repeatable for 3 credits.

WR 524, ADVANCED FICTION WRITING, 4 Credits

Advanced fiction workshop with an emphasis on developing longer pieces.

This course is repeatable for 24 credits.

WR 537, WRITING FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, 3 Credits

Build graduate-level writing and rhetorical skills and identify and utilize the conventions of researched-based writing in their field with the end goal of being more confident and effective writers of academic argument. Analyze writing in their own fields, develop papers through all stages of the writing process, and work to expand graduate-level academic vocabulary and scientific and technical writing conventions.

This course is repeatable for 15 credits.

WR 540, ADVANCED NONFICTION WRITING, 4 Credits

Advanced creative nonfiction workshop with an emphasis on developing longer pieces.

This course is repeatable for 24 credits.

WR 541, ADVANCED POETRY WRITING, 4 Credits

Advanced poetry workshop.

This course is repeatable for 24 credits.

WR 548, MAGAZINE ARTICLE WRITING, 4 Credits

Writing the magazine article. Analyzing markets and writing query and cover letters, marketing manuscripts to magazines. Interviewing and researching.

This course is repeatable for 8 credits.

WR 562, ENVIRONMENTAL WRITING, 4 Credits

Writing about environmental topics from multiple perspectives. Includes science journalism, research and writing on current scientific issues and controversies, and theories of rhetoric and environmentalism.

This course is repeatable for 8 credits.

Recommended: WR 121

WR 566, ADVANCED TECHNICAL WRITING, 4 Credits

Introduces the texts, contexts, and concepts important to the practice of professional communication in organizational contexts, addressing practical writing skills, rhetoric, and ethics. Course readings concern what professional technical writers do and what theories govern their actions, bridging the gap between real-world problems and academic research. Emphasizes solving real-world writing and communication problems with empirical research, usability testing, and information design.

WR 573, THESIS & DISSERTATION WRITING, 3 Credits

Supports students who are in the writing stages of their thesis or dissertation. Teaches rhetorical analysis of model texts, techniques for drafting and revising texts, strategies for overcoming writing blocks, and methods of self-care for managing stress.

This course is repeatable for 30 credits.

WR 575, RHETORICS OF RACE, 4 Credits

By exploring the interrelated concepts of race, racialization, and racism, Rhetorics of Race problematizes race as a taken-for-granted phenomenon. Through reading, writing, and discussion, class participants study racial formations as historically specific and analyze contemporary forms of racism in the US. Readings and discussion pay close attention to how rhetoric and discourse have the power to reproduce and challenge white supremacy and race-based oppressions. Emphasizing the intersectionality of oppression—that racism necessarily takes place at intersections with other forms of subordination including sexism, homophobia, ablelism, etc.—Rhetorics of Race draws from Queer Black Feminism, Chican@ Feminism, and Critical Race Theory.

WR 585, CONTEMPORARY RHETORIC THEORY, 4 Credits

Familiarizes students with a range of theories that have significantly contributed to or influenced the field of modern and contemporary rhetorical research. The course examines scholars, concepts, and methodologies that are central to contemporary rhetorical theory, while touching on key critical theorists who, although may be considered outside the field of rhetoric studies, impact the ways in which language, persuasion, and communication are currently understood. From this work, students develop their own perspectives and generate evidence-based arguments concerning those same issues.

Recommended: WR 121

WR 593, THE RHETORICAL TRADITION AND THE TEACHING OF WRITING, 4 Credits

Major past and contemporary theories of written communication, their historical context, and their impact on writing and the teaching of writing.

WR 595, INTRODUCTION TO LITERACY STUDIES, 4 Credits

Literacy studies in multidisciplinary contexts. Examines historical, theoretical, and practical relationships among reading, writing, language, culture, and schooling.

WR 597, DIGITAL LITERACY AND CULTURE, 4 Credits

From pencils to pixels, telegraphs to texts, and semaphores to social networking, Digital Literacy and Culture focuses on the relationships between human expression and the technologies that provide context, meaning, and shape to those expressions.

Recommended: WR 121

WR 599, SPECIAL TOPICS, 1-16 Credits

This course is repeatable for 30 credits.