Curriculum

WRIT 5010 - Research Methods (3 credits)

This course offers writers opportunities to practice various qualitative, quantitative, textual, and historical research methods.

Learning outcomes:

1. Identify areas of inquiry relevant to the writing professions.
2. Generate researchable questions within a chosen area of inquiry.
3. Explain the ethical implications of working with human subjects.
4. Conduct research using appropriate research methods.
5. Deliver research findings in multiple modes.

WRIT 5100 - Teaching Writing (3 credits)

An introduction to teaching composition on the secondary and college undergraduate levels; methods of teaching composition based on modern theories of rhetoric, reading, language acquisition, and pedagogical strategies.

Learning outcomes:

1. Identify pedagogical strategies for writing instruction
2. Analyze and evaluate theories of rhetoric, reading and language
3. Apply pedagogical strategies and theories to solve writing classroom problems

WRIT 5120 - Theories of Composition (3 credits)

This course provides the necessary foundation for students to be able to examine critical and rhetorical theories related to writing. Students will engage academic discourse to synthesize and analyze existing theoretical frameworks and apply them in their own writing. This course prepares students to write for academic contexts and to propose writing-related research.

Learning outcomes:

1. Evaluate current theories related to composition, writing, and language
2. Describe how theories of composition are employed in academic writing and composition pedagogy
3. Implement theoretical inquiries into their own academic writing

WRIT 5340 - Studies in Multimodality and Digital Media (3 credits)

This course explores the rhetorical relationships between multiple modes and media. It focuses on the acquisition of skills for editing and layout of multimodal publications, such as marketing materials, newsletters, online magazines, and websites. Students get hands-on experience applying these skills while working on student-led publications.

Learning outcomes:

1. Analyze design principles appropriate for multimodal and multimedia texts
2. Identify conventions that affect publishing processes
3. Apply design principles by composing for various genres, including student-led publications

Select up to 12 credits

WRIT 5140 - Writing Center Praxis (3 credits)

This course provides students with advanced theoretical and experiential grounding in peer conferencing. Students study writing center theory and practice, and they apply such strategies in conferences with writers. The course prepares students for administrative duties of writing center practitioners.

Learning outcomes:

1. Identify central figures and trends in writing center history, theory, and practice
2. Determine the literacy needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students
3. Practice administrative duties of professional writing center work
4. Characterize various peer conferencing strategies used in sessions with writers

WRIT 5160 - Teaching Writing Online (3 credits)

This course focuses on the development of online writing instruction. Students learn to use a variety of online teaching technologies in order to produce effective writing curricula based on appropriate theories of composition.

Learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the terminology and theories of online writing instruction
2. Develop efficiency in a variety of online teaching technologies
3. Critique pedagogies and technologies used in online writing environments

WRIT 5250 - Social Media Writing and Strategy (3 credits)

This course offers students practical instruction in writing strategies for social media and other electronic media.

Learning outcomes:

1. Identify various forms of social media and target audiences
2. Research and write different types of social media content
3. Demonstrate mastery of organization, style and attribution
4. Produce various forms of social media content and submit for posting

WRIT 5320 - Advanced Writing with Technologies (3 credits)

This course focuses on developing advanced writing techniques for mobile and web-based technologies. Students in this course will examine in-depth the theories and approaches to writing within such digital environments and networks while at the same time investigate technologies as rhetorical objects. This course will prepare students to answer a variety of design problems related to technological contexts.

Learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of technological theories as they relate to writing
2. Examine the rhetorical practices of writing for technology
3. Design effective texts using writing technologies that appropriately combine modes and media
4. Define technological trends that affect composing processes

WRIT 5400 - Technical Writing (3 credits)

This course focuses on learning the techniques and technologies used to compose genres such as proposals, reports, instructions, and infographics for various audiences. Students will explore theories and practices related to interface, graphic, web, and information design, as well as procedural rhetoric, project management, and usability testing. This course will emphasize the technical communicator’s role as a problem solver and critical maker working across physical and online spaces.

Learning outcomes:

1. Identify how technical communities create and distribute knowledge
2. Evaluate print and digital documents for readability, usability, and accessibility
3. Compose effective technical documents that integrate text, image, and data
4. Conduct independent research

WRIT 5620 - Rhetorical Traditions in Writing Studies (3 credits)

This course focuses on the primary texts that have been the core of rhetoric in the history of writing studies as well as alternative rhetorics that challenge this canon. Students apply ancient rhetorical concepts to contemporary practice in writing studies. The course provides a theoretical foundation for advanced study of rhetorical principles.

Learning outcomes:

1. Define rhetorical traditions within writing studies
2. Determine the influence of a range of histories and theories of rhetoric
3. Apply ancient rhetorical concepts to contemporary practice

WRIT 5650 - Rhetorical Criticism (3 credits)

This course focuses on applying various critical lenses to a variety of texts. Students reflect on the symbolism and power of language to promote civic participation and social change. The course provides students with a foundation for the analysis and interpretations of cultural artifacts.

Learning outcomes:

1. Analyze texts using methods of rhetorical criticism
2. Interpret the symbolic significance of cultural artifacts
3. Assess the social, political, and cultural influences of rhetoric

WRIT 5750 - Transmedia Theory and Production (3 credits)

This course offers an advanced study of transmedia theory and production, including design, delivery, and dissemination of compositional structures, and composer and consumer participatory behaviors across multiple media sites.

Learning outcomes:

1. Identify how rhetorical strategies are transformed by and through media platforms
2. Revise essays and transmedia products as an integral part of the composing process
3. Compose a multimedia project that demonstrates an understanding of transmedia theories and constructs
4. Conduct independent research
5. Evaluate transmediated texts based on evidence and logical reasoning

WRIT 5800 - Editing, Layout, and Design (3 credits)

This course focuses on the acquisition of skills for editing and layout of print and electronic publications, such as marketing materials, newsletters, magazines, and websites. These skills include copyediting, desktop publishing, project management, graphic design, typography, and layout using relevant software.

Learning outcomes:

1. Identify principles of copyediting, layout and design
2. apply principles of copyediting, layout and design to print and electronic documents
3. integrate text and image using relevant software to produce effective print and electronic documents

WRIT 5850 - Teaching and Tutoring Second Language Writing (3 credits)

This course focuses on the theory and practice of teaching and tutoring culturally and linguistically diverse composition students. Students will explore theories of second language acquisition, including the roles of culture and identity, as well as L2 pedagogy, including course design, response, treatment of error, and assessment. 

Learning outcomes:

1. Analyze theories of teaching second language writing
2. Analyze theories of tutoring second language writing
3. Identify pedagogical strategies for teaching L2 composition
4. Apply principles of second language teaching

WRIT 5900 - Special Topics (3 credits)

This course will focus on advanced study of topics in composition, rhetoric, and digital media. Students will study topics such as discourse analysis, stylistics, writing program administration, TESOL, writing assessment, writing in the community, literacy studies. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

Summer 2018:
Social Media Writing and Strategy offers students practical instruction in writing strategies for social media and other electronic media.

Learning outcomes:

To complete this course successfully students must:

1. Identify various forms of social media and target audiences.
2. Research and write different types of social media content.
3. Demonstrate mastery of organization, style and attribution.
4. Produce various forms of social media content and submit for posting.
5. Apply Associated Press (AP) Style and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to writing.

Summer 2017:
The Rhetoric of Transmedia explores foundational works in transmedia studies and allows students to build on concepts introduced in CRDM courses such as Studies in Multimodality and Digital Media, Theories of Composition, Teaching Writing and Teaching Writing Online, and Research Methods. Readings will address the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of transmediation in relation to entertainment, news, teaching, and research.

Learning outcomes:

1. Define key terms and theories appropriate to topic
2. Compare theories, pedagogies, and/or composing practices appropriate to topic
3. Produce graduate-level research project appropriate to topic

WRIT 6000 - Master’s Thesis (3 credits)

Research and writing for M.A. in Composition, Rhetoric, and Digital Media thesis. Repeatable up to 12 credits. Prerequisite: permission of Department Chair.

Learning outcomes:

1. Conduct independent research on an approved and relevant topic
2. Demonstrate progress toward completion of master's thesis