Prof. Writing & Rhetoric (PWR)

PWR 2314  Introduction to Professional Writing and Rhetoric  (3)  

Surveys core theories of writing and rhetoric in a variety of professional genres and familiarizes students with the range of possible careers. Required of all PWR majors.

PWR 3300  Technical Writing  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): ENG 1310; and either upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Emphasis on theories, principles, and practices of effective technical writing and writing in the sciences. Students will compose technical genres such as reports, proposals, memos, and documentation with an emphasis on usability, accessibility, data analysis, information design, ethics, writing style, and collaboration.

PWR 3303  Persuasive and Argumentative Writing  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

An advanced writing workshop that that focuses on the analysis and production of texts written for specific rhetorical situations and discourse communities. Emphasis on genre, persuasion, and rhetoric. Practice in various types of expository, narrative, persuasive, and academic writing.

PWR 3309  Creative Nonfiction  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Focuses on popular nonfiction addressed to a wider audience. Students will practice creative nonfiction research methods and compose genres such as travel writing, memoir, autobiography, biography, profiles, and history.

PWR 3313  Literacy Studies  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Examines histories, theories, and practices of literacy in relation to questions of ideology, education, schooling, identity, social class, technology, and/or composition.

PWR 3316  Women's Writing and Rhetoric  (3)  

Examines the ways women use language to persuade in both public and private spheres in both historical and contemporary periods, with special attention to both traditional rhetorical genres (speeches, letters, sermons, editorials) and nontraditional texts (quilts, recipe books, blogs).

PWR 3317  Rhetoric of Race  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Exploration of rhetoric, writing, literacy, and culture in relation to race and other related issues, such as class, identity, gender, politics, and culture.

PWR 3318  Professional & Workplace Writing  (3)  

Study and practice of professional writing in workplace contexts, with attention to audience adaptation, project management, collaboration, work with clients, professionalization, and style. Students will compose a range of workplace writings (i.e., letters, proposals, reports, web documents, design documents) and create application materials for career positions or graduate study. Culminates in a digital portfolio. Required of all PWR majors.

PWR 3321  Tutoring Writing  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): ENG 1310 or 1304, or other course from Research Writing DL and consent of instructor  

Theoretical issues and pedagogical methods for tutoring writing one-on-one. Examines how people best learn to write, how to talk with writers about their writing, and how one-on-one tutoring facilitates learning to write, including writing process theory, tutoring methods, revision and editing strategies, transfer, genre and disciplinary conventions, and working with special client populations.

PWR 3326  Studies in Public and Civic Writing  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Examines the role of writing and rhetoric in shaping, mobilizing, and changing the public’s thinking on contemporary controversial issues. Focus on both historical and contemporary debates.

PWR 3385  Special Topics in Writing Workshop  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Writing workshop centered on a particular topic. Student's practice writing genres that are related to the course theme. Topics may include food writing, travel writing, the teaching of writing, or other similar topics. Repeatable for a maximum of 6 credits with permission of department.

PWR 3V9R  Research  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of the instructor  

Undergraduate research undertaken with the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.

PWR 4309  Undergraduate Research and Publication  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Students will learn and apply key concepts, theories, and methods used to produce scholarship in the field of rhetoric and writing. Students will complete a major research project using writing studies research methodologies, such as empirical, archival, case-study, ethnographic, digital, qualitative, quantitative, and text and discourse analysis.

PWR 4311  Writing for Social Change  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor Emphasizes practical skills necessary for effective civic, public, or advocacy writing  

Students use writing and related media to explore, analyze and advocate on issues of public concern with opportunities for students to create texts and campaigns.

PWR 4321  New Media Writing and Rhetoric  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

A workshop course designed to develop skills in composing in multiple modes and media for different audiences, purposes, and situations. Students will analyze and compose a range of multimodal texts that integrate words, images, and sounds, such as digital stories, websites, video essays, audio compositions, scrapbooks, and posters.

PWR 4323  Editing and Publishing  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

An exploration of the editing and publishing profession, including acquisitions and list building and development of a marketable publishing project. Addresses the history and philosophy of publishing, an editor’s vocation, and current changes in the field.

PWR 4348  Religious Rhetoric and Spiritual Writing  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

A writing workshop that provides experience writing from and critically analyzing spiritual perspectives. Students compose in a range of genres (creeds, spiritual autobiographies, and analyses of religious texts) in order to explore spiritual questions, religious experiences, and rhetorical concerns.

PWR 4349  Advanced Creative Nonfiction  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): ENG 3309 or consent of instructor  

Advanced workshop in writing, researching, and publishing creative nonfiction in popular media outlets including magazines, newspapers, blogs, and nonfiction books.

PWR 4375  Special Topics Lecture in Writing and Rhetoric  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor  

Close study of a topic in writing, rhetoric, literacy, or a related field. Topic announced each semester. Repeatable for a maximum of 6 credits with permission of department.

PWR 4377  Writing Internship  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): ENG 3318 or concurrent enrollment, or consent of instructor  

An internship to provide students in the PWR program supervised writing experience in a business or professional setting. Required of all PWR majors.

PWR 4V9R  Research  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Consent of the instructor  

Undergraduate research undertaken with the supervision of a faculty member. May be taken for a maximum of 6 hours.