Courses
From introductory courses to advanced ones, students explore how writing works and how to apply it effectively.
Explore Our Offered CoursesDepartment of Writing Studies, Rhetoric and Composition
Preparing students to write confidently and effectively in professional and public situations
The Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition offers students a wide-range of opportunities for exploring how writing works in professional and public settings. Courses in our programs create the atmosphere in which students can acquire rhetorical knowledge and strategies to write purposefully, incisively and ethically. Students and faculty in the program read closely and critically, explore rhetorical situations and cultural contexts, engage in inquiry, and study the elements of well reasoned, persuasive discourse.
Students hone skills in writing purposefully, imaginatively, and persuasively in, across, and beyond their college courses, providing excellent preparation for students whether they are pursuing graduate school, law school, or want a significant edge in the professional world or within their communities.
Faculty and Staff
The Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition houses an engaged faculty committed to student and lifelong learning.
Degree Offerings
In our program, students can choose to focus on professional writing, where they analyze and produce genres required by employers; public writing, where they study and engage in meaningful social action through written texts; or a combination of courses tailored to the student’s own interests:
The Writing Program
Our writing program provides the knowledge and skill for our students to write purposefully, incisively, and ethically. Students gain knowledge in content, process, rhetorical concepts, genres, academic discourse, and meta-cognition they can effectively apply to their writing.
The Core Concentration in Professional and Public Writing
Our Core Concentration in Professional and Public Writing enables students to develop and hone their skills to write purposefully, imaginatively, and persuasively in, across, and beyond their college courses to prepare them for a range of writing focused careers.
Writing Placement Protocol
All students entering must complete the online Directed Self-Placement process.
Learn More About Writing PlacementEvents and Awards
The Department of Writing Studies, Rhetoric, and Composition sponsors two writing contests annually.
Explore Events and Awards