Rhetoric

The advanced rhetoric program permits a student to work in creative or professional writing. Except for the tutorial RHET 455, all creative writing courses are taught as workshops by a veteran faculty consisting largely of producing writers. The program provides excellent preparation for graduate work in writing and is administered by the Department of English. See also major in English.

Major in Sciences and Letters Curriculum

Minimum required core and supporting course work normally equates to 36 hours including 15 hours of Rhetoric and 15 hours of English and American Literature.

General education: The LAS General Education requirements are set up so students automatically complete the Campus General Education requirements.

Departmental distinction: A student must enter the honors program with a 3.25 grade point average and complete two English honors seminars and a significant writing project in RHET 455. The level of distinction is assigned by the honors committee based on work in rhetoric courses and honors seminars and on the readers' evaluations of the writing project. Interested students should consult the departmental adviser for details.

Creative Writing Option

Hours

Requirements

One course in expository writing, choose from:

RHET 243–Inter Expository Writing ¹

RHET 327–Advanced Expository Writing

Rhetoric courses selected from: ²

RHET 204–Introductory Narrative Writing

RHET 206–Introductory Poetry Writing

RHET 304–Intermediate Narrative Writing

RHET 327–Advanced Expository Writing

RHET 404–Advanced Narrative Writing

RHET 406–Advanced Poetry Writing

RHET 455–Creative Writing Tutorial

One course in Shakespeare:

ENGL 300–Writing About Literature (when offered on a Shakespeare topic)

ENGL 418–Shakespeare I

ENGL 419–Shakespeare II

English and American literature courses selected from 200-, 300- and 400-level courses.

Six hours of supporting coursework

Western Civilization Requirement. Choose one of the following pairs:

HIST 141–Western Civ to 1660 (or HIST 140), and

HIST 142–Western Civ Since 1660 (or HIST 143)

HIST 255–British Isles to 1688, and

HIST 256–Great Britain Since 1688

CWL 241–Masterpieces West Culture I, and

CWL 242–Masterpieces West Culture II

HIST 171- US Hist to 1877 and

HIST 172-US Hist Since 1877

1. Credit is not given for both RHET 233 and RHET 243. Students who have received credit for RHET 233 must take RHET 327. Other students should take REHT 243.

2. With the written permission of a rhetoric adviser, 3 of these 12 hours may be selected from the following courses: ENGL 401, 402, 403, 481; BTW 250, 253, 261, 263, 271; SPCM 310, 415, 416, 417, 423, 432; JOUR 475; and PHIL 102.

Professional Writing Option

Hours

Requirements

At least three courses selected in consultation with an adviser in professional writing, including one course which is approved for Advanced Composition

One course in communication technologies selected in consultation with an academic adviser

At least three courses in writing theory and practice selected in consultation with an academic adviser

Three additional courses in literature, critical theory, or creative writing

Six hours of supporting coursework.

Western Civilization Requirement. Choose one of the following pairs:

HIST 141–Western Civ to 1660 (or HIST 140), and

HIST 142–Western Civ Since 1660 (or HIST 143)

CWL 241–Masterpieces West Culture I, and

CWL 242–Masterpieces West Culture II

HIST 255–British Isles to 1688, and

HIST 256–Great Britain Since 1688

HIST 171- US Hist to 1877 and

HIST 172-US Hist Since 1877

For All Options

Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

Teacher Educaton Minor in Rhetoric

This minor is currently under revision. See the Director of Advising in English and Rhetoric.

Teacher education minors are available only to students seeking to add additional teaching fields to their teaching major. This minor does not lead to high school endorsement in an additional teaching field.

Students are advised that additional course work may be necessary to teach middle grades six through eight. Consult the certification officer at 505 East Green Suite 203 for additional information.

Hours

Requirements

6-7

Select one group of courses:

RHET 105–Principles of Composition, and a speech performance elective

RHET 108–Forms of Composition, and a speech performance elective

SPCM 111–Oral & Written Comm I, and

SPCM 112–Oral & Written Comm II

Select one of

RHET 233–Principles of Composition

RHET 243–Inter Expository Writing

RHET 204–Introductory Narrative Writing

ENGL 402–Descriptive English Grammar

ENGL 481–Comp Theory and Practice

6-7

Electives in rhetoric or related fields

24-26

Total