Composition and Rhetoric Courses

PRWR 6100: Readings for Writers (Repeatable)

3-0-3. Prerequisite: Admission to the MAPW program, or permission of the Graduate Program Director.

The study of writers describing their ways of writing and/or how others' writing has influenced writers. This course studies the works listed as influential and then examines the application of such influence in later texts. Readings will vary, but will include literature, drama, poetry, essays, journalism, and scientific and professional texts.

PRWR 6150: Context, Style, and Audience in Professional Writing

3-0-3. Prerequisite: Admission to the MAPW program, or permission of the Graduate Program Director.

A study of the ways context, stylistic choices, and audience influence all areas of writing in action, whether in the workplace, on the Internet, in publishing, or in the classroom. Course will focus on the creation of specific texts, many by the students themselves, with attention to the rhetorical traditions behind all spoken and written acts.

PRWR 6300: Understanding Writing as Process

3-0-3. Prerequisite: Admission to the MAPW program, or permission of the Graduate Program Director.

The study of the concept of writing as a process and its implications for professional writers in various creative, workplace, and instructional situations. This course will focus on such questions as What happens when we write? Can the processes by which individuals shape written texts be observed, documented, and theorized? How does social context affect writing processes? How does understanding writing as process affect the teaching of writing? NOTE: All TAs must enroll in 6300 in the fall of their first year in the program.

PRWR 6500: Teaching Writing in High Schools and Colleges

3-0-3. Prerequisite: Admission to the MAPW program, or permission of the Graduate Program Director.

An investigation into the theories and practices that have shaped writing instruction over the past thirty years. Students will examine student-centered instruction, writing process theories, current methods of assessment, technologies of writing, and other important advances in order to produce curricular design for high school and college writing classes. NOTE: All TAs must enroll in 6500 in the spring of their first year in the program.

PRWR 6650: Introduction to Literacy Studies

3-0-3. Prerequisite: Admission to the MAPW program, or permission of the Graduate Program Director.

An overview of approaches for studying and shaping literacy in a range of social contexts, including workplaces, instructional settings, and the literary marketplace. This course will explore competing definitions of literacy and their implications for professional writers with students learning to use research about literacy to enhance their work as professional writers.

PRWR 6750: Teaching Writing to Speakers of Other Languages

3-0-3. Prerequisite: Admission to the MAPW Program or International Audiences Certificate program, or permission of the Graduate Program Director.

The study of the theories and practices in the teaching writing to ESL writers. Emphasis will be placed on second language acquisition of writing skills and ESL composition techniques and principles for various ESL writing situations.

PRWR 6760: World Englishes

3-0-3. Prerequisite: Admission to the MAPW Program or International Audiences Certificate program, or permission of the Graduate Program Director.

A study of the unprecedented growth of English on a global scale. Course will examine the current state of English in the world and the cultural/social factors that have given rise to a number of different varieties of English in the world. These varieties, attitudes towards them, and implications for various written media of communication will be explored.

PRWR 7600: MAPW Practical Internship (Up to six hours may be used to satisfy MAPW degree requirements)

1-6. Prerequisite: Admission to the MAPW program and permission of Graduate Program Director and/or faculty supervisor.

Guided and supervised practical experience in one concentration of the MAPW Program.

PRWR 7900: Special Topics (Repeatable)

3-0-3. Prerequisite: Admission to the MAPW program, or permission of the Graduate Program Director.

Exploration of a specifically designed topic.

PRWR 7950: MAPW Directed Study (Repeatable once)

3-0-3. Prerequisite: Admission to the MAPW program, or permission of the Graduate Program Director, PRWR 6000, and a graduate course in the field of the directed study.

An intensive, advanced investigation of selected topics deriving from individual course of study. The content will be determined jointly by the instructor, the student, and the student's advisor. The proposed course of study must be submitted to the Graduate Director by a deadline published each term for MAPW Committee approval.