Fall 2005 Courses
Degree Requirements (PDF)
Course Descriptions (PDF)

The Professional Writing curriculum addresses a broad range of issues and practices. You'll learn how to analyze audience and purpose as well as how to create brochures, proposals, web sites, reports, computer manuals, educational materials, fund-raising publications, and more.

The program emphasizes using rhetorical principles to solve communication problems:

• Required courses in writing and editing (Engl 3104 and 3804) lay the groundwork for developing both print and online documents by introducing standard document types and outlining core skills such as reader analysis, information gathering, arrangement, visual design, style, and ethics.
• Electives offer in-depth work in particular areas - grants and proposas, document design, writing for the web, and user documentation.
• The capstone senior seminar allows you to step back and consider the impact of the profession.
• All courses emphasize practical applications, and many include Service-Learning or client-based work to give you real-world experience and build your portfolio.

The Professional Writing Program also offers courses for non-majors and minors. Technical Writing, Business Writing, and Science Writing address the demands of workplace writing for a variety of professional fields.

If you have problems getting a space in one of our writing intensive courses (English 3764 and English 3774), please follow the instructionis in the handout.

FALL 2005 Courses

Select the course number link to read a brief description of the course from the instructor, or read all the descriptions.

Required

IMPORTANT: You do not need to take 3104 before 3804; you may either course first, or both courses concurrently.

Engl 3104, CRN 92433 (9:30 TR) Introduction to Professional Writing - Mr. Ed Weathers

Engl 3104, CRN 92434 (11:00 TR) Introduction to Professional Writing - Mr. Ed Weathers

Engl 3104, CRN 92435 (2:00 TR) Introduction to Professional Writing - Mr. Ed Weathers

Engl 3804, CRN 92492 (9:30 TR) Technical Editing & Style - Dr. Carolyn Rude

Engl 3804, CRN 92493 (3:30 TR) Technical Editing & Style - Mr. Ed Weathers

Elective

Engl 3814, CRN 92494 (2:30 MW) Creating User Documentation, Dr. Carlos Evia

Engl 3824, CRN 95472 (4:00 MW) Designing Documents for Print, Dr. Carlos Evia

Engl 4814, CRN 92271 (3:30-4:45 T/R) Writing for the Web- Dr. James Collier

Engl 4874, CRN 92272 (11:00-12:15 T/R) Issues in Professional and Public Discourse - Dr. Jim Collier**(counts as senior seminar for PW students)

Degree Requirements

Major | Minor

The English curriculum for majors and minors is in transition; the requirements below are for the new curriculum beginning Fall 2003. However, the courses are all available now, and we encourage you to take the new courses; contact Dr. Jim Dubinsky for information on the necessary transcript substitutions if you came in under the old requirements. Several courses are currently offered as Special Topics (English 3984 and English 4984).

The Major

Base Courses:

• Core Requirements for the English Major
• Linguistics Background Course: English 4044 or English 4074

Professional Writing:

• English 3104: Introduction to Professional Writing (offered each semester)
• English 3804: Technical Editing and Style (offered every semester)
• 1 elective at the 3000-level
  • English 3814: Creating User Documentation (offered once per year; next offered Fall 2003)
  • English 3824: Designing Documents for Print (offered once per year; next offered Spring 2004)
  • Any English 3984: Special Topics course designated as part of the Professional Writing track (consult your advisor)
• 1 elective at the 4000-level
• English 4814: Writing for the Web (offered once per year; next offered Fall 2003)
• English 4804: Grant Proposals and Reports (offered once per year; next offered Spring 2004)
• English 4824: Science Writing (next offered Spring 2004)
• Any English 4984: Special Topics course designated as part of the Professional Writing track (offered Fall 2003 - International Issues in Professional Writing)
• English 4874: Issues in Professional and Public Discourse (offered every semester) **(counts as senior seminar for PW students)

Current majors can substitute the Professional Writing courses for the current cluster/concentration requirements. If you've already taken Engl 3754, 3764, and/or 3774 under the existing requirements, contact the Assistant Director for help selecting courses to complete program.

We encourage majors to take courses in outside areas that interest you (e.g. computer science, nutrition, finance, forestry) to better understand the field you hope to work in.

The Minor - 18 hours

• 1 Linguistics Background course (Engl 4044 or 4074)
• English 3104: Introduction to Professional Writing (offered each semester)
• English 3804: Technical Editing and Style (offered each semester)
• 1 elective at the 3000-level
  • English 3814: Creating User Documentation (offered once per year; next offered Fall 2003)
  • English 3824: Designing Documents for Print (offered once per year; next offered Spring 2004)
  • Any English 3984: Special Topics course designated as part of the Professional Writing track (consult your advisor)
• 1 elective at the 4000-level
  • English 4814: Writing for the Web (offered once per year; next offered Fall 2003)
  • English 4804: Grant Proposals and Reports (offered once per year; next offered Spring 2004)
  • English 4824: Science Writing (next offered Spring 2004)
  • Any English 4984: Special Topics course designated as part of the Professional Writing track (offered Fall 2003 - International Issues in Professional Writing)
  • English 4874: Issues in Professional and Public Discourse (offered each semester)--**(counts as senior seminar for PW students)
• 1 additional elective from among the 3000- or 4000-level electives listed above

Students who have already taken Engl 3754, 3764, and/or 3774 under the existing requirements should talk to your mentor for help selecting courses to complete the minor.