English Major: Writing and Rhetoric Studies Emphasis - Bachelor of Arts (BA)
This major provides students with the knowledge, skills, and flexibility necessary to succeed in rapidly-changing, global environments. Students are empowered to examine and shape the world through writing. They develop high-demand written communication skills, gain experience working in teams, learn digital writing technologies, and address diverse audience needs. Students complete a senior capstone project, create a writing portfolio, and are encouraged to pursue internships and undergraduate research. The English major: writing and rhetoric studies emphasis is also a great option as a second major because many careers require expertise in written communication, persuasion, and analysis.
(All colleges - including teacher certification programs)
Courses listed in more than one category may be counted only once unless otherwise stated.
English core requirements (18 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 300 | Introduction to English Studies | 3 |
| ENG 311 | Critical Theory | 3 |
| Language studies and linguistics | 3 | |
| History of the English Language | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics: Sounds and Words | ||
| Introduction to Linguistics: Phrases and Sentences | ||
| Varieties of English | ||
| Literary studies | 3 | |
| Foundations for Literary and Cultural Studies | ||
| Intermediate Topics in Literature | ||
| Writing and rhetoric studies | 3 | |
| Writing, Genre, and Style | ||
| Introduction to Writing and Rhetoric Studies | ||
| Creative or professional writing | 3 | |
| Creative Writing | ||
| Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Writing/rhetoric studies emphasis (18 credits; not eligible for teacher certification)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | ||
| Select whichever course was not used in the core: | 3 | |
| Writing, Genre, and Style | ||
or ENG 333 | Introduction to Writing and Rhetoric Studies | |
| Writing studies | ||
| Select six credits of the following: | 6 | |
| Writing Tutor Practicum | ||
| Special Topics in Writing and Rhetoric Studies | ||
| Writing in the Arts and Humanities | ||
| Creative Writing | ||
| Writing in Education | ||
| Writing for Management, Public Relations and the Professions | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Writing in the Sciences | ||
| Digital Content Writing, Strategy, and Experience Design | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| Rhetoric, Health, and Medicine | ||
| Writing for Stage and Screen | ||
| Journalism and New Media | ||
| Literary Journal Production | ||
| Multimedia News Writing and Editing | ||
| Feature and Specialized Writing | ||
| Publishing in a Digital Age | ||
| Language Study for Teachers | ||
| Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing | ||
| The Rhetorics of Style | ||
| Topics in Linguistics | ||
| The Essay | ||
| Creative Nonfiction | ||
| Individual Projects | ||
| Seminar in Advanced Fiction Writing | ||
| The Writer's Studio | ||
| Introduction to Teaching Writing | ||
| Chinese Discourse | ||
| Forms of Fiction | ||
| Form and Genre in Creative Writing | ||
| English Internship | ||
| Writing research | ||
| ENG 375 | Writing Research | 3 |
| Capstone | ||
| ENG 413 | Capstone Research Project | 3 |
| ENG 497 | Seminar in Writing and Rhetoric Studies | 3 |
| Exit portfolio | ||
| Will be introduced to students in ENG 300 and assembled throughout their studies | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR.
College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH/VPA) Bachelor of Arts core requirements
The following conditions apply to one or both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees:
- Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases) or in the department of global cultures and languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree; English major: medical professions emphasis majors may earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
- Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
- Language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) used to fulfill general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2) may also be used to meet the B.A. and B.S. language requirements.
- All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 42 credits required in the General Education Program.
- At least one course in the B.A. or B.S. college degree program (core requirements) must be a CASSH designated diversity course.
- Applicable courses may be found on the CASSH B.A./B.S. Degree Option Course List or in the Advisement Report (AR) when the degree has been declared.
Courses used to fulfill general education requirements will not apply to core requirements except for language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) that count in the general education requirement: "Mathematical/logical systems and modern languages" (GE 02, category 2).
Declare ONE of the following tracks in the CASSH Academic Services Office in 138 Wimberly:
A. Language track
- Native speakers of English complete:
Non-native speakers of English: provide English proficiency evidence acceptable for admission to UWL as a degree seeking student; or complete ESL 252 or ESL 253, and one additional course from ESL 250, ESL 251, ESL 252, ESL 253 (maximum of four credits from these courses applicable to general education). UWL does not regularly offer these courses, thus transferring in their equivalency(ies) is the likely way to earn credit English as a Second Language coursework. Native English speakers are not eligible to earn credit in ESL courses. Contact the CASSH Dean's Office for eligibility and regulations.Course List Code Title Credits Select one of the following: Intermediate Arabic II Chinese Language and Culture in Action II French Language and Cultures in Action II Intermediate Languages II German Language and Cultures in Action II Hmong Heritage Language: Intermediate Hmong Heritage Language: Advanced Intermediate Japanese II Russian Language and Cultures in Action II Spanish Language and Cultures in Action II or SPA 221Introduction to Spanish for the Health Professions - Two additional courses outside of the student's major in two of the following: humanities, social sciences or fine arts.
B. Humanities track
- One global language course 102 or higher; and
- Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: communication studies, English, history, philosophy and race, gender, and sexuality studies (see the Advisement Report (AR) for a listing of the approved courses); and
- One additional course in social sciences or fine arts.
C. Fine arts track
- One global language course 102 or higher; and
- Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: art, music, theatre; and
- One additional course in social sciences or humanities.
In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete a second major, minor, or program option by satisfying one of the following:
- Complete a minor (or second major) outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
- Complete an emphasis, program or concentration of at least 18 credits outside the student's major program. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements; or
- Complete 18 credits in two or more departments or programs (at least 12 credits earned at the 300/400 level). These courses must be outside the student's major department and can be from any college. General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements.
Baccalaureate degree requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:
- Fulfill the general education requirements.
- Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
- Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
- At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
- Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
- A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
- Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
- 1
Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.
- 2
The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.
No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.
Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.
The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.
General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.
At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level.
Note: New students and transfer students with 15 or fewer credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.
This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written) | 3 | CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral) | 3 |
| FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar) | 3 | 102+ Level Gen Ed/CASSH Core Language1 | 4 |
| Gen Ed Arts | 2 | Gen Ed Global Studies | 3 |
| Gen Ed Self & Society | 3 | Gen Ed Arts | 2 |
| Gen Ed Math | 4 | Gen Ed World History | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENG 300 (ENG Core) | 3 | ENG 311 (ENG Core) | 3 |
| Gen Ed Minority Cultures | 3 | ENG 313 or 333 | 3 |
| CASSH Core Course | 3 | Creative/Professional Writing (ENG Core) | 3 |
| Gen Ed Humanistic Studies | 3 | Gen Ed Health & Well-Being | 3 |
| Gen Ed Natural Lab Science | 4 | Minor Course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENG 333 or 313 (whichever was not used in the ENG core) | 3 | Language Studies and Linguistics (ENG Core) | 3 |
| Writing Studies Elective (300/400 level) | 3 | ENG 375 | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Writing Studies Elective | 3 |
| CASSH Core Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| CASSH Core Course | 3 | CASSH Core Diversity Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Literary Studies (ENG Core) | 3 | ENG 413 | 3 |
| ENG 497 | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 | University Elective | 2 |
| University Elective | 3 | University Elective | 3 |
| Exit Portfolio2 | |||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
- 1
CASSH Core Humanities and Fine Arts Tracks require 102+ level language. CASSH Core Language Track requires 202 level language. Students unprepared for 202 level will need to complete prerequisite course work.
- 2
Will be introduced to students in ENG 300 and assembled throughout their studies.