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 | |
| Special topic | 3 | |
| Special Topics in Writing and Rhetoric Studies (Repeatable for credit; maximum 6) | ||
| Writing studies | 6 | |
| Select six credits of the following: | ||
| Writing Tutor Practicum | ||
| Special Topics in Writing and Rhetoric Studies (Repeatable for credit; maximum 6) | ||
| Creative Writing | ||
| Workplace Writing | ||
| Technical Writing | ||
| Writing in the Sciences | ||
| Digital Content and User Experience Writing | ||
| Grant Writing | ||
| Rhetoric, Health, and Medicine | ||
| Writing for Stage and Screen | ||
| Journalism and New Media | ||
| Literary Journal Production | ||
| Multimedia News Writing and Editing | ||
| Publishing in a Digital Age | ||
| Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing | ||
| The Rhetorics of Style | ||
| Creative Nonfiction | ||
| Scriptwriting | ||
| Individual Projects | ||
| Seminar in Advanced Fiction Writing | ||
| The Writer's Studio | ||
| Chinese Discourse | ||
| Forms of Fiction | ||
| Experiments in Form and Genre | ||
| English Internship | ||
| Writing research | 3 | |
| Writing Research | ||
| Capstone | 3 | |
| Capstone Research Project | ||
| 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 CASSH core provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge by taking courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and/or sciences beyond the requirements of general education. Students may select from courses offered by the full range of academic departments within the college according to their interests. The college core allows students to build their critical thinking, communication, problem solving, teamwork, and global competencies through in-depth exploration of topics of their choosing.
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 at the 102-level or higher (CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HCK, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA, or SPE 214) used to fulfill a general education requirement may also be used to meet the B.A. and B.S. language requirements.
- At least one course in the degree must be a CASSH designated diversity course.
- All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 41 credits required in the General Education Program.
- 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 as noted above.
Bachelor of Arts students declare one of the following tracks online via the CASSH website:
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.Course List Code Title Credits Select one of the following: Chinese Language and Culture in Action II French Language and Cultures in Action II Intermediate Languages II German Language and Cultures in Action II Hoocak Language and Culture IV 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 the department of the student's major from two different categories selected from the following: humanities, social sciences, or fine arts.
B. Humanities track
- One global language course at the 102-level or higher (including SPE 214); and
- Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments selected from the following: communication studies, English, history, philosophy, or 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 at the 102-level or higher (including SPE 214); and
- Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments selected from the following: art, music, or theatre and dance; 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 individualized option by satisfying one of the following:
- Complete a minor (or two certificates with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400-level or a 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 an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits. At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400-level outside the major department. The remaining six credits may consist of:
-
100-level or higher courses outside the major (general education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements); or
-
300/400-level courses inside the major department not being used to fulfill major 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 "Submit Intent to Graduate" 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 less than 12 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 (Gen Ed 1002 Written Literacy) | 3 | CST 110 (Gen Ed 1003 Spoken Literacy) | 3 |
| FYS 100 ( Gen Ed 1001 First-Year Seminar) | 3 | Gen Ed 1013 Cultures of Our World/CASSH Core Language1 | 4 |
| Gen Ed 1007 Arts and Aesthetics | 2 | Gen Ed 1005 Ethnic Diversity | 3 |
| Gen Ed 1009 Social and Behavioral Studies | 3 | Gen Ed 1007 Arts and Aesthetics | 2 |
| Gen Ed 1004 Quantitative Reasoning | 3-4 | Gen Ed 1010 Stories We Tell | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ENG 300 (ENG Core) | 3 | ENG 311 (ENG Core) | 3 |
| Gen Ed 1006 Mind and Body | 3 | ENG 313 or 333 | 3 |
| Gen Ed 1012 Planet That Sustains Us | 3 | Creative/Professional Writing (ENG Core) | 3 |
| Gen Ed 1008 Experiential Science | 4 | Gen Ed 1011 Pasts That Define Us | 3 |
| CASSH Core Course | 3 | 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 303 | 3 |
| CASSH Core Course | 3 | Writing Studies Elective | 3 |
| CASSH Core Course | 3 | CASSH Core Diversity Course | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Literary Studies (ENG Core) | 3 | ENG 413 | 3 |
| ENG 375 | 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.