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)

ENG 300Introduction to English Studies3
ENG 311Critical Theory3
Language studies and linguistics3
History of the English Language
Introduction to Linguistics: Sounds and Words
Introduction to Linguistics: Phrases and Sentences
Varieties of English
Literary studies3
Foundations for Literary and Cultural Studies
Intermediate Topics in Literature
Writing and rhetoric studies3
Writing, Genre, and Style
Introduction to Writing and Rhetoric Studies
Creative or professional writing3
Creative Writing
Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing
Total Credits18

Writing/rhetoric studies emphasis (18 credits; not eligible for teacher certification)

Introduction
Select whichever course was not used in the core:3
Writing, Genre, and Style
Introduction to Writing and Rhetoric Studies
Special topic3
Special Topics in Writing and Rhetoric Studies (Repeatable for credit; maximum 6)
Writing studies6
Select six credits of the following:
Writing Tutor Practicum
Special Topics in Writing and Rhetoric Studies (Repeatable for credit; maximum 6)
Creative Writing
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
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 research3
Writing Research
Capstone3
Capstone Research Project
Exit portfolio
Will be introduced to students in ENG 300 and assembled throughout their studies
Total Credits18

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
  3. Language courses (ARA, CHI, FRE, GCL, GER, HMG, JPN, RUS, SPA) used to fulfill the 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.
  4. At least one course in the degree must be a CASSH designated diversity course.
  5. All other courses used to meet the requirements below must be in addition to the minimum 42 credits required in the General Education Program.
  6. 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).

Bachelor of Arts students declare one of the following tracks online via the CASSH website:

A. Language track
  1. Native speakers of English complete:
    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
    Introduction to Spanish for the Health Professions
    Non-native speakers of English: provide English proficiency evidence acceptable for admission to UWL as a degree seeking student.
  2. Two additional courses outside of the student's major in two of the following: humanities, social sciences or fine arts.
B. Humanities track
  1. One global language course 102 or higher; and
  2. 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
  3. One additional course in social sciences or fine arts.
C. Fine arts track
  1. One global language course 102 or higher; and
  2. Two additional courses outside the department of the student's major from two different departments chosen from: art, music, theatre; and
  3. 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:
  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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:

    1. 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

    2. 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:

  1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
  2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
  3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  5. 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.
  6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  8. 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 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
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written)3CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral)3
FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar)3102+ Level Gen Ed/CASSH Core Language14
Gen Ed Arts2Gen Ed Global Studies3
Gen Ed Self & Society3Gen Ed Arts2
Gen Ed Math4Gen Ed World History3
 15 15
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENG 300 (ENG Core)3ENG 311 (ENG Core)3
Gen Ed Minority Cultures3ENG 313 or 3333
CASSH Core Course3Creative/Professional Writing (ENG Core)3
Gen Ed Humanistic Studies3Gen Ed Health & Well-Being3
Gen Ed Natural Lab Science4Minor Course3
 16 15
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENG 333 or 313 (whichever was not used in the ENG core)3Language Studies and Linguistics (ENG Core)3
Writing Studies Elective (300/400 level)3ENG 3033
Minor Course3Writing Studies Elective3
CASSH Core Course3Minor Course3
CASSH Core Course3CASSH Core Diversity Course3
 15 15
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Literary Studies (ENG Core)3ENG 4133
ENG 3753Minor Course3
Minor Course3Minor Course3
University Elective3University Elective2
University Elective3University Elective3
 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