Department of Writing

Bachelor of Arts

Jack Wang, Assistant Professor and Chair

The Department of Writing offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to foster clarity and creativity in expression, as well as to develop expertise in various writing styles and genres. It provides instruction in first-year writing for all entering students, advanced study in expository, creative, and professional writing, and a 21-credit minor for students in diverse disciplines. The B.A. in writing offers serious writers guidance and experience in a range of genres; students may also elect to complete a concentration in creative writing, nonfiction, feature writing, or professional and technical writing. The major, which blends practice and theory, prepares students for graduate study, professional positions, and careers in writing.

Writing, B.A.
Writing Minor

Writing Center

The Department of Writing operates the Writing Center, located in Smiddy Hall. It offers individual and small group tutorials on a referred or self-selected basis to students needing assistance in any stage of the writing process. Other services include help with reading-comprehension and study skills and with refining English skills for nonnative speakers.

Writing Resource Rooms

The Department of Writing's networked computer classrooms are located in 109 Smiddy Hall, 103 Friends Hall, and 160 Job Hall. Smiddy 109 is open evenings and weekends to all students and is staffed by student consultants who will provide help with computer use and writing tasks. The facility includes reference books, laser printers, scanners, and a variety of software, including publishing and design applications.

Stillwater

The Department of Writing offers a special opportunity to students interested in writing and graphic arts to publish Stillwater, an annual magazine of poetry, prose, photography, and art. The students who staff the publication make all editorial selections and do layout, publicity, and production. Submissions are open to the entire College community.

Writing Contest

Each spring the Department of Writing conducts a writing contest open to all Ithaca College students. Entries are accepted in each of the following categories: first-year essay, expository essay, prose fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.

Requirements for the Major in Writing -- B.A.

Credits in the department

Select one course from the following:

Select one course from the following:

* Note that these courses have prerequisites beyond those specified for the major.

Required level-4 courses

Writing electives

General degree or elective concentration in writing

Majors may complete a general degree in writing or they may declare a formal concentration in creative writing, nonfiction, feature writing, or professional writing. Concentrations, if elected, must be declared by the end of the first semester of the senior year. Requirements for concentrations may overlap with writing electives.

Elective concentrations

Creative writing concentration

Required

Select one course from the following:

Select two courses from the following:

Nonfiction concentration

Required

Select four courses from the following:

Feature writing concentration

Required

Select three courses from the following:

Professional writing concentration

Required

Select three courses from the following:

Credits outside the department

Required outside field: All writing majors must complete an outside field. This may be (1) an 18- to 21-credit minor in any Ithaca College department; (2) a 15-credit minor in any Ithaca College department plus one related 3-credit course; or (3) an individually designed outside field (minimum of 18 credits, with at least 9 credits above level 1), which is planned in conjunction with the student's adviser and approved by the department chair. For students with a double major, the other major counts as the outside field.

Required language: All writing majors must complete study of a language other than English through the first semester of the intermediate level or demonstrate equivalent proficiency (0-9 credits). An acceptable substitute for this requirement is one semester of formal study abroad in a country where the language predominantly spoken is not English.

Summary

Minor in Writing

Requirements for the minor in writing

Electives

All writing courses in the minor should be taken in the Department of Writing or at the Ithaca College London Center. Exceptions: Students who receive course-specific transfer credit for first-year composition and transfer students with WRTG 18888 or WRTG 28888 credit from another institution may count up to 6 generic writing credits toward the writing minor.

Additional requirements for the minor

1. All writing courses must be taken for a grade to count toward the minor. One level-1 composition course (WRTG 10600 through WRTG 16500) must be completed with B- or better. Any student receiving below B- in these courses must take WRTG 11100 and receive at least a B- to qualify for the writing minor. Writing courses at level 2 or above must be completed with a C or better.
2. No more than two level-1 courses will count toward the writing minor.
3. No more than 3 credits may count toward the writing minor in each of the following courses: WRTG 42000, WRTG 45000, or WRTG 49800/49900. A maximum of 6 credits from among these courses may be applied toward the writing minor.
4. Up to 6 credits in the writing minor may overlap with a student's writing requirements in a major.