Writing Courses

377-10100 Introduction to College Writing   U LA

 Intensive instruction in techniques of reading and writing for freshmen whose verbal SAT, TSWE, or writing and reading placement scores indicate that they will experience difficulty in college-level writing and reading. Designed to prepare students for 377-10600, the introductory freshman-level course. Covers basic academic writing skills and interpretation of readings through a variety of academic writing tasks. Individual instruction assigned according to need. Does not satisfy departmental and school requirements for a level-1 writing course. After 377-10100, students must take 377-10600. Prerequisites: Admission to course by placement only. 3 credits. (F,Y)

377-10600 Academic Writing I   HU LA

This introductory, freshman-level course teaches students how to read perceptively and write coherently in college courses. Students learn to comprehend, critique, and respond to college readings by writing analytical essays ranging from single-source papers to evaluations of the claims and evidence in a number of readings. Typical assignments include single-source critiques and multiple-source syntheses. The course emphasizes thoughtful and responsible use of sources. May satisfy departmental and school requirements for a level-1 writing course. Prerequisites: Available only to freshmen, sophomores, and transfers in HSHP, the School of Music, and the Park School, except by petition. Students cannot get credit for this class and 377-10800 and 377-16300. 3 credits. (F-S,Y)

377-10800 Academic Writing I for Humanities and Science   HU, LA

 This introductory, freshman-level course teaches students how to read perceptively and write coherently in college courses. Students learn to comprehend, critique, and respond to college readings by writing analytical essays ranging from single-source papers to evaluations of the claims and evidence in a number of readings. Typical assignments include single-source critiques and multiple-source syntheses. The course emphasizes thoughtful and responsible use of sources. It includes a fourth hour designed to guide students through the composing process and help them edit their own writing more effectively for clarity, development, correctness, and style. May satisfy departmental and school requirements for a level-1 writing course. Prerequisites: Open only to freshmen, sophomores, and transfer students in the School of Humanities and Sciences; students from the professional schools may be admitted on a space-available basis by petition. Students cannot get credit for this course and 377-10600. 4 credits. (F-S, Y )

377-111000 Academic Writing II   HU LA 3a

Refines and advances writing and reasoning abilities taught in Academic Writing I. Focus is on complex synthesis of material from diverse sources to analyze and evaluate significant issues. Students study library research methods and complete an independent research project. May satisfy departmental and school requirements for a second level-1 writing course. Prerequisites: Any level-1 composition course from 337-10600 through 337-16500, or by placement.. Available only to freshmen, sophomores, and transfer students. 3 credits. (F-S,Y)

Affiliated Courses

An affiliated writing course is taken concurrently and cooperatively with a designated introductory course in another discipline so that the two courses have a common subject matter; text materials may or may not overlap. If both instructors agree, one or two papers may count for credit in both courses. The affiliated writing course provides assignments focused on basic writing concepts and skills -- thesis, coherence, paragraphing, syntax, diction -- as well as practice in writing for and about the affiliated discipline. Prerequisites: Verbal SAT score of 360 or above. The student must also be registered in the course with which the writing course is affiliated. 3 credits. (F,Y)

377-15000 Affiliate to Introduction to Film Aesthetics and Analysis   HU LA

Prerequisites: Open only to cinema and photography majors. Students cannot receive credit for this course and 377-10600 and 377-10800. 3 credits. (F,Y)

377-15100 Affiliate to Script Analysis for the Theater   HU LA 3a

Prerequisites: Open only to theater arts majors. Students cannot receive credit for this course and 377-10600 and 377-10800. 3 credits. (F,Y)

377-16300 Writing Seminar: Business   HU LA

 This course teaches basic academic writing skills and concepts, with content and approach meeting the specific needs of first-year business majors. Readings and assignments relate the discipline of business to the liberal arts, and draw parallels between academic and business writing. Prerequisite: Open only to business majors. Students may not receive credit for this course and 377-10600 or 377-10800 or 377-15200.

377-16500 Introduction to the Essay   HU LA 3a

Introduces the principal concepts of writing through a study of the genre of the essay. In addition to achieving the broad goals of Academic Writing I and II, it includes how to conduct research and use sources thoughtfully and responsibly, and asks students to examine the intentions, strategies, and styles of selected essayists from Montaigne to the present. May satisfy departmental and school requirements for a level-1 writing course. Prerequisites: Non-writing majors by placement only. 3 credits. (F-S,Y)

377-17500 Introduction to Creative Writing   FA LA 3a

Elements and techniques of writing fiction and poetry introduced through instruction, analysis of models, experimentation, and practice. Fiction-writing techniques include developing character and plot, using dialogue, creating scenes, learning narrative structure, and acquiring narrative voice. Poetry-writing techniques include traditional poetic forms, poetic imagery, and descriptive and figurative language. Prerequisites: Any level-1 composition course from 377-10600 through 377-16500. Not open to students who have previously received credit for 377-23600 or 377-23800. 3 credits. (F-S,Y)

377-20100 Persuasive Argument   HU LA 3a

Prepares students to write convincing arguments by learning logical strategies for presenting and defending ideas. Introduces a variety of forms persuasive argument can take, emphasizing the traditional essay. Particularly recommended for students who wish to strengthen their ability to present their point of view persuasively, intelligently, and ethically. Prerequisites: Any level-1 composition course from 377-10600 through 377-16500; sophomore standing or above. 3 credits. (F-S,Y)

377-20500 Personal Essay   HU LA 3a

Writing essays based on analysis of students' experiences, ideas, and feelings. Emphasis is placed on narrative, descriptive, and organizational techniques, as well as development of style. Readings intended to deepen students' understanding of their own lives and provide models for creative interpretations of their own experience. Prerequisites: Any level-1 composition course from 377-10600 through 377-16500. 3 credits. (F-S,Y)

377-21100 Writing for the Workplace   HU, LA

Basic on-the-job writing necessary to join, manage, and promote any organization, whether profit or non-profit. Focus is primarily on short forms: résumés, memos, business letters, summaries, brochures, newsletters, press releases, informal proposals, and reports. Course also explores how various social, economic, and ethical issues affect workplace writing. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; any level-1 composition course from 377-10600 through 377-16500. 3 credits. (F-S, Y)

377-21300 Technical Writing   HU, LA

Fundamentals for communicating technical information to general and specialized audiences. Class emphasizes the foundations of technical writing, their formats and applications, context-specific writing strategies, basic visual design, and ethics. Some reading in and discussion of the history of technology, and its influence on human society and culture. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; any level-1 composition course from 377-10600 through 377-16500. 3 credits. (F, Y)

377-22500 Grammar, Usage, and Style   HU LA

Intensive study of the patterns of English grammar and their influence on sentence structure, punctuation, and style. Daily exercises in contemporary usage and writing assignments prepare students for refining their own academic prose and for editing the work of others. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or above; any level-1 composition course from 377-10600 through 377-16500. 3 credits. (F-S,Y)

377-23600 Fiction Writing I: Short Story   FA LA 3a

Workshop in writing fiction emphasizing plot, characterization, dialogue, description, narration, mood, tone, and viewpoint. Analysis of both professional and student writing. A final portfolio of revised work is required. Prerequisites: 377-17500 or 377-20500; sophomore standing or above. 3 credits. (F-S,Y)

377-23800 Poetry Writing I   FA LA 3a

Workshop in writing poetry, in which students develop poetic strategies and practice a range of poetic forms and modes. Analysis of published models (both historical and contemporary) and student writing. A final portfolio of revised work is required. Prerequisites: 377-17500 or 377-20500; sophomore standing or above. 3 credits. (F-S,Y)

377-30100 Autobiography   FA LA 3a

Advanced course in writing autobiography. Encourages students to recognize developmental patterns in their own lives and understand the social and political context of their experience. Emphasis is placed on the thematic, structural, and stylistic problems of extended narrative. Autobiographical readings are used to model the genre and address relevant issues, such as the selectivity of memory, the public presentation of the private self, and the literary value of daily life. Prerequisites: 377-20500 or 377-23600; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-30500 Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy   FA LA

Advanced creative writing course in science fiction and fantasy that emphasizes the importance of character and thematic development. Assignments also focus on the selection of subject, setting, and narrative techniques. Readings in contemporary science fiction and fantasy serve as models for approaches to these two genres. Prerequisites: 377-20500 or 377-23600; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-31000 Women and Writing   FA LA 3a

Creative writing for students interested in exploring female experience through different literary forms. The first half of the course is nonfiction prose (journals, essays); in the second half, students choose to do fiction, poetry, or dramatic writing. Readings by contemporary female writers. Prerequisites: Any one of the following: 377-20500, 377-23600, 377-23800; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-31100 Writing for the Professions   HU, LA

Advanced, thematically centered workplace writing focusing on the more rhetorical forms: policy statements, position papers, reports, dossiers, and journal articles. Course themes vary, but cut across and encourage dialogue and debate on major issues among different professions in business, government, law, and medicine. All sections are grounded in argument, ethics, and the humanities. Class readings may include casebooks, theoretical essays, or historical documents. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing; any one of the following: 377-20100, 377-21100, or 377-21300; or any level-1 composition course from 377-10600 through 377-16500, and three courses level 2 or above in the social sciences or a professional field. 3 credits. (S, Y)

377-31300 Advanced Technical Writing   HU, LA

Advanced, thematically centered technical writing for specialized fields, such as health, environmental studies, computer science, and engineering. Fields and themes vary, but all sections address ethics and argumentation, the history and theories of technical rhetoric, and the political complexities linking scientific research, technical industry, and public policy. Students write abstracts and articles, lobbying and promotional materials, project management files, technical reports, and manuals. Prerequisites: Junior standing; 377-21300. 3 credits. (S, E)

377-31400 Science Writing   HU, LA

Advanced expository course on journalistic and literary scientific writing. Students learn to communicate scientific facts and theories to professional and sophisticated lay readers through description, analogy, narrative, and argument. Some discussion of the technical and scholarly conventions of formal scientific

writing. Class readings include major humanistic essays from the history of science, and articles and features from contemporary popular and scientific publications. Prerequisites: Junior standing; any one of the following: 377-20100 or 377-21300, and two courses in the natural sciences; or any level-1 composition course from 377-10600 through 377-16500, and three courses (at least one above level 1) in the health and natural sciences. 3 credits. (S, O)

377-31700 Proposals, Grants, and Reports   NLA

Advanced workplace writing of long, formal documents, particularly proposals, grants, and reports. Students address problems in the local community while studying the interplay among business, education, government, and non-profits. Attentive to civic responsibility in the marketplace, this course teaches research and interviewing, project management, editing, and document design. Writing assignments include feasibility, assessment, progress reports, and individual and group projects. Prerequisites: Junior standing; any one of the following: 377-20100, 377-21100, or 377-21300. 3 credits. (F, Y)

377-31800 Writing from Cultural Experience   HU LA 3a

Advanced expository essay course asks students to explore the significance of their own ethnic and cultural identity, background, and experience. Writing assignments encourage students to employ a variety of essay styles and structures -- from personal to public, and from narrative to analytical. Appropriate for any students who recognize their life experience as distinct by virtue of their nationality, race, religion, region, gender, sexual preference, or culture. Prerequisites: 377-20100 or 377-20500; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (S,Y)

377-31900 Writing as a Naturalist   HU LA 3a

Advanced expository essay course focusing on human interactions with the rest of the natural world. Readings are selected from the writing of naturalists, environmentalists, scientists, legislators, artists, poets, and philosophers. Writing assignments include field observation, description, analysis, and argument. Prerequisites: 377-20100 or 377-20500, or any level-1 composition course from 377-10600 through 377-16500; two courses in environmental studies above level 1; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F,Y)

377-32000 Public Essay   HU LA 3a

Advanced expository course providing students the occasion to write reflective literary essays on topics of public interest and significance. Students bring their own values, perspectives, insights, and voice to bear on matters of community concern. A public essay is a vehicle for making sense of the world, for offering commentary about it that deepens our understanding and awareness of our condition. Prerequisites: Junior standing or above; 377-20100 or 377-20500. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-32100 Self and the Scholarly Essay   HU, LA

An advanced academic writing course in research-based writing. Students explore the relationship between postmodern concepts of voice and contextuality and practice the new academic essay, in which personal perspective and voice inform scholarship, learning when and how subjectivity is appropriate to scholarly writing. Particularly useful for students who wish to pursue graduate careers in writing, rhetoric and composition theory, and other subjects in the humanities and the arts. Prerequisites: 377-20500. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-32500 Writing Children's Literature   FA LA

Guide to creating literature for children and young adults. In addition to studying stylistic approaches and techniques, addresses issues such as appropriate subject matter, writing for specific age groups, and the writer's moral responsibility. Reading assignments include classic and contemporary works, fairy tales and myths, and critical and historical essays. Prerequisites: 377-20500; 377-23600; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-33100 Feature Writing   HU LA

Advanced expository course in developing the skills necessary to write informative, accurate, and interesting feature articles suitable for publication in daily or weekly newspapers. Students learn interviewing and reporting skills, as well as feature genres, style, and structure. Prerequisites: 377-20100 or 377-20500; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-33400 Humorous Writing   FA LA

For those interested in writing humorously in the comedic or satiric mode. Introduces a variety of humorous forms, such as monologue, parody, caricature, and irony. Readings from past and present works contribute to a study of the historical, philosophical, psychological, and cultural dimensions of humor. Major emphasis is placed on creative writing. Prerequisites: 377-20500 or 377-23600; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-33600 Fiction Writing II   FA LA

For students with a serious commitment to writing fiction, this course builds on the work begun in 377-23600. Students may write short stories or longer fictional pieces. Prerequisites: 377-23600; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-33800 Poetry Writing II   FA LA

An advanced workshop for students with a serious commitment to the art of writing poetry. Students build on the study begun in 377-23800, striving for a greater understanding of issues and techniques in poetry. Prerequisites: 377-23800; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-34000 Magazine Writing   HU LA

Experience in researching, writing, and marketing magazine articles, with an emphasis on features. Students study the various types of articles and analyze magazines for their content, audience, and editorial policy and slant, using this understanding to write for particular magazines of their choice. Students learn reporting and research techniques, as well as how to query editors. Prerequisites: 377-20100 or 377-20500; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-34200 Writing about Sports   HU LA

Advanced expository course; students write essays about sports for a variety of audiences, and develop and articulate standards for that writing. Readings are selected from past masters and contemporary practitioners to provide a context for class discussion and for descriptive, analytical, and argumentative writing. Also emphasizes establishing an authentic voice in a genre that often elicits clichéd formulations. Prerequisites: 377-20100 or 377-20500; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-34500 Writing as a Critic   HU LA

Advanced expository course on the essentials of writing arts reviews and criticism for newspapers, magazines, and trade journals, both print and online. Subjects for review include film, theater, music, dance, performance media, literature, painting, print making, sculpture, photography, television, radio, video, games, and digital media. Course also addresses the social and aesthetic functions of arts criticism, the development of criteria for judgment, and the role and responsibility of the critic. Reading assignments include critical models, as well as essays on the theory and practice of criticism. Prerequisites: 377-20100 or 377-20500; any two courses beyond level 1 in art, art history, literature, theater, music, dance, photography, television-radio, video, or film; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-35000, 377-35200 Selected Topics in Expository Writing   HU LA

Advanced expository writing course offered at irregular intervals on topics chosen by faculty members. May be repeated for credit for selected topics on different subjects. For writing minors, the course may be an elective or fulfill a level-3 minor requirement. Prerequisites: One writing course at level 2 or above (specified by name and number at time of offering); junior standing or above. 3 credits. (IRR)

377-35400, 377-35600 Selected Topics in Creative Writing   FA LA

Advanced creative writing course offered at irregular intervals on topics chosen by faculty members. May be repeated for credit for selected topics on different subjects. For writing minors, the course may be an elective or fulfill a level-3 minor requirement. Prerequisites: 377-20500 or one creative writing course at level 2 or above (specified by name and number at time of offering); junior standing or above. 3 credits. (IRR)

377-36000 Composition Theory   HU LA

 Introduction to research and scholarship currently shaping the theory and practice of composition studies. Covers major philosophies of composing and those studies in language and learning that inform writing pedagogy. Investigates how social and political dimensions of literacy affect language use and learning, as well as how new technologies inform writing and teaching practice. Prerequisites: 377-20100; 377-20500; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-36500 Poetics   HU LA

Introduction to Western theories of creative writing as a means of investigating the relationships between writer, text, and world. Addresses cultural/political, psychological, philosophical, and aesthetic concerns. Students analyze their own creative work and process in the context of these theories. Prerequisites: 377-23600 or 377-23800; any other writing course above level 1; junior standing or above. 3 credits. (F or S,Y)

377-38000 Writers' Workshop   U LA

An advanced writing workshop offered each semester to coincide with the department's Distinguished Visiting Writers Series. Requires 15 contact hours in meetings, conferences, and classes with both the visiting writer and the writing faculty coordinator. Students produce a 15-page revised manuscript of new work in the relevant genre over the course of the semester. May be repeated up to three times for credit. Prerequisites: Junior standing or above; permission of instructor. 1 credit. (F-S,Y)

377-41000 Senior Project   U LA

 Advanced independent project designed by writing majors no later than their second junior semester and relating to their particular concentration. The

project, which must be approved by student's mentor as well as the major subcommittee, is undertaken in the second semester of the student's senior year. Work in the final portfolio is juried by both mentor and major subcommittee. Students are encouraged but not required to give a public presentation or reading of their work during their final senior semester. Prerequisites: One of the following: 377-32000, 377-33600, 377-33800; 377-36000 or 377-36500; senior standing; approval of faculty sponsor and curriculum's major subcommittee. Open to majors only. 3 credits. (F-S,Y)

377-41500 Senior Seminar   U LA

Small group setting for intensive study of selected advanced topics not provided elsewhere in the curriculum. Seminar topics vary each semester. Prerequisites: Two writing courses beyond level 1, at least one of which must be at level 3; senior standing; permission of instructor. Other specific prerequisites to be determined by the subject of the seminar. May be repeated for credit as long as focus of seminar varies. 3 credits. (F-S,Y)

377-42000 Apprenticeship   NLA

 Service as a teacher's apprentice in a writing course, correcting and commenting on student papers, tutoring, leading class exercises or discussions, and participating in conferences. Prerequisites: Desire to work with Academic Writing I or II, Personal Essay, Persuasive Argument, or an affiliated course; successful completion of at least two writing courses above level 1 with at least one B and one A- as final grades; senior standing. Successful completion of the course to which the student is applying to apprentice. 3 credits. (F-S,Y)

377-45000 Internship   NLA

 Work and study project designed by the student, in consultation with a faculty sponsor and a practicing professional. The proposal must include learning objectives, a detailed work plan, and a description of the student's written reports to faculty sponsor. Prerequisites: Three writing courses above level 1; junior standing or above. Offered on demand only. Variable credit, up to 6 credits. (F-S,Y)

377-49800 Independent Study (Exposition)   HU LA

Student-initiated expository writing project focusing on a specialized area. For the qualified, advanced student, by agreement with a faculty member. Approval of the writing department chair must be obtained one semester in advance of the proposed project. Prerequisites: Three writing courses above level 1 and other courses depending on topic; senior standing. 1-3 credits. (F-S,Y)

377-49900 Independent Study (Creative Writing)   FA LA

Student-initiated creative writing project focusing on a specialized area. For the qualified, advanced student, by agreement with a faculty member. Approval of the writing department chair must be obtained one semester in advance of the proposed project. Prerequisites: Three writing courses above level 1 and other courses depending on topic; senior standing. Offered on demand only. 1-3 credits. (F-S,Y)