COURSE CURRICULUM

The Writing and Rhetoric program’s coursework is designed to help students understand writing as both a historical practice and a modern digital skill. The classes explore how writing shapes communication in academic, professional, and creative contexts while also preparing students to work effectively in today’s media-rich environments.Students begin with foundational courses such as Style for Writers, which focuses on clarity, grammar, tone, and effective expression across different writing situations. History of Literacies and Writing examines how writing systems, reading practices, and communication methods have evolved over time, helping students understand the cultural and historical development of literacy.Modern communication skills are developed through courses like Digital Writing and Digital Storytelling, where students learn to create content for online platforms using text, images, audio, and interactive media. These courses emphasize how storytelling adapts to digital environments and how writers can engage audiences through multiple formats.Writing in Workplace Contexts prepares students for professional environments by focusing on business communication, technical writing, and workplace genres such as reports, proposals, and emails. This helps students develop practical skills that are directly applicable to careers in industry, nonprofit organizations, and corporate settings.Creative and analytical thinking are strengthened through courses like Ghostwriting and Writing with Photographs, which explore authorship, voice, and the relationship between text and visual media. Visual Rhetoric further examines how images communicate meaning and how visual design influences interpretation alongside written content.Overall, the curriculum blends theory, history, and applied writing practice. Students learn to analyze and produce a wide range of texts while gaining strong digital literacy skills. The program prepares graduates for careers in writing, editing, content creation, communication strategy, media, and other fields where strong written and digital communication skills are essential.