Campuses:
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Duluth Campus
Writing Studies B.A.English Linguistics and Writing Studies
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
The major in writing studies, which offers emphases in journalism or professional writing, explores writing as a field of inquiry: its production, its circulation, its uses, and its role in the development of individuals, professional communities, and societies. The major begins with the history of writing practices, genres, systems of production and distribution, and related institutions. A major in writing studies draws from the resources of linguistics to understand the relationships between writing, cognition, and communication. It uses the tools of qualitative, quantitative, and humanistic research to advance those explorations. It culminates in a practical examination of writing in traditional and emerging technologies. In core and elective courses, students develop skills in the analysis of rhetorical situations, the selection of media, and the production of texts appropriate for a variety of discourse communities. They also think reflectively and critically about their role as writers for professional and civic life. Students select a journalism or professional writing sub-plan to complete their study.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
Required prerequisites
Introductory Requirement (1 cr)
Transfer students with 24 or more credits and current UMD students who change colleges to CLA are exempt from this requirement. New first-year students with 24 or more PSEO credits may request to be waived from this requirement.
UST 1000 - Learning in Community
(1.0-2.0 cr)
General Requirements
Program Requirements
1. Students majoring in Writing Studies in either emphasis (Professional Writing or Journalism) must complete a minor or second major in a field other than Journalism, Professional Writing, or Information Design.
2. The journalism or professional writing emphasis must be declared through the CLA Advising and Academic Services office.
Required Core (15 cr)
Take 5 or more courses totaling at least 15 credits.
Take 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
JOUR 2400 - Community and Journalism
[GLOBAL PER]
(3.0 cr)
·
JOUR 2501 - History of American Media
(3.0 cr)
·
JOUR 3700 - Media Law and Ethics
(3.0 cr)
·
WRIT 1506 - Literacy, Technology and Society
[LE CAT, HUMANITIES]
(3.0 cr)
·
WRIT 2506 - Theories of Writing Studies
(3.0 cr)
·
WRIT 4250 - New Media Writing
(3.0 cr)
Required Capstone (1 cr)
WRIT 4506 - Capstone Course: Senior Portfolio Preparation
(1.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Journalism
The journalism curriculum engages the study and practice of mass communication in a converged, multimedia environment. It prepares students for careers as reporters, editors, producers, and photographers in print, broadcast, and multimedia news. The program is built on a liberal arts foundation, including the history, traditions, routines, and practices of journalism. Students learn the skills they need to succeed in the profession, study its legal and ethical dimensions, and examine the sociology of news and the context in which journalism is practiced.
Students are encouraged to participate in UMD-sponsored internships at news, publishing, and broadcast organizations, both locally and across the country. Additionally, students have the opportunity to do extracurricular work at the student newspaper and the public radio and television stations on campus.
Journalism Electives (9 cr)
To fulfill this requirement students must take at least three 3 credit courses with the WRIT or JOUR subject/designator (except WRIT 1120). Students must take at least one WRIT and one JOUR course. JOUR 4197-Internship may be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Selected COMM, ENGL, FMIS, LING, TH or relevant course work, as appropriate to the plan of study for the student, may be substituted with departmental approval.
Journalism (3 cr)
Take at least one course from the following.
JOUR 2xxx - 4xxx
Writing (3 cr)
Take at least one course from the following. (This excludes WRIT 1120.)
WRIT 1xxx - 4xxx
Professional Writing
The professional writing curriculum synthesizes 1) knowledge and experience with writing technologies from a liberal arts, as well as a technical, perspective; 2) practice in applying principles of rhetoric, design, cultural theory, and creative thinking to the production of professional writing projects; and 3) experience in developing successful relationships with writing/design communities and other audiences. Students develop writing skills relevant to professional situations (document design and delivery, the development of varied writing techniques, and persuasive argument) with an understanding of writing's ethical and social implications.
Students are encouraged to participate in UMD-sponsored internships in professional writing, corporate communication, editing, and publishing.
Advanced Writing Requirement (3 cr)
WRIT 31xx - Adv Writing (3 cr)
Professional Writing Electives (12 cr)
To fulfill this requirement students must take at least four 3 credit courses with the WRIT and JOUR designator/subject (except WRIT 1120). Students must take at least one WRIT and one JOUR course. WRIT 4197-Internship may be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Selected COMM, ENGL, FMIS, LING, TH, or other relevant course work, as appropriate to the plan of study for the student, may be substituted with departmental approval.
Writing (3 cr)
Take at least one course from the following. (This excludes WRIT 1120.)
WRIT 1xxx - 4xxx
Journalism (3 cr)
Take at least one course from the following.
JOUR 2xxx - 4xxx
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Credits: | 1.0 -2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | JOUR 2400/FORS 2400 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Writ 4250/5250 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Jour 4102/Jour 5102 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Writ 4260/5260 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Writ 4300/5300 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |