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Duluth Campus

Writing Studies B.A.

English Linguistics and Writing Studies
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Program Type: Baccalaureate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2023
  • Required credits to graduate with this degree: 120
  • Required credits within the major: 38
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
The major 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. 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. The 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) 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. They also think reflectively and critically about their role as writers for professional and civic life. Students are encouraged to participate in UMD-sponsored internships in professional writing, corporate communication, editing, and publishing.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the Office of Admissions website.
General Requirements
  1. Students must meet all course and credit requirements of the departments and colleges or schools in which they are enrolled including an advanced writing course. Students seeking two degrees must fulfill the requirements of both degrees. However, two degrees cannot be awarded for the same major.
  2. Students must complete all requirements of the Liberal Education Program or its approved equivalent.
  3. Students must complete a minimum of 120 semester credits completed in compliance with University of Minnesota Duluth academic policies with credit limits (e.g., Satisfactory/Non-Satisfactory Grading Policy, Credit for Prior Learning, etc).
  4. At least 30 semester credits must be earned through UMD, and 15 of the last 30 credits earned immediately before graduation must be awarded by UMD.
  5. At least half of upper-division (3xxx-level or higher) credits that satisfy major requirements (major requirements includes all courses required for the major, including courses in a subplan) through UMD.
  6. If a minor is required, students must take at least three upper division credits in their minor field from UMD.
  7. For certificate programs, at least 3 upper-division credits that satisfy requirements for the certificate must be taken through UMD. If the program does not require upper division credits students must take at least one course from the certificate program from UMD.
  8. The minimum cumulative University of Minnesota (UMN) GPA required for graduation is 2.00 and includes only University of Minnesota coursework. A minimum UMN GPA of 2.00 is required in each UMD undergraduate major, minor, and certificate. No academic unit may impose a higher GPA standard to graduate.
  9. Diploma, transcripts, licensure, and certification will be withheld until all financial obligations to the University have been met.
Program Requirements
1. Students majoring in Writing Studies must complete a minor, second major, or dual degree in a field other than Professional Writing or Digital Writing, Literature, & Design minors. 2. Global experience is a UMD goal for all students, and international study is encouraged. Talk with an academic or faculty advisor to explore academic options for fulfilling some of your degree requirements through study abroad.
Learning in Community (1 cr)
The Learning in Community requirement will be waived for transfer students with at least 30 credits taken post-high school, and for UMD students who started in a UMD program where this was not required. First-year students who have completed 30 PSEO credits may request a waiver to the student’s primary college.
UST 1000 - Learning in Community (1.0-2.0 cr)
or EHS 1000 - Into the World [GLOBAL PER] (3.0 cr)
or ES 1000 - Global Cultural Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability [GLOBAL PER] (3.0 cr)
or LING 1000 - Language and Culture in the U.S. What does it Mean to Speak American [CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)
or PSY 1100 - Living Your Best Life: Applying Positive Psychology [CDIVERSITY] (3.0 cr)
Advanced Writing (3 cr)
WRIT 31xx - Adv Writing (3 cr)
Core (12 cr)
WRIT 1506 - Literacy, Technology and Society [LE CAT, HUMANITIES] (3.0 cr)
WRIT 2506 - Theories of Writing Studies (3.0 cr)
WRIT 4200 - Writing and Cultures (3.0 cr)
WRIT 4250 - New Media Writing (3.0 cr)
Capstone (1 cr)
WRIT 4506 - Capstone Course: Senior Portfolio Preparation (1.0 cr)
Writing Electives (15 cr)
Take 5 or more course(s) totaling 15 or more credit(s) from the following: take at least 5 courses across the two course lists for a minimum total of 15 credits. WRIT 4197-Internship may be repeated for a total of 6 credits. (This excludes WRIT 1120 and 31xx.)
Take 3 - 5 course(s) from the following:
· WRIT 1006 - Journal and Memoir Writing [LE CAT] (3.0 cr)
· WRIT 2400 - Language of Advertising (3.0 cr)
· WRIT 2595 - Special Topics: (Various Titles to be Assigned) (3.0 cr)
· WRIT 4100 - Introduction to Grant Writing and Project Planning (3.0 cr)
· WRIT 4220 - Document Design and Graphics (3.0 cr)
· WRIT 4222 - Electronic Publication (4.0 cr)
· WRIT 4230 - Web Design and Digital Culture (3.0 cr)
· WRIT 4260 - Visual Narrative and Analytical Design (3.0 cr)
· WRIT 4300 - Research Methods for the Study of Writing (3.0 cr)
· WRIT 1xxx-4xxx
· Optional Experience
Take 0 - 6 credit(s) from the following:
· WRIT 4197 - Internship in Writing (1.0-3.0 cr)
· WRIT 4591 - Independent Study (1.0-3.0 cr)
General Electives (6 cr)
Take 2 or more course(s) totaling 6 or more credit(s) from the following:
· COMM 1xxx-4xxx
· ENGL 1xxx-4xxx
· FIN 1xxx-4xxx
· JOUR 1xxx-4xxx
· LING 1xxx-4xxx
· MIS 1xxx-4xxx
· TH 1xxx-4xxx
 
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· College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

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· Writing Studies B.A.
· Study Abroad (one term)

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· Writing Studies B.A.
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UST 1000 - Learning in Community
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
Facilitates the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD. Credit will not be granted if already received for EHS 1000.
EHS 1000 - Into the World (GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: EHS 1000/UST 1000/ ES 1000
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course fulfills the UST 1000 requirement. Facilitates the transition into college learning and student life at UMD and the College of Education and Human Service Professions. Introduces the promise and peril of global challenges in the 21st century and relates these challenges to local communities. pre-req: 1st semester CEHSP student
ES 1000 - Global Cultural Perspectives on Environmental Sustainability (GLOBAL PER)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course fulfills the UST 1000 requirement. This course explores the global cultural context of sustainability while facilitating the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD. Examine the topic of environmental sustainability through the context of global culture and affairs. Explore different cultural approaches to solving environmental issues, compare and contrast these approaches with those taken in the US. Investigate the concept of outsourcing with respect to the peoples and ecosystems that are impacted by the practice. pre-req: less than 30 credits earned
LING 1000 - Language and Culture in the U.S. What does it Mean to Speak American (CDIVERSITY)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course fulfills the UST 1000 requirement. Facilitates the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD while simultaneously fulfilling other core requirements. Examines the topic of Cultural Diversity in the U.S. through the context of language and dialect in American English. Explores the impact language has on the broad spectrum of American culture, and conversely, the ways in which various American cultures and their diverse heritages have influenced the many ways language is spoken in the United States. Investigates concepts of linguistic competency, perceptions and biases toward language, power structures manifested in language, and influences of class, race, ethnicity, and heritage on spoken language. pre-req: less than 30 credits
PSY 1100 - Living Your Best Life: Applying Positive Psychology (CDIVERSITY)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course fulfills the UST 1000 requirement. Facilitate the successful transition into college learning and student life at UMD; applications of positive psychology across cultures and positive behavior change; the examination of diverse perspectives in positive psychology; the promotion of student well-being, community and inclusivity, and time- and stress-management techniques. pre-req: less than 30 credits
WRIT 1506 - Literacy, Technology and Society (LE CAT, HUMANITIES)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Historical survey of cultures without writing systems and cultures with writing systems and then later with printing, telegraph, radio, telephone, television, computers as well as other forms of technology. Survey of attitudes toward technology from Thoreau to Gandhi and beyond.
WRIT 2506 - Theories of Writing Studies
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Considers writing itself as both a practice and an object of study. Drawing on composition, journalism, linguistics, literary studies, and rhetoric, the course offers a survey of historical, critical, and theoretical issues in writing studies. Writing assignments ask students to apply a writing studies framework to produce and analyze specific texts. prereq: WRIT 1120
WRIT 4200 - Writing and Cultures
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Through historical, theoretical and applied lenses, examines the dialectic between writing and culture, that is, how writing shapes culture and, conversely, how culture shapes writing. Specific concepts (access, agency, community, identity and power) relevant to understanding how cultures and the social relations that constitute them are constructed and maintained will be examined in detail. prereq: 1120, minimum 60 cr
WRIT 4250 - New Media Writing
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Writ 4250/5250
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Combines the theory and production of new media writing--digital, verbal practices in converged media--through the application of readings and discussion to five projects that progress from written, print-based genres to new-media presentation. prereq: minimum 60 cr, no grad credit
WRIT 4506 - Capstone Course: Senior Portfolio Preparation
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: S-N or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Portfolios for multiple purposes will be prepared under the guidance of a faculty member. prereq: minimum 90 credits
WRIT 1006 - Journal and Memoir Writing (LE CAT)
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer
Study various published and unpublished journals and memoirs, write journals and memoirs entries, and read about social context of journals and memoirs.
WRIT 2400 - Language of Advertising
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: LING 2400/WRIT 2400
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Our linguistic landscape has never been more saturated with advertising, branding, messaging, and media. This course will explore the links between the markets and masses through a variety of linguistic aspects. Students will scrutinize film, journalism, podcasts, comics, and interactive experiences for language play, genderspeak, teenspeak, emerging changes in use, and representation of time and perspective.
WRIT 2595 - Special Topics: (Various Titles to be Assigned)
Credits: 3.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Writing studies topics not included in regular curriculum. prereq: WRIT 1120 or equivalent or instructor consent
WRIT 4100 - Introduction to Grant Writing and Project Planning
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Writ 4100/5100
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Introduction to basic grant writing principles, including common types of grants, project planning, locating and researching funders, and writing effective narratives, preparing budgets, and evaluating program outcomes. Course utilizes lectures, discussion, group work, and guest speakers. prereq: 1120, min 60 cr, no grad credit
WRIT 4220 - Document Design and Graphics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Writ 4220/5220
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Principles and practice of using computer programs to design, create, and print documents that effectively integrate verbal and graphic texts. prereq: 1120, min 60 cr, no grad credit
WRIT 4222 - Electronic Publication
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall
Introduces students to recent developments in the creation of books, journals and newsletters in electronic form and acquaints them with the conversion of print into electronically distributed form.
WRIT 4230 - Web Design and Digital Culture
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Writ 4230/5230
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Practice in the aesthetic, cultural, and rhetorical uses of Web-design techniques, including discussion and writing about the theoretical and historical contexts of digital culture. prereq: Min 30 cr, no grad credit
WRIT 4260 - Visual Narrative and Analytical Design
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Writ 4260/5260
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
In addition to teaching the mechanics of graphic production, this class draws widely on the disciplines of digital design, statistics, narrative literature, engineering, and technical writing to enable students to conceive, produce, and write about visual texts critically and effectively. prereq: minimum 60 cr, no grad credit
WRIT 4300 - Research Methods for the Study of Writing
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: Writ 4300/5300
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Provides students with instruction and practice in critiquing research, generating research questions, designing research projects, and reporting research results in the study of writing. prereq: 1120, min 60 cr, no grad credit
WRIT 4197 - Internship in Writing
Credits: 1.0 -3.0 [max 6.0]
Course Equivalencies: Writ 4197/5197
Grading Basis: S-N only
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Practical writing experience with a media organization, publisher, business, or government agency. prereq: instructor consent, no grad credit
WRIT 4591 - Independent Study
Credits: 1.0 -3.0 [max 6.0]
Course Equivalencies: Writ 4591/5591
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
Students choose projects with their instructor. prereq: instructor consent, no grad credit