Writing and Rhetoric Concentration
Program Director: Ellen Bonds, Ph.D.
Office Location: 453 Saint Augustine Center
Telephone: 610-519-4657
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About
As an interdisciplinary program with courses from the Departments of English and Communication, the Program in Writing and Rhetoric offers students opportunities to gain significant knowledge of the rhetorical framework constituting professional, aesthetic and everyday writing. The program will allow students who want to pursue study in writing and communication to do so in a focused and comprehensive way with examination of the theoretical, historical, and philosophical aspects of these disciplines.
CONCENTRATION (24 credits)
In keeping with the English Department’s focus on literary texts, the notion of rhetoric informing the Concentration includes textual analysis as well as the more traditional uses of the term, thus bringing the wisdom and imagination of literary discourse into the Concentration. Such a focus on literary texts also underscores the well-known correlation between reading well and writing well. Furthering the Communication Department’s focus on orality and persuasion, the Concentration will allow students to develop rhetorically complex understandings of audiences and master of the skills necessary to adapt the written and oral messages for identified audiences.
Program Notes:
- Non-Credit bearing internships may also possibly fulfil the One Practicum Course requirement if they involve a substantial amount of writing. The internship must be approved by the Director of the Writing and Rhetoric Program.
- Students must have a 3.0 average or better to enroll in the Concentration. To successfully complete the Concentration, students must achieve a 3.0 average in their Concentration courses.