Apr 19, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication, B.A.

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Program Description

The WRTC major emphasizes scholarly, humanistic and social scientific perspectives on the function and application of communication technologies, with instruction in areas such as:

  • literacy studies
  • rhetorical traditions
  • writing pedagogy
  • editing
  • website theory and design
  • publications management
  • knowledge and information management
  • writing for professional communities such as government, medical, scientific and academic

In addition to offering students the rhetorical tools with which to excel as professional communicators, the B.A. and B.S. programs also prepare graduates for academic studies in writing, rhetoric and technical communication at the master’s level as well as for professional programs such as law school.

The B.A. and B.S. programs in WRTC unite three disciplines into a flexible, yet historically and theoretically grounded degree program. The WRTC degree teaches students to think in ways that cross disciplinary lines and to demonstrate accomplishment in multiple genres of writing, rhetoric and technical communication.

Students work with their WRTC advisers to design a program that fits their unique educational needs and career aspirations.

Course requirements differ between the B.A. and B.S. programs, and students should maintain regular contact with their WRTC adviser to ensure timely graduation. Requirements and eligible courses for the B.A. are outlined below. 

Degree and Major Requirements

Degree RequirementsCredit Hours
General Education 141
Foreign language classes (intermediate level required) 2 0-14
Philosophy course (in addition to General Education courses) 3
Major requirements39
University electives

Total

23-37

120

Footnotes

1 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some of these credits may be fulfilled by courses within a student’s major or minor.

2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level (typically 232) of the student’s chosen language or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Language, Literature and Cultures’ placement test.

Major Requirements

Credit Hours
Core requirements21
WRTC electives

Major Requirements Total 

18

39

Core Requirements: 21 Credit Hours

All students must complete 21 hours of core requirements.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for most courses above WRTC 200  require completion of  WRTC 200 . Students may enroll in some courses for which they have not taken the prerequisite courses with permission of the instructor.

Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication Major Electives

The WRTC major is designed to provide students the flexibility to choose the electives that fit their own interests and future plans. WRTC advisers can give students information on tracks they might wish to follow when making choices of which elective courses to take, yet no specific grouping is required to complete the major. In addition to choosing any 12 credit hours in WRTC electives, students take one community-based learning (CBL) course (3 credits) and one culturally-engaged requirement course (3 credits).

Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication Elective Requirements

WRTC Electives: 12 Credit Hours

Choose four of the following courses:

Culturally Engaged Requirement: 3 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following courses:

Community-Based Learning Electives: 3 Credit Hours

Choose one of the following courses:

WRTC Electives Total: 18 Credit Hours

Recommended Schedule for Majors

Students are encouraged to begin their WRTC course work as soon as possible in their degree plans. The following sample program of study illustrates how a WRTC major might earn a B.A. degree.

First Year - First Semester

First Year - First Semester Total: 15-16 Credit Hours

Footnotes

1 Completion of an intermediate level foreign language is required for the B.A. degree (usually six hours if begun at the intermediate level) unless the language requirement is satisfied by an exemption test. In that case, university electives may be substituted for additional hours indicated as foreign language courses.

First Year - Second Semester

First Year - Second Semester Total: 15-16 Credit Hours

Second Year - First Semester

Second Year - First Semester Total: 16 Credit Hours

Second Year - Second Semester

Second Year - Second Semester Total: 15-18 Credit Hours

Third Year - First Semester

  • WRTC electives Credits: 6.00
  • General Education  courses Credits: 6.00
  • University elective Credits: 3.00

Third Year - First Semester Total: 15 Credit Hours

Third Year - Second Semester

  • WRTC elective Credits: 6.00​​​​​​​
  • General Education  courses Credits: 3.00-6.00
  • University electives Credits: 6.00

Third Year - Second Semester Total: 15-18 Credit Hours

Fourth Year - First Semester

  • WRTC electives Credits: 3.00-6.00
  • University electives Credits: 6.00-9.00

Fourth Year - First Semester Total: 15-18 Credit Hours

Fourth Year - Second Semester

Fourth Year - Second Semester Total: 15-16 Credit Hours

Program Total: 120 Credit Hours

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