Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication, B.S.

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.S. are outlined below.

Degree and Major 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).

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.S. degree.

Program Total: 120 Credit Hours