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Dr. Oscar De Los Santos, Co-Chair delossantoso@wcsu.edu HI 219E, Midtown campus (203) 837-9044
Dr. Brian Clements, Co-Chair clementsb@wcsu.edu Higgins Hall 219B, Midtown campus (203) 837-8876
Krista Brooks, Department Secretary brooksk@wcsu.edu Higgins Hall, 201, Midtown campus (203) 837-9041 Fax (203) 837-3953
The Department of Writing and Literature offers Bachelor of Arts programs in Writing and English (including Creative Writing, Business and Technical Writing, and Journalism and Public Relations options), a Bachelor of Science program in Secondary English Education, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative and Professional Writing.
Our department is committed to enriching lives through the study of writing and literature; to exploring issues of justice, identity, and equity across our curricula; and to preparing students for writing, editing, publishing, and teaching careers.
Students in Writing and Literature have opportunities to enrich their learning experiences through two Honor Societies (Pi Epsilon Pi and Sigma Tau Delta), three magazines and a student-run newspaper (The Echo), internships and work experiences on and off campus, visiting writers and lecturers, and our innovative Writers’ Studio course sequence.
At the successful completion of the program, Writing Majors will:
At the successful completion of the program, English Majors will:
Pi Epsilon Pi The Writing program in the Department of Writing and Literature sponsors the Connecticut Alpha Chapter of Pi Epsilon Pi, a national writing honor society. Students inducted into the chapter are among the university’s most successful and active students and are eligible for Departmental Distinction. All Writing major and minor students with at least Junior standing, at least two Writing courses completed beyond the W2 requirement, at least 24 credits earned at WCSU, GPA of at least 3.33 in Writing courses, and standing in the top 35% of their class are eligible for induction.
Sigma Tau Delta The English program sponsors Alpha Lambda Epsilon, a local chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society. Sigma Tau Delta’s central purpose is to confer distinction upon students of the English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate and professional studies. Candidates for undergraduate membership must have completed at least three semesters of college work and a minimum of two college courses in English language or literature beyond the usual requirements in freshman English. Members must also have a minimum 3.0 grade point average in English and rank at least in the highest 35 percent of their class in general scholarship. Students may contact the department chair for more information on becoming a member of Alpha Lambda Epsilon.
The Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing in the Department of Writing and Literature prepares students for careers and advanced study in fields that include creative writing, technical writing, public relations, online and print journalism, and publishing, as well as writing-intensive professions such as the law, publishing, business, and education.
Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing with three options: Business and Technical Writing Creative Writing Journalism and Public Relations
Minor Programs Broadcast Journalism Creative Writing Journalism Professional Writing Sports Media
Courses in English prepare students for success in a wide variety of careers. In literature, authors examine the challenges of human existence, and readers participate by discussing and writing about what makes texts and their ideas important and pertinent to new generations. We consider the English degree to be the “degree for life,” because English courses develop three skills needed in any field:
These skills are developed by close reading of literary texts and by exploring their personal and historical contexts. The English degree prepares students to enter fields where knowledge of texts, critical thinking, and written and oral communication are vital.
BA in English
BS Secondary Education: English
Minor Programs English American Literature
Students must complete all general education requirements, the required major courses listed below, the courses and credits listed in one of the options below, and additional electives for a total of 120 semester hours.
Description: The Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing program prepares students for careers in fields that include creative writing, technical writing, public relations, online and print journalism, as well as writing intensive professions such as the law, publishing, business and education. Students may choose one of three B.A. degree options: 1. Creative Writing, 2. Business and Technical Writing, 3. Journalism and Public Relations.
Degree Requirements All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH). This includes major requirements, general education requirements, and electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.
Required Courses in the Major: 51 SH.
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. The WCSU General Education curriculum invites students to encounter a broad range of topics and skills in the liberal arts and sciences. The system requires students to successfully complete a minimum of 40 semester hours split across eleven learning areas. Generally, students can satisfy the requirements for a given learning area with any course they choose within that area; some programs of study may require specific Major Designated General Education Courses; if so, they will be listed with the program requirements. Additionally, the Racial Justice and Global Diversity requirements may be completed with courses which are part of the program requirements. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link: https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad/academic-programs-degrees/
Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours. Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.
Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*May be taken in Semester 1 or Semester 2
** All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require students to study a language other than English to at least the elementary level II. Students who have completed three years of a language other than English in high school with an overall “C” average or completed a total of four years of two languages other than English in high school with an overall “B” average have met this requirement.
Note the following course prerequisites:
Prerequisite for WRT 342 Poetry Workshop II is WRT 242 Poetry Workshop I or WRT 261 Forms of Poetry.
Prerequisite for WRT 343 Fiction Workshop II is WRT 243 Fiction Workshop I or WRT 262 Forms of Fiction.
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Professional Writing: Creative Writing Option Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*May be taken in Semester 1 or Semester 2.
**All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require that students complete a language at or above the elementary II level. Students who have completed three years of a foreign language at a minimum of a C average in high school have met this requirement.
Sample Four Year Plan: BA Professional Writing: Journalism & Public Relations Option Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
Required Communication course (3 SH): COM 146 Basic Video Production
Two (2) courses selected from the following list (6 SH): COM 243 Broadcast Writing COM 246 Intermediate Video Production COM 247 Live News & Election Coverage COM 252 Media Performance Techniques COM 270 Fundamentals of Radio Broadcasting COM 442 Communication Law
Required Writing course (3 SH): WRT 270 News Writing
Two (2) courses selected from the following list (6 SH): WRT 279 Sports Writing WRT 335W Fact-Based Opinion Writing WRT 338 Writing about Specialized Subjects WRT 375 Book, Performance, and Restaurant Reviewing WRT 490 Internship/Practicum in Writing
Required Course (3 SH): WRT 242 Poetry Workshop I (CP) OR WRT 243: Fiction Workshop I (CP)
Five (5) courses selected from the following list (15 SH): WRT 242 Poetry Workshop I WRT 243 Fiction Workshop I WRT/THR 244 Playwriting Workshop WRT 247 Multimedia Writing WRT 261 Forms of Poetry WRT 262 Forms of Fiction WRT 274 Form and Inspiration WRT 275 Topics in Professional Writing WRT 339 The Creative Essay WRT 342 Poetry Workshop II WRT 343 Fiction Workshop II WRT 345 Writing Prose Poetry & Flash Fiction WRT/THR 346 Advanced Playwriting Workshop WRT 371W Writing the Weird: Conspiracy Theories WRT 377W The Writing Life COM 242 Scriptwriting
Note: In order to take WRT 342 Poetry Workshop II, the student must first take WRT 242 Poetry Workshop I and WRT 261 Forms of Poetry. In order to take WRT 343 Fiction Workshop II, the student must first take WRT 243 Fiction Workshop I and WRT 262 Forms of Fiction.
Required course (3 SH): WRT 270 News Writing
Five (5) courses from the following list (15 SH): WRT 247 Multimedia Writing WRT 255 Advertising, Copywriting, and Promotion WRT 271 Human Interest Writing JLA/WRT 321W Legal Writing, Research, and Analysis (W2) WRT 335W Fact-Based Opinion Writing WRT 338 Writing about Specialized Subjects WRT 340W Public Relations Writing COM 230 History of Mass Media COM 243 Broadcast Writing
Required courses (6 SH): WRT 210W Managerial Writing WRT 245W Technical Writing
Two (2) of the following Creative Writing courses (6 SH): WRT 242 Poetry Workshop I WRT 243 Fiction Workshop I WRT/THR 244 Playwriting Workshop WRT 247 Multimedia Writing WRT 345 Writing Prose Poetry & Flash Fiction WRT 349 Creative Essay
Two (2) of the following Journalism/Public Relations courses (6 SH): WRT 247 Multimedia Writing WRT 255 Advertising, Copywriting, and Promotion WRT 270 News Writing JLA/WRT 321W Legal Writing, Research, and Analysis WRT 338 Writing about Specialized Subjects WRT 340W Public Relations Writing, Concepts and Practices
Required Courses (9 SH): COM 146 Basic Video Production WRT 270 News Writing WRT 279 Sports Writing
Three (3) courses from the following list (9 SH): CS 110 Website Production DIMA 100 Introduction to Digital Interactive Media COM 243 Broadcast Writing WRT 247 Multimedia Writing COM 252 Media Performance Techniques COM 270 Fundamentals of Radio Broadcasting Sports Writing Internship Other courses by advisement
Description: The study of literature prepares students for success in a wide variety of careers. In literature, authors examine the challenges of human existence and readers participate by discussing and writing about what makes texts and their ideas important and pertinent to new generations. We consider the English degree to be the “degree for life,” because English courses develop three skills needed in any field: the ability to read analytically, to think critically, and to write clearly.
Degree Requirements All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH), including major requirements, general education requirements, and electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.
Required Courses in the Major: 42 SH.
Sample Four Year Plan: BA English Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
* All Bachelor of Arts degrees at WCSU require students to study a language other than English to at least the elementary level II. Students who have completed three years of a language other than English in high school with an overall “C” average or completed a total of four years of two languages other than English in high school with an overall “B” average have met this requirement.
Course Restrictions For a complete list of prerequisites, corequisites and other restrictions for all courses, please consult the Course Description section of this catalog.
Description: This degree provides students with the breadth of knowledge of literature, writing, and modes of inquiry in the humanities, so that students have the foundational knowledge they need to educate others.
Required Courses in the Major: 42 SH, Certification 35 SH
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2021/academic-programs-degrees/
Sample Four Year Plan: BS Secondary Education: English Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.
*The BS Secondary Ed: English degree requires students to study a language other than English to at least the elementary level I. Students who have completed three years of a language other than English in high school with an overall “C” average or completed a total of four years of two languages other than English in high school with an overall “B” average have met this requirement.
Please see your advisor to review all program requirements.
Required Courses (3 SH): ENG 130W English Seminar
Five (5) courses from the following list (15 SH): ENG 209 American Literature to 1865 ENG 210 American Literature from 1865 ENG 214 African American Literature ENG 217 American Dream: Visions & Revisions ENG 348 Early American Literature ENG 349 American Literature of Identity 1820-1920
Students may petition the Chair to apply the following courses to the minor when, in the Chair’s judgment, the topic is appropriate: ENG 227 Topics in Ethnic and Minority Literature ENG 414 Road Scholar ENG 450 Studies in Major Authors ENG 453 Special Topics in Literature
Required Courses: ENG 130W English Seminar Two (2) 200-level English courses Two (2) 300-level English courses One (1) 400-level literature course
