WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2021-2022 : Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences

Writing, Linguistics & Creative Process

Brian Clements, Chair
ClementsB@wcsu.edu
Higgins Hall 219B, Midtown campus
(203) 887-8876

Krista Brooks, Department Secretary
BrooksK@wcsu.edu
Higgins Hall, 201, Midtown campus
(203) 837-9041
Fax (203) 837-3953

 

Faculty

Dr. Brian Clements, Chair Dr. Kelli Custer Prof Anthony D’Aries
Dr. Oscar De Los Santos
Prof. Bonnie Denmark Dr. Edward Hagan
Prof. John Roche Deatra Anderson (Special Appt. Spring 2022)

 

Overview
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.

 

Mission
To prepare students for careers as professional writers, the Department of Writing, Linguistics and Creative Process focuses on the following objectives:

  • Engaging students through innovative and cutting-edge programs in writing as a process of making form and meaning.
  • Training professional writing students for work in business, publishing in all its facets, and teaching.
  • Immersing students in the rich environment of professional writing activities and talent available in New York City and author-endowed Fairfield and Litchfield counties.
  • Emphasizing writing as key to critical thinking.
  • Highlighting the importance of linguistics and understanding the basic components of language and texts to professional writers.
  • Assisting students with the development of style, voice and attunement to genre.
  • Creating a community of writers at Western that fosters an awareness of the importance of writing across the curriculum.

 

Learning Outcomes

Students who earn degrees in Professional Writing will:

  1. Demonstrate strong critical thinking skills through writing for a variety of audiences, purposes, and situations.
  2. Demonstrate an extensive ability to identify, assess, and perform—in both academic and professional settings—the types of writing for the chosen area of focus, such as creative writing, professional writing, and journalism.
  3. Demonstrate a working ability to identify and perform types of writing outside of the specific area of focus.
  4. Produce a senior portfolio that demonstrates an increasing level of professionalism in writing in terms of choice of topic, application of style, and ability to produce error-free texts

 

General Education Writing Requirement
The Department of Writing, Linguistics and Creative Process participates broadly in the university’s general education program. The general education writing requirement consists of a sequence of three courses: a Tier 1 Writing course (WRT 101 Composition I), a subsequent Tier 2 Writing-Intensive course, and finally, a Tier 3 Writing-Intensive course.

The department’s First-Year Writing Coordinator supervises placement of entering students. Students’ placement may be based upon SAT or ACT test scores, AP scores, or WCSU placement exam.

Students are placed into either Writing Tier 1 or Tier 2:

  1. Tier 1: Student will take WRT 101: Composition I (and may be required to take WRT 105, a one-hour supplement, if indicated by placement exam). Students in the EAP program will take WRT 101P.
  2. Tier 2: Student may take a writing-intensive course (W2). Any student placed directly into Tier 2 need not take WRT 101.

The following courses offered by the Writing department fulfill the general education Writing Intensive Tier 2 course requirement:

WRT 103W: Composition II: Modes of Research (W2, IL)
WRT 210W: Managerial Writing (W2)
WRT 245W: Technical Writing: Topic (W2)
WRT 273W: Writing Identity (W2)
WRT 303W: Composition III: Advanced Research (W2)
WRT 321W: Legal Writing, Research, and Analysis (W2)
WRT 335W: Fact-Based Opinion Writing (W2)
WRT 337W: Teaching Writing in the Schools: Elementary and Middle Schools (W2)
WRT 340W: Public Relations Writing, Concepts, and Practice (W2)
WRT 347W: Teaching Writing in the Schools: Secondary Schools (W2)
WRT 371W: Writing the Weird: Conspiracy Theories (W2)
WRT 377W: The Writing Life (W2)

The following courses offered by the Writing department fulfill the Creative Process (CP) general education course requirement:

WRT 102: Introduction to the Creative Process (CP)
WRT 133: Introduction to Writing Fiction (CP)
WRT 134: Introduction to Writing Poetry (CP)
WRT 171: Conversations with Predecessors (CP)
WRT 172: Conversations with Contemporaries (CP)
THR/WRT 244: Playwriting Workshop I (CP)
WRT 274: Form and Inspiration (CP)

 

Degree Programs in Professional Writing

Bachelor of Arts Major 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

 


Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing (B.A.)

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 free electives for a total of 120 semester hours.

Important note:  Students must have an overall G.P.A. of 2.5 or better in courses used to satisfy the major.

 

B.A. in Professional Writing – Business and Technical Writing Option (18 S.H)

DescriptionThe 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, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.   

Required Courses in the Major: 37 SH.  

Writing Core  
WRT 171 Conversations with Predecessors (CP)  3 SH 
WRT 172 Conversations with Contemporaries (CP)  3 SH 
WRT 274 Form and Inspiration (CP)  3 SH 
Writer’s Studio  
WRT 190FY Writer’s Studio FY  3 SH 
WRT 290 Writers’ Studio II  3 SH 
WRT 390 Writer’s Studio III  3 SH 
Required Upper-Level Courses 
LNG 320 Modern English Grammar  3 SH 
WRT 442 Publication Design & Development  3 SH 
WRT 465 Thesis (W3)  3 SH 
Required WRT Electives: Two courses (6 SH) in WRT at 200 level or above.   6 SH 
Business and Technical Writing Option 
WRT 210W Managerial Writing (W2) 3 SH 
WRT 245W Technical Writing (W2)
Select three courses from the following: WRT 246 Science Writing, WRT 247 Multimedia Writing, WRT 255 Advertising, Copywriting, and Promotion, WRT 270 Newswriting, WRT 271 Human Interest Writing, JLA/WRT 321W Legal Writing, Research, and Analysis, WRT 340W Public Relations Writing, Concepts, and Practices, WRT 490 Practicum/Internship 9 SH 
Students must have a 2.5 GPA or higher in this Professional Writing major courses. 


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/ugrad21222021/academic-programs-degrees/ 

Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.  

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.  


Sample Four Year Plan: BA Professional Writing: Business & Technical Writing Option

Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.  

Semester 1  SH  Semester 2  SH 
MAT 100 or Gen Ed: Quantitative Reasoning (QR) 3  WRT 171 Conversations with Predecessors (CP)  3 
WRT 101 Composition I (W1)  3  Gen Ed: WRT 103W Modes of Research (IL, W2) 3 
Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (CT) 3  Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) 3 
WRT 274 Form and Inspiration (CP)  3  LNG 320 Modern English Grammar 3 
WRT 190FY Writers’ Studio (FY) 3  Gen Ed: Scientific Inquiry (SI) 4
       
Semester 3  SH  Semester 4  SH 
WRT 172 Conversations with Contemporaries (CP) 3  General Elective 3 
WRT 210W Managerial Writing (W2)  3  WRT 245W Technical Writing (W2) 3 
WRT 290 Writers’ Studio II 3  General Elective 3 
Gen Ed: Intercultural Competency (IC)
(Elementary Language 1 if language req. not met)
3 Gen Ed: Elementary Language 2 (Repeat IC) if not yet met.
OR General Elective
3 
Gen Ed: Health and Wellness (HW) 2 Gen Ed: Repeat Competency  3 
       
Semester 5    Semester 6   
Gen Ed: Repeat Competency (if not yet filled)
OR General Elective
3  WRT Elective 3 
WRT 390 Writers’ Studio III 3  Business and Tech Option Course 3 
General Elective 3  WRT 442 Publication Design & Development 3 
Business and Tech Option Course 3  General Elective 3 
General Elective 3  General Elective 3 
       
Semester 7    Semester 8   
Business and Tech Option Course 3  WRT 465 Senior Thesis (CE, W3)  3 
WRT Elective 3  Business and Tech Option Course 3 
General Elective 3  General Elective  3 
General Elective  3  General Elective  3 
General Elective  3  General Elective  3 
You must earn a 2.5 overall or higher in all 100-level Writing Major courses. 
Total Credits Required for the BA in Communication = 120; Minimum GPA in major 2.5. 

*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. However, you must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course. 

 

B.A. in Professional Writing – Creative Writing Option (18 S.H.)

DescriptionThe 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, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.   

Required Courses in the Major: 51 SH.  

Writing Core  
WRT 171 Conversations with Predecessors (CP)  3 SH 
WRT 172 Conversations with Contemporaries (CP)  3 SH 
WRT 274 Form and Inspiration (CP)  3 SH 
Writer’s Studio  
WRT 190FY Writer’s Studio FY  3 SH 
WRT 290 Writers’ Studio II  3 SH 
WRT 390 Writer’s Studio III  3 SH 
Required Upper-Level Courses 
LNG 320 Modern English Grammar  3 SH 
WRT 442 Publication Design & Development  3 SH 
WRT 465 Thesis (W3)  3 SH 
Required WRT Electives: Two courses (6 SH) in WRT at 200 level or above.   6 SH 
Creative Writing Option 
Select six courses from the following: WRT 242 Poetry Workshop I, WRT 243 Fiction Workshop I, WRT/THR 244 Playwriting Workshop (CP), WRT 247 Multimedia Writing, WRT 261 Forms of Poetry, WRT 262 Forms of Fiction, WRT 271 Human Interest Writing, WRT 273W Writing Identity, WRT 339 Creative Essay, WRT 342 Poetry Workshop II, WRT 343 Fiction Workshop II, WRT/THR 346 Playwriting Workshop II, WRT 345 Writing Prose Poetry and Flash Fiction.  

Note the following course prerequisites: WRT 342 Poetry Workshop (WRT 242 Poetry Workshop I and WRT 261 Forms of Poetry, pre req. 

WRT 343 Fiction Workshop II (WRT 243 Fiction Workshop I and WRT 262 Forms of Fiction, pre-req.) 

18 SH 
Students must have a 2.5 GPA or higher in the Professional Writing major courses. 


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/ugrad21222021/academic-programs-degrees/ 

Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.  

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.

 

Sample Four Year Plan: BA Professional Writing: Creative Writing Option
Four-year plans are suggestions. Plans change. Consult your advisor to adjust your plan.  

Semester 1  SH  Semester 2  SH 
Mat 100 or Gen Ed: Quantitative Reasoning (QR) 3  WRT 171 Conversations with Predecessors (CP)  3 
WRT 101 Composition I (W1)  3  Gen Ed: WRT 103W Modes of Research (IL, W2) 3 
Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (CT)  3  Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) 3 
WRT 274 Form and Inspiration (CP)  3  LNG 320 Modern English Grammar  3 
WRT 190FY Writers’ Studio (FY) 3  Gen Ed: Scientific Inquiry (SI) 4 
       
Semester 3  SH  Semester 4  SH 
WRT 172 Conversations with Contemporaries (CP) 3  General Elective  3 
General Elective  3  Creative Writing Course OR WRT Elective  3 
Creative Writing Course  3 Gen Ed: Elementary Language 2 (Repeat IC) if not yet met.
OR General Elective
3 
WRT 290 Writers’ Studio II  3  Gen Ed: Health & Wellness (HW)  2 
Gen Ed: Intercultural Competency (IC)
(Elementary Language 1 if language req. not met)
 
3  Gen Ed: Repeat Competency  3 
       
Semester 5    Semester 6   
Gen Ed: Repeat Competency (if not yet filled)
OR General Elective 
3  WRT 442 Publication Design & Development 3 
General Elective 3  Creative Writing Course or WRT Elective 3 
WRT 390 Writers’ Studio III  3  General Elective  3 
WRT 261 Forms of Poetry OR WRT 262 Forms of Fiction
OR Creative Writing Course
3  General Elective  3 
Creative Writing Course 3  General Elective  3 
       
Semester 7    Semester 8   
Creative Writing Course  3  WRT 465 Senior Thesis (CE, W3)  3 
WRT Elective 3  Creative Writing Course 3 
General Elective  3  General Elective  3 
General Elective  3  General Elective  3 
General Elective  3  General Elective  3 
You must earn a 2.5 GPA higher in all Writing Major courses. 
Total Credits Required for the BA in Professional Writing = 120
Minimum GPA in major 2.5. 

*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. However, you must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course. 

 

B.A. in Professional Writing – Journalism & Public Relations Option (18 S.H.)

DescriptionThe 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, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.   

Required Courses in the Major: 51 SH.  

Writing Core  
WRT 171 Conversations with Predecessors (CP)  3 SH 
WRT 172 Conversations with Contemporaries (CP)  3 SH 
WRT 274 Form and Inspiration (CP)  3 SH 
Writer’s Studio  
WRT 190FY Writer’s Studio FY  3 SH 
WRT 290 Writers’ Studio II  3 SH 
WRT 390 Writer’s Studio III  3 SH 
Required Upper-Level Courses 
LNG 320 Modern English Grammar  3 SH 
WRT 442 Publication Design & Development  3 SH 
WRT 465 Thesis (W3)  3 SH 
Required WRT Electives: Two courses (6 SH) in WRT at 200 level or above.   6 SH 
Journalism and Public Relations Option 
WRT 270 News Writing  3 SH 
WRT 340W Public Relations Writing, Concepts and Practice  3 SH 
WRT 373 Editing and Copyediting  3 SH 
Select three courses from the following: WRT  247 Multimedia Writing, WRT 255 Advertising, Copywriting, and Promotion, WRT 271 Human Interest Writing, WRT 279 Sports Writing, JLA/WRT 321W Legal Writing, Research, and Analysis (W2), WRT 335W Fact-Based Opinion Writing, WRT 338 Writing about Specialized Subjects, WRT 375 Book, Performance, and Restaurant Reviewing, WRT 490 Practicum/Internship, COM 230 History of Mass Media, COM 243 Broadcast Writing  9 SH 
Students must have a 2.5 GPA or higher in the Professional Writing major courses. 


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/ugrad21222021/academic-programs-degrees/ 

Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.  

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.

 

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.  

Semester 1  SH  Semester 2  SH 
MAT 100 or Gen Ed: Quantitative Reasoning (QR) 3  WRT 171 Conversations with Predecessors (CP)  3 
WRT 101 Composition I (W1)  3  Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) 3 
WRT 274 Form and Inspiration (CP) 3  Gen Ed: WRT 103W Modes of Research (IL, W2) 3 
Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (CT)  3  LNG 320 Modern English Grammar 3 
WRT 190FY Writers’ Studio (FY)  3  Gen Ed: Scientific Inquiry (SI) 4 
       
Semester 3  SH  Semester 4  SH 
WRT 172 Conversations with Contemporaries (CP)  3  Journalism/PR Option Course 3 
WRT 270 News Writing  3  WRT Elective  3 
WRT 290 Writers’ Studio II  3  General Elective 3 
Gen Ed: Elementary Language 1 (IC) if not yet met.
OR General Elective.
3  Gen Ed: Elementary Language 2 (Repeat IC) if not yet met.
OR General Elective
3
Gen Ed: Health and Wellness (HW) 2 Gen Ed: Repeat Competency (NOTE: COM 230 is a CT Course) 3 
       
Semester 5    Semester 6   
Gen Ed: Repeat Competency (if not yet filled.
NOTE: COM 230 is a CT course) OR General Elective.
3  WRT 340W Public Relations Writing, Concepts, and Practice (W2) 3 
WRT 373 Editing and Copyediting 3  Journalism/PR Option Course 3 
WRT 390 Writers’ Studio III 3  WRT 442 Publication Design & Development 3 
General Elective 3  General Elective  3 
General Elective 3  General Elective  3 
       
Semester 7    Semester 8   
Journalism/PR Option Course 3  WRT 465 Senior Thesis (CE, W3)  3 
WRT Elective 3  Journalism/PR Option Course 3 
General Elective  3  General Elective  3 
General Elective  3  General Elective  3 
General Elective  3  General Elective  3 
You must earn a 2.5 overall or higher in the Writing Major courses. 
Total Credits Required for the BA in Professional Writing = 120
Minimum GPA in major 2.5. 

*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. However, you must still complete at least one Intercultural Competency course. 

 

Minors in Professional Writing

Please consult your advisor for all program requirements.

Minor in Broadcast Journalism (18 S.H.)

Required Communication courses (3 SH):
COM 146: Basic Video Production

Plus two (2) classes 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 (prereq. THR 181)
COM 270: Fundamentals of Radio Broadcasting
COM 442: Communication Law

Required Writing courses (3 SH)
:
WRT 270: News Writing

Plus two (2) classes 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

 

Minor in Creative Writing (18 S.H.)

Required Course (3 SH):
WRT 242: Poetry Workshop I (CP) OR WRT 243: Fiction Workshop I (CP)

Plus any five (5) courses from among the following (15 SH):
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, Concepts and Practices
COM 230: History of Mass Media
COM 243: Broadcast Writing

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.

 

Minor in Journalism (18 S.H.)

Required course (3 SH):
WRT 270:  News Writin

Plus any five (5) courses from among the following (15 SH):
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

 

Minor in Professional Writing (18 S.H.)

Required courses (6 SH):
WRT 210W Managerial Writing (W2)
WRT 245W Technical Writing (W2)

Plus any two (2) of the following Creative Writing courses (6 SH):
WRT 242: Poetry Workshop I (CP)
WRT 243: Fiction Workshop I (CP)
WRT/THR 244: Playwriting Workshop (CP)
WRT 342: Poetry Workshop II
WRT 343: Fiction Workshop II

Plus any two (2) of the following Journalism/Public Relations courses (6 SH):
WRT 255: Advertising, Copywriting, and Promotion
WRT 270:  News Writing
JLA/WRT 321W: Legal Writing, Research, and Analysis (W2)
WRT 338: Writing about Specialized Subjects
WRT 340W:  Public Relations Writing, Concepts and Practices

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.

 

Minor in Sports Media (18 S.H.)

Required Courses (9 SH):
COM 146 Basic Video
WRT 270 News Writing
WRT 279 Sports Writing

Plus any three (3) of the following (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