WRD 595 INDEPENDENT STUDY may also be taken as an elective in the program.
Up to 2 non-WRD courses may be taken upon approval by the Graduate Committee.
WRD 500
PROSEMINAR
An introduction to the intellectual/scholarly traditions of writing studies, rhetorical theory, and discourse. Students learn different theoretical perspectives as well as the field's lexical-conceptual vocabulary, providing a gateway to the field and the program's concentration areas.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse student is a prerequisite for this class.WRD 599
PORTFOLIO
A capstone seminar course in which students select, revise, and write supplementary documentation for a collection of their work appropriate to a job search in their area of concentration or for doctoral program application.
WRD 503
ANCIENT RHETORICS (FORMERLY ENG 403)
A survey of rhetorical theory from ancient Greece and Rome and as well as various Eastern traditions. The course examines important definitions and discussions of rhetoric from Plato to Augustine, with attention to their implications for an understanding of the roles of rhetoric and writing in modern society. Formerly ENG 403.
WRD 504
RENAISSANCE AND 18TH CENTURY RHETORICS (FORMERLY ENG 404)
A survey of developments in rhetoric from the 16th through the 18th centuries. Includes consideration of the vernacular rhetorics of the English Renaissance and analysis of connections between logic, rhetoric and literary criticism in the 18th century, with attention to implications for contemporary studies of language and writing. Formerly ENG 404.
WRD 505
CONTEMPORARY RHETORICS (FORMERLY ENG 405)
A survey of theories and practices in 19th- and 20th-century rhetoric. Examines psychological, social and philosophical roots of contemporary rhetorics and the influence of scientific and literary studies on theories of discourse. Formerly ENG 405.
WRD 506
MULTICULTURAL RHETORICS (FORMERLY ENG 406)
An introduction to written rhetoric and culture. Explores competing conceptions of culture and meanings of literacy, particularly as they relate to American literacy education. Formerly ENG 406.
WRD 507
GLOBAL ENGLISHES
Explores the role and nature of the English language in a global context, focusing on the historical context and cultural legacy of the spread of English, global varieties of English, uses and contexts of English, issues of ownership and identity, and writing and language instruction. Course content draws upon theoretical models of World Englishes, scholarly debates, descriptions of spoken and written English around the world, and artifacts of global Englishes.
WRD 508
DISCOURSE AND STYLE
Explores discourse theory and practice in examining features of style, including linguistic and rhetorical perspectives.
WRD 509
GENRE THEORY AND PRACTICE
An overview of the study of non-literary genres, focusing on contemporary theories and practices of genre and genre learning. Students become familiar with various disciplinary perspectives on genre theory, methods for analyzing non-literary genres, and pedagogical approaches to teaching genre in the writing classroom. Explores genres from textual, social, and critical perspectives, considering how genres within social and institutional contexts such as the academy, the workplace, and the public sphere.
WRD 510
TOPICS IN RHETORICAL HISTORY
Explores topics in rhetorical history. Topics vary.
WRD 511
TOPICS IN COMMUNITY, CULTURE AND IDENTITY
Explores topics related to community, culture, and identity from the perspectives of rhetoric and discourse. Topics vary.
WRD 512
TOPICS IN LANGUAGE
Explores topics related to language and its intersections with rhetoric and discourse. Topics vary.
WRD 513
SEMIOTICS
An introduction to semiotics, or the study of 'the sign' ? a theory of meaning that is concerned with anything intended to or interpreted to stand for something else, including objects, pictures, sounds, gestures, and body language. The course examines the construction of meaning in manifold contexts, extending the notion of 'text' beyond the written page to any artifact that functions as a 'message' embodied in a genre and a medium.
WRD 514
SOCIOLINGUISTICS
An introduction to the study of language in social contexts. Explores the principles of language variation and change within social contexts.
WRD 515
THE ESSAY
Explores the history of the essay as genre from the Renaissance to the present, compares and contrasts literary essays with those written in most school settings, and offers students the opportunity to write their own extended essays on personal and professional topics.
WRD 595
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Independent study guided by a faculty member.
WRD 520
COMPUTERS AND WRITING
Explores the cultural, institutional, professional, and pedagogical implications of digital writing technology, drawing upon theories of technology as well discussions from the field of computers and composition.
WRD 521
TECHNICAL WRITING
An introduction to various aspects of technical writing, including readability, document design, editing and usability. Formerly ENG 495.
WRD 522
WRITING IN THE PROFESSIONS (CROSS-LISTED AS MLS 459 AND MPS 508)
Improves writing skills useful in semitechnical and nontechnical professions; emphasis on style, tone, awareness of purpose and audience; effective memo, proposal and report design. Formerly ENG 494.
WRD 523
EDITING
An introduction to editing principles and practices in professional and technical fields.
WRD 524
DOCUMENT DESIGN
Theories, concepts, and components of effective document design, including the interrelation of visual displays and written texts across a range of electronic and print genres. Formerly ENG 486.
WRD 525
WRITING FOR THE WEB
An introduction to various genres of web-based communication and the roles played by writers, readers, and users of web sites. Includes analysis, design, and revision of web-based writing as well as practice producing written documents which accompany the development of web information.
WRD 526
GRANT AND REPORT WRITING
An introduction to the purpose and structure of these common workplace genres through analysis of successful documents and guided practice in producing their own.
WRD 530
TOPICS IN PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL WRITING
Explores topics in professional and technical writing. Topics vary.
WRD 590
INTERNSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL WRITING
Internship in professional and/or technical writing.
WRD 540
TEACHING WRITING
Introduction to teaching composition at the secondary and college undergraduate levels. The course helps students develop methods of teaching composition based on modern theories of rhetoric, reading and language acquisition. Formerly ENG 480.
WRD 541
COMPOSITION THEORY
Explores the development of contemporary theories of written composition; focuses on contexts for writing, the writing process, and reader-writer relationships. Formerly ENG 483.
WRD 542
URBAN LITERACIES
Explores the multiple definitions of literacy with a special emphasis on adult literacy in an urban environment. Students examine the relationship between theory and practice, reading about theories of literacy from psychology, cognitive science, education, composition & rhetoric and linguistics while engaging in literacy tutoring at Chicago-area literacy sites.
WRD 543
TEACHING ESL WRITING
Provides an overview of the theory and practice of writing in a second language. Examines distinctions between first and second language writing and major issues and dilemmas within the field, including composing processes, error correction and feedback, contrastive rhetoric, culture, course design, plagiarism, and U.S. composition classrooms.
WRD 544
TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND OR FOREIGN LANGUAGE
A survey course in the teaching and learning of English as a Second Language (ESL). Familiarizes students with theoretical foundations and basic principles of second language learning and teaching, the components of the major language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing), and the social and political dimensions of teaching and learning ESL.
WRD 545
TEACHING WRITING ONLINE
Explores the teaching of writing in online-supported distance-learning. Introduces students to challenges and best practices and techniques for specific technologies.
WRD 546
PEDAGOGICAL GRAMMAR
An introduction to grammar instruction for language and writing classrooms. Introduces students to current research in grammar instruction and applies that research to develop strategies for the instruction of a range of aspects of English grammar, with an emphasis on rhetoric and context.
WRD 547
AP INSTITUTE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION
A workshop designed to help Advanced Placement teachers prepare their students for the AP exam in English Language and Composition and for the demands of college writing. The institute is a week-long, full-day intensive workshop that covers teaching, reading, writing, style, assessment, and argumentation in accelerated high school classes. This course is offered in the summer only.
WRD 582
WRITING CENTER THEORY AND PEDAGOGY (CROSS-LISTED AS WRD 395)
Introduction to current theories and practices in writing instruction; prepares students to develop and administer writing centers and to work as writing consultants. (Writing Center practicum required.)
WRD 550
TOPICS IN TEACHING WRITING AND LANGUAGE
Explores topics related to teaching writing and language. Topics vary.
WRD 551
TEACHING APPRENTICESHIP PRACTICUM
Ongoing support in instructional practice to include grading and responding to student work; facilitating in-class activities such as discussion and peer workshopping; student-teacher conferencing; classroom management; and related topics. Available only to MA in WRD students admitted to the Teaching Apprenticeship Program.
WRD 591
INTERNSHIP IN TEACHING WRITING AND LANGUAGE
Internship in teaching writing and/or language.