WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024 : School of Visual and Performing Arts

Creative and Professional Writing

Dr. Oscar De Los Santos, Chair
delossantoso@wcsu.edu
Higgins Hall 219E, Midtown campus
(203) 837-9044

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

 

Faculty

Dr. Brian Clements Dr. Kelli Custer Prof. Anthony D’Aries
Dr. Oscar De Los Santos Prof. Bonnie Denmark Dr. Edward Hagan
Prof. John Roche

 

Overview

The Department of Creative and Professional Writing offers Bachelor of Arts programs in Writing (including Creative Writing, Business and Technical Writing, and Journalism and Public Relations options), 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 have opportunities to enrich their learning experiences through an Honor Society (Pi Epsilon Pi), 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.

 

Mission of the Department

  1. Engage students in excellent and innovative programs, with emphasis on the writing process; writing as a key to critical thinking; the development of style and voice; attunement to genre, purpose, and audience; and the production of high-quality imaginative, critical, and factual texts.
  2. Lead WCSU in the development of community through writing.
  3. Advise and consult with other departments to foster writing across the curriculum in the General Education sequence.
  4. Play a key role in General Education and thereby prepare students to integrate writing and critical thinking in their chosen fields and to exercise lifelong confidence as writers.
  5. Deliver one-to-one writing instruction to any student who seeks assistance in the Writing Center.
  6. Maintain, enhance, and develop innovative new programs and courses in writing, publishing, and related fields.
  7. Train graduate students to teach writing in the classroom and undergraduate and graduate students to teach writing through service in the Writing Center.
  8. Create synergies among all levels of the department—from first-year writing through the MFA program—and with other departments and offices across the university.
  9. Immerse students in a wealth of , writing events, and learning opportunities in the region.

 

Learning Outcomes—BA Professional Writing

At the successful completion of the program, Writing Majors 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..

 

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.

 

Degree Programs in Writing

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

 

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.

B.A. in Professional Writing – Business and Technical Writing Option (51 S.H)

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, 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 190 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) 3 SH
Select four courses from the following: WRT 246 Science Writing (W2), WRT 247 Multimedia Writing, WRT 255 Advertising, Copywriting, and Promotion, WRT 270 Newswriting, WRT 321W Legal Writing, Research, and Analysis (W2), WRT 340W Public Relations Writing, Concepts, and Practices (W2), WRT 490 Practicum/Internship 12 SH
Minimum GPA in major 2.5.


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 General Education requirements, which  are indicated in the parentheses after the course titles. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2021/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.


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, Rpt. 1) 3
WRT 101 Composition I (W1) 3 WRT 103W Comp. II: Res & Writing  (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 190 Writers’ Studio (FY) 3 Gen Ed: Scientific Inquiry (SI) 4
Semester 3 SH Semester 4 SH
WRT 172 Conversations with Contemporaries (CP) 3 Free Elective 3
WRT 210W Managerial Writing (W2) 3 WRT 245W Technical Writing (W2) 3
WRT 290 Writers’ Studio II 3 Free Elective 3
Gen Ed: Intercultural Competency (IC) 3 Gen Ed: Intercultural Competency (IC, Rpt. 2) 2
Gen Ed: Health and Wellness (HW) 2 Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 3
Semester 5 Semester 6
Free Elective 3 WRT Elective 1 3
WRT 390 Writers’ Studio III 3 Business and Tech Writing Elective 2 3
Free Elective 3 WRT 442 Publication Design & Development 3
Business and Tech Writing Elective 1 3 Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3 Free Elective 3
Semester 7 Semester 8
Business and Tech Writing Elective 3 3 WRT 465 Senior Thesis (CE, W3) 3
WRT Elective 2 3 Business and Tech Elective 4 3
Free Electives 9 Free Electives 9
You must earn a 2.5 overall GPA or higher in 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 (51 S.H.)

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, 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 190 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 244W Playwriting Workshop (CP), WRT 247 Multimedia Writing, WRT 261 Forms of Poetry, WRT 262 Forms of Fiction, WRT 271 Human Interest Writing, WRT 339 Creative Essay, WRT 342 Poetry Workshop II, WRT 343 Fiction Workshop II, WRT 346 Playwriting Workshop II, WRT 345 Writing Prose Poetry and Flash Fiction, WRT 373 Editing & Copyediting.

Note the following course prerequisites:

Prerequisites for WRT 342 Poetry Workshop II are WRT 242 Poetry Workshop I and WRT 261 Forms of Poetry.

Prerequisites for WRT 343 Fiction Workshop II are WRT 243 Fiction Workshop I and WRT 262 Forms of Fiction.

18 SH
Minimum GPA in major 2.5.

 

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 General Education requirements, which  are indicated in the parentheses after the course titles. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2021/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.


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, Rpt. 1) 3
WRT 101 Composition I (W1) 3 WRT 103W Comp. II: Res & Writing (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 190 Writers’ Studio (FY) 3 Gen Ed: Scientific Inquiry (SI) 4
Semester 3 SH Semester 4 SH
WRT 172 Conversations with Contemporaries (CP) 3 Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3 Creative Writing Elective 2 3
Creative Writing Elective 1 3 Gen Ed: Intercultural Competency (IC, Rpt. 2) 3
WRT 290 Writers’ Studio II 3 Gen Ed: Health & Wellness (HW) 2
Gen Ed: Intercultural Competency (IC) 3 Gen Ed: Repeat Competency 3
Semester 5 Semester 6
Gen Ed: Breadth 3 WRT 442 Publication Design & Development 3
Free Elective 3 Creative Writing Elective 4 3
WRT 390 Writers’ Studio III 3 Free Elective 3
WRT Elective 1 3 Free Elective 3
Creative Writing Elective 3 3 Free Elective 3
Semester 7 Semester 8
Creative Writing Elective 5 3 WRT 465 Senior Thesis (CE, W3) 3
WRT Elective 2 3 Creative Writing Course 3
Free Electives 9 Free Electives 9
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 (51 S.H.)

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, 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 190 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 (W2), 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
Minimum GPA in major 2.5.

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 General Education requirements, which  are indicated in the parentheses after the course titles. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2021/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.


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, Rpt. 1) 3
WRT 101 Composition I (W1) 3 Gen Ed: Oral Communication (OC) 3
WRT 274 Form and Inspiration (CP) 3 WRT 103W Comp II: Res & Writing (IL, W2) 3
Gen Ed: Critical Thinking (CT) 3 LNG 320 Modern English Grammar 3
WRT 190 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 Elective 1 3
WRT 270 News Writing 3 WRT Elective 1 3
WRT 290 Writers’ Studio II 3 Free Elective 3
Gen Ed: Intercultural Competency (IC) 3 Gen Ed: Intercultural Competency (IC, Rpt. 2) 3
Gen Ed: Health and Wellness (HW) 2 Gen Ed: Repeat Competency (Rpt. 3) 3
Semester 5 Semester 6
Gen Ed: Breadth 3 WRT 340W Public Relations Writing, Concepts, and Practice (W2) 3
WRT 373 Editing and Copyediting 3 Journalism/PR Elective 2 3
WRT 390 Writers’ Studio III 3 WRT 442 Publications Design & Development 3
Free Elective 3 Free Elective 3
Free Elective 3 Free Elective 3
Semester 7 Semester 8
Journalism/PR Elective 3 3 WRT 465 Senior Thesis (CE, W3) 3
WRT Elective 2 3 Free Electives 12
Free Electives 9
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

Minor in Broadcast Journalism (18 S.H.)

Required Communication course (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
COM 270 Fundamentals of Radio Broadcasting
COM 442 Communication Law

Required Writing course (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 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.

 

Minor in Journalism (18 S.H.)

Required course (3 SH):
WRT 270 News Writing

Plus any five (5) courses from among the following (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

 

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 247 Multimedia Writing
WRT 345 Writing Prose Poetry & Flash Fiction
WRT 349 Creative Essay

Plus any 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 (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 three (3) courses selected from 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