Academic Programs Catalog

College of Arts and Letters

Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures

Danielle De Voss, Chairperson

The Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures offers programs that share core understandings about writing, namely that it is embedded in cultures, involves purposeful rhetorical action, is multimodal, and in the 21st century occurs in digital environments.

The First-Year Writing Program provides courses that facilitate students’ successful transition to writing in higher education and beyond.  Its 100-level courses fulfill the university’s Tier I Writing requirement.

The professional and public writing major leads to a Bachelor of Arts that prepares students for careers as professional editors and publishers, technical writers, information developers, and web authors as well as for graduate study.

The graduate program offers a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Rhetoric and Writing.


Undergraduate Programs


Professional and Public Writing

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional and Public Writing is for students wishing to specialize in writing as an area of expertise. Students develop advanced writing strategies and skills with emphasis on rhetorical approaches and practices such as writing anchored to audience, context, purpose; writing attentive to community and cultural dynamics; and writing in consideration of public and professional trends and contexts. Students write in digital spaces including web pages, social media, and content-management systems; write for and in diverse public and disciplinary communities and audiences; and edit and publish in a variety of public and professional contexts. The major prepares students for careers in professional editing and publishing, technical writing, information development, communications management, communications strategy, content management, and web authoring. It also prepares students for graduate work in rhetoric, writing, public and community writing, technical writing, the teaching of writing, and the study of culture.

Students who elect the Professional and Public Writing major should contact the Associate Chair and Director of Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures. Students should work closely with the department academic advisor, the program director, and with program faculty to shape a focus or theme in the major that fits their career interests and plans. Internships, management of writing projects, and development of a professional portfolio are all important aspects of student preparation for work in writing-related professions, in public or private settings such as nonprofits, small, and large corporations, or in graduate study.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Professional and Public Writing

  1. The University requirements for bachelor’s degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional and Public Writing.
    The University’s Tier II writing requirement for the Professional and Public Writing major is met by completing one of the following courses: Writing, Rhetoric and Cultures 320, 331, or 370. Those courses are referenced in items 3. below.
  2. The requirements of the College of Arts and Letters for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. All of the following courses (16 credits):
    WRA 202 Introduction to Professional and Public Writing 3
    WRA 260 Rhetoric, Persuasion, and Culture 3
    WRA 325 Writing and Multimodality 3
    WRA 360 Visual Rhetoric 4
    WRA 455 Portfolio Seminar 3
    b. Completion of a set of courses oriented toward a theme in the major (12 to 15 credits minimum). Students may obtain a list of example themes and courses from the program academic advisor. Themes vary and are determined in consultation with the program’s academic advisor.
    c. Completion of elective courses meant to complement and extend the student’s chosen theme. An internship for credit is strongly recommended in the major. Courses used to fulfill requirement b. above may not be used to fulfill this elective requirement (3 to 6 credits):
    WRA 210 Introduction to Web Authoring 3
    WRA 211 Documentary History and Theory 3
    WRA 214 Social Media and the Start-up 3
    WRA 225 Introduction to Composing for Digital Video 3
    WRA 290 Independent Study 3
    WRA 291 Special Topics 3
    WRA 308 Invention in Writing 3
    WRA 311 Introduction to Documentary Production 3
    WRA 320 Technical Communication (W) 3
    WRA 330 Writing Research in Communities and Cultures 3
    WRA 331 Writing in the Public Interest (W) 3
    WRA 345 Topics in Writing 3
    WRA 350 Sound Writing and Rhetoric 3
    WRA 355 Writing for Publication Workshop 3
    WRA 370 Introduction to Grammar and Editing (W) 3
    WRA 395 Writing Center Theory and Practice 3
    WRA 401 Rhetoric, Leadership, and Innovation 3
    WRA 410 Advanced Web Authoring 3
    WRA 411 Collaborative Documentary Design and Production (W) 3
    WRA 415 Digital Rhetoric 3
    WRA 420 Content Strategy 3
    WRA 441 Social Justice as Rhetorical Practice 3
    WRA 453 Grant and Proposal Writing 3
    WRA 471 Rhetoric of Grammar 3
    WRA 480 Publication Management 3
    WRA 482 Information and Interaction Design 3
    WRA 483 Community Publishing 3
    WRA 484 Ethics in Writing 3
    WRA 490 Independent Study 1 to 6
    WRA 491 Special Topics 3
    WRA 493 Internship in Professional or Public Writing 1 to 4
    WRA 499 International Research in Professional or Public Writing 3 to 6
    One or two writing or design courses from outside WRA may be used with approval of the student’s academic advisor. 


Minor in Writing

The Minor in Writing, administered by the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures, engages students in rhetorical analysis, community-based research, and writing strategies. This knowledge and skill base may be used to complement majors in a wide range of fields. The minor is intended for students who wish to develop as writers beyond what is offered in Tier I or Tier II and who recognize the value of writing for their majors, fields, and communities. Students are invited to work with the department academic advisor and with the program director to select courses in the minor and connect the minor to their degree programs.

The minor is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs at Michigan State University except those in the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Professional and Public Writing. With the approval of the department and college that administer the student’s degree program, the courses that are used to satisfy the requirements for the minor may also be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree.

Students who plan to complete the requirements of the minor should consult an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures.

Requirements for the Minor in Writing

Complete a minimum of 15 credits from the following:

1. Both of the following courses (6 credits):
WRA 202 Introduction to Professional and Public Writing 3
WRA 330 Writing Research in Communities and Cultures 3
2. One of the following courses (3 credits):
WRA 325 Writing and Multimodality 3
WRA 415 Digital Rhetoric 3
3. One of the following courses (3 credits):
WRA 331 Writing in the Public Interest (W) 3
WRA 333 Writing in Corporate Contexts 3
WRA 335 Writing in Scientific Contexts 3
WRA 337 Writing and Public Policy 3
4. Complete 3 to 6 credits of electives in WRA or XA at the 200-level or higher as approved by the student’s academic advisor.



 

Graduate Study


Rhetoric and Writing - Master of Arts

The Master of Arts Degree in Rhetoric and Writing is an innovative, flexible degree program focused on educating the next generation of humanities leaders and thinkers who will engage their work in both academic and professional contexts. The degree serves both as a professional degree for students interested in technical and professional writing and a career track in industry, nonprofits, or in non-faculty roles in educational institutions, and as a preparatory degree for doctoral work in rhetoric, writing and composition studies, communication studies, or technical communication.

The program provides students with a theoretically grounded yet practical experience in rhetoric and writing, and offers concentration areas for students to select from: Professional Writing and Technical Communication, Composition Studies and Writing Pedagogy, Digital Rhetorics, Cultural Rhetorics, and Custom Emphasis.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts degree in Rhetoric and Writing an applicant must:

  1. Include in the letter required by the college, a statement that addresses the applicant’s goals in pursuing the degree.
  2. Submit two writing samples demonstrating your ability to engage in graduate-level study.
  3. Three letters of reference.
To be admitted to the program on regular status, an applicant must have a baccalaureate degree in humanities, writing, communications or a related field and have a minimum grade-point average of 3.25.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and the College of Arts and Letters, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Rhetoric and Writing

The program is available under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). A total of 30 credits, of which no more than 12 credits at the 400-level, is required for the degree. The student’s program of study must be approved by the program director. The student must meet the requirements specified below:
Requirements for Both Plan A and Plan B:
1. All of the following courses (9 credits):
WRA 801 Introduction to Rhetoric and Writing 3
WRA 810 Writing, Composing, Designing, Making 3
WRA 880 Theories of Rhetoric and Writing 3
2. One of the following concentrations (21 credits):
Professional Writing and Technical Communication
1. All of the following courses (12 credits): 3
WRA 420 Content Strategy 3
WRA 453 Grant and Proposal Writing
Or 3
WRA 483 Community Publishing 3
WRA 841 Professional Writing Theory and Research 3
WRA 893B Internship in Professional Writing
2. Complete a minimum of 9 additional credits selected in consultation with the program director.
Composition Studies and Writing Pedagogy
1. All of the following courses (12 credits):
WRA 870 Research Methodologies in Rhetoric and Writing 3
WRA 878 Composition Studies: Issues, Theory and Research 3
WRA 888 Methods in the Teaching of College-Level Writing 3
WRA 891 Special Topics in Rhetoric and Writing 3
Or
WRA 889 Writing Center Theory and Administration 3
2. Complete a minimum of 9 additional credits selected in consultation with the program director.
Digital Rhetorics
1. All of the following courses (9 credits):
WRA 415 Digital Rhetoric 3
WRA 841 Professional Writing Theory and Research 3
WRA 860 Multimodal Composing Theory and Practice 3
2. Complete a minimum of 12 additional credits selected in consultation with the program director.
Cultural Rhetorics
1. All of the following courses (12 credits):
WRA 882 Contemporary Theories of Rhetoric 3
WRA 848 Cultural Rhetorics Theory and Methodology 3
WRA 891 Special Topics in Rhetoric and Writing 6
WRA 891 should be completed in two different offerings. 
WRA 882 may not be double-counted in the core requirement.
2. Complete a minimum of 9 additional credits selected in consultation with the program director.
Custom Emphasis
Students will complete 21 credits determined in consultation with the student’s advisor.
Elective Courses Available for Concentrations
WRA 401 Rhetoric, Leadership, and Innovation   3
WRA  410 Advanced Web Authoring 3
WRA  415 Digital Rhetoric  3
WRA  420 Content Strategy        3
WRA  441 Social Justice as Rhetorical Practice  3
WRA  453 Grant and Proposal Writing  3
WRA  455 Portfolio Seminar    3
WRA  471 Rhetoric of Grammar    3
WRA  480 Publication Management    3
WRA  482 Information and Interaction Design    3
WRA  483 Community Publishing  3
WRA  484 Ethics in Writing  3
WRA  491 Special Topics  3
WRA  495 Advanced Studies in Writing and Tutoring Pedagogy    1
WRA  805 Rhetoric Theory and History   3
WRA 828 Queer Rhetorics 3
WRA  841 Professional Writing Theory and Research   3
WRA 842 Foundations in Experience Architecture 3
WRA  848 Cultural Rhetorics Theory and Methodology 3
WRA  853 Workshop in Rhetoric and Writing  3
WRA  860 Multimodal Composing Theory and Practice 3
WRA  870 Research Methodologies in Rhetoric and Writing     3
WRA  872 Methods of Research in Rhetoric and Writing  3
WRA  878 Composition Studies: Issues, Theory, and Research  3
WRA  882 Contemporary Theories of Rhetoric      3
WRA  888 Methods in the Teaching of College-Level Writing    3
WRA  889 Writing Center Theory and Administration 3
WRA  891 Special Topics in Rhetoric and Writing 3
WRA  893B  Internship in Professional Writing 3
WRA  893D  Internship in Literacy and Pedagogy 3
WRA  992 Seminar in Literacy Studies  3
Additional 400- or 800-level course work outside the department may be available with approval of the advisory committee and the Director of Graduate Studies.
Additional Requirements for Plan A
1. Complete 4 to 6 credits of WRA 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
These credits will count towards the credits for the concentration.
2. Pass a final oral certifying examination in defense of the thesis and course work.
Additional Requirements for Plan B
1. Complete an additional 3 to 6 credits of course work from the list of electives above. These credits will count towards the credits for the concentration.
2. Pass a final certifying examination on the course work or complete a final portfolio and pass a final oral examination on the portfolio.


 

Rhetoric and Writing - Doctor of Philosophy

The doctoral degree in Rhetoric and Writing prepares students to conduct research and teach courses in writing studies, digital rhetoric, experience architecture, and technical and professional communication. Students learn to do this work by engaging with scholarship, learning with faculty, collaborating on research teams, producing multimodal content for organizations, understanding people-focused experiences, teaching in our programs, and working with local and global communities. Through these experiences, students examine issues of accessibility, ethics, literacy, and storytelling through writing, composing, and making. Central to this work is applying and developing theories and methodologies to be a positive force for structural change, growth, and innovation with an emphasis on culture, context, and access.

This degree prepares students to lead in various workplaces, including academia, civic, corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations. Our students go on to administer programs in academia, conduct user experience research for organizations, design products and services in industry, manage international projects, publish in academic and trade journals, and research and teach in higher education contexts.

Admission

To be considered for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Rhetoric and Writing an applicant must:

  1. Specify the concentration the applicant wishes to pursue.
  2. Include in the letter required by the college, a statement of purpose and a statement of instruction philosophy.
  3. Submit two writing samples (major research paper, summary of master’s thesis, or digital documents).

To be admitted to the program on regular status, an applicant must have a master’s degree or the equivalent, a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 in graduate-level courses, and at least three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s ability to pursue advanced graduate study.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and the College of Arts and Letters, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Rhetoric and Writing

The student must:

1. Complete a minimum of 27 credits of graduate course work. No more than 6 credits of 400-level course work will count toward the degree.
2. All of the following core courses (12 credits):
WRA 801 Introduction to Rhetoric and Writing 3
WRA 810 Writing, Composing, Designing, Making 3
WRA 870 Research Methodologies in Rhetoric and Writing 3
WRA 880 Theories of Rhetoric and Writing 3
For students who already hold an Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing from our program, alternative arrangements will be made with regards to their core course requirements. Alternatives can include independent studies or fulfilling the requirement by taking other courses offered in the program with the approval of the Director.
3. Concentrations.
Complete at least three courses, a minimum of 9 credits, in one of the following concentrations:  Cultures, Identities, and Communities; Leadership and Administration, Writing Pedagogy and Learning; or Technical and Professional Communication. A list of courses eligible for each concentration is available from the program director. Courses used to fulfill core requirements may not be used to satisfy concentration requirements. Other concentrations may be approved the student’s guidance committee.
4. Pass a written comprehensive examination on the core courses and the area of concentration.
5. Pass a pre-dissertation examination consisting of an oral examination based on a written prospectus and a preliminary bibliography for the dissertation project.
6. Pass a final oral examination in defense of the dissertation.

Academic Standards

A student must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5 in all graduate courses.

A student may count toward the degree only those courses in which the student has received a grade of 3.0 or higher.

A student may accumulate no more than 6 credits with a grade below 3.0 in rhetoric and writing courses taken for the purpose of satisfying the degree requirements.

A student who fails the comprehensive examinations, the pre-dissertation examination, or the final oral examination in defense of the dissertation, may repeat that examination only once, during the following semester.