Courses
Graduate students enrolled in either the MA or PhD program in RPC can count any English department course (including those focused on film, literature, and creative writing) numbered 450 and above for graduate credit as long as it fits into an advisor-approved program of study. If a course is listed as 500/600 level, MA students typically enroll in 500-level sections and PhD students enroll in 600-level sections. All courses are three credit hours and non-repeatable unless otherwise noted.
Graduate course enrollment caps are set at 15 students. Courses are typically seminar- and/
workshop-oriented. All core and most specialized courses are offered on a rotation of at least once every four semesters. Please talk to your advisor early in your program to plan your program of study.
The current semester's offerings can be found here.
- ENGL 478. Document Design
- Advanced study in writing, with an emphasis on the computer as a tool for designing visually informative text. Includes theory and research in document design and the use of page composition and graphics software.
Listing of Graduate Courses
- ENGL 500. Supervised Study 1-3 credits
- To prepare the student for the master's degree examinations by special studies in fields not covered in routine coursework. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
- ENGL 510. Proseminar in Rhetoric and Professional Communication
- Introduction to research in rhetoric and professional communication.
- ENGL 511. Discourse and Theories
- Investigates theories describing how humans use language and considers production, reception, and cultural context. Topics vary. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
- ENGL 512. Graduate Study in Writing in the Workplace
- Study of workplace writing practices, including a focus on research-based, theoretical, and pedagogical approaches to professional communication.
- ENGL 517. Graduate Study in Critical Theory
- Advanced study of one or more major trends in theoretical inquiry within English studies. Some prior study of theory, such as English 301, 302, or 303, strongly recommended. Repeatable under different subtitles.
- ENGL 518. History of Rhetoric
- An investigation of the crucial writings that have shaped Western attitudes towards and practice of rhetoric. Course will examine key texts from the Greeks through the Enlightenment, especially as they have influenced contemporary rhetorical theory.
- ENGL 520. Workshop: Advanced Composition
- Intensive work in composition in a workshop setting.
- ENGL 527. Graduate Study in Film and Digital Media
- Offers close graduate study of a form or genre, a major figure or style, a historical period or movement, or a major theme or text. Topics vary from semester to semester.
- ENGL 531. Technical Editing
- Uses workshops, readings, hands-on projects, and discussion to improve skills in gathering, writing, designing, and editing technical information. For students interested in technical communication as well as students interested in developing strengths in communicating in scientific and technical fields.
- ENGL 536. The Borderlands Writing Project 3-6 credits
- Intensive month-long seminar for practicing teachers and educators designed to improve the teaching of writing and the writing process and literacy and reading in schools and other educational contexts. Reading, discussing, and writing about current professional literature; completing teacher inquiry; and planning action research. Participants complete personal and professional writing, as well as additional professional development activities. By invitation only. Affiliated with the National Writing Project. Consent of instructor required. Crosslisted with: RDG 536
- ENGL 537. Practitioner Inquiry and Literacy Action Research 1-3 credits
- Inquiry concerning literacy practices within specific contexts and the planning, implementing, and assessing projects designed to increase and improve literacy within that context. Instruction includes reading and web-based discussion, bi-monthly seminars, and onsite consultations. Associated with ongoing community outreach by the English Department and the Borderlands Writing Project. Consent of instructor required.
- ENGL 543. Multimedia Theory and Production
- Issues, theories, and production practices underlying design of multimedia, including rhetorical choices, aesthetic approaches, usability concerns, and diverse academic and popular discourses contributing to continued development of digital texts. Same as ENGL 643.
- ENGL 546. Ethics and Ethos in Rhetoric and Professional Communication
- Study of the history, theory, and practice of applied ethics and rhetorical concept of ethos.
- ENGL 547. Graduate Study in Rhetorical Invention
- Various theories and means of invention, including practical applications for the writer. Requirements include independent directed research.
- ENGL 548. Graduate Study in Empirical Research
- Introduction to empirical research methods in composition, professional communication, and rhetoric.
- ENGL 549. Graduate Study in Writing
- Close study of a topic in composition, rhetoric, and/or technical and professional communication. Topics vary. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
- ENGL 550. Graduate Study in Literacy
- Studies in literacy theory and literacy research. Topics may vary. Same as ENGL 650.
- ENGL 551. Practicum in the Grammar of American English
- Studies of formal grammar of the English language in preparation for the teaching of the English language and/or advanced linguistic analysis. Same as ENGL 451.
- ENGL 552. Graduate Study in History of the English Language
- This course examines the history of the English language from its Indo-European origins through its development into an international language. The aim is to describe the English language formally and to trace linguistic change over time. Samples of written English will illustrate various stages in the development of English. Also considered are contemporary social and political issues related to language, including the problem of 'standard English' and the uses of language in advertising, the media, and politics.
- ENGL 555. Graduate Study in Rhetoric of Scientific Literature
- Intensive study of the rhetoric of selected works of scientific literature.
- ENGL 560. Proposal and Grant Writing
- Developing proposals and grants in a workshop setting.
- ENGL 561. Topics in Writing Program Administration
- Explores issues, theories, and research underlying the design of writing programs and the administration of writing centers. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Same as ENGL 661.
- ENGL 562. Interdisciplinary, Client-Based Project Practicum
- Hands-on experience in collaborating within interdisciplinary teams designing projects for organizational clients. Same as ENGL 462.
- ENGL 564. History and Theory of Composition Studies
- Studies in the history and theory of composition as a discipline. Same as ENGL 664.
- ENGL 565. Intercultural Rhetoric and Professional Communication
- Examines rhetorical traditions in intercultural professional, technical, academic, and governmental contexts. Same as ENGL 665.
- ENGL 566. Online Pedagogy for Writing and Professional Communication
- Course explores key issues related to teaching and learning in online environments, with a focus on the teaching of writing and professional communication. Examines digital classroom practices and the theories that inform them and evaluates applicability and relevance of available technologies.
- ENGL 567. Documentary Film Theory and Criticism (3+3P)
- Course offers critical survey of documentary film theory and criticism including considerations of the epistemological assumptions, rhetorical choices, aesthetic approaches, political circumstances of historical and contemporary documentary film.
- ENGL 568. Rhetoric and Cultural Studies
- Explores intersections between rhetoric and cultural studies. Examines theories and practices of texts and discourses in political and cultural contexts. Same as ENGL 668.
- ENGL 570. Graduate Study in Approaches to Composition
- Theory and practice of teaching writing, including classroom practices, definition of standards, and evaluation of student writing. Requirements include independent directed research.
- ENGL 571. Composition Pedagogy and Practicum
- Examines the pedagogical implications of contemporary composition theory and research. Focuses on teaching composition at the college level. Consent of instructor required.
- ENGL 572. Technical-Professional Communication: Theory and Pedagogy
- Topics in teaching business, technical and scientific communication in academic and workplace contexts. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
- ENGL 573. Writing Assessment and Evaluation
- Theory and practice of writing evaluation and program assessment. Examines pedagogical, political, legal, and policy issues involved in assessment. Same as ENGL 473.
- ENGL 578. Topics in Rhetoric and Technology
- Explores intersections between rhetoric and technology, approaches may highlight theory, media production, and/or research. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Same as ENGL 678.
- ENGL 579. Computers and Writing
- Examines how computers change the nature of writing and the teaching of writing.
- ENGL 582. Gender and Popular Culture
- Intensive study of the representations of gender in popular culture. Examines the historical, aesthetic, and cultural contexts of these representation and the various critical and theoretical lenses we use to understand them. Repeatable under different subtitles. Crosslisted with: W S 582
- ENGL 583. Gender and Language
- Overview of current and historical approaches to the critical study of gender and language: how gender theoretically manifests in linguistic, social, cultural, academic, and professional contexts.
- ENGL 585. Preparing a Professional Portfolio
- Students will study the genre of professional portfolios and develop one of their own to showcase work completed during their program of study.
- ENGL 590. Master's Seminar in Rhetoric
- Studies in theories of and issues in rhetoric. Topics may vary from year to year. May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.
- ENGL 597. Internship in Technical and Professional Communication 3-6 credits
- Supervised technical and professional communication in business, industry, government, or the university. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits. Consent of instructor required. Restricted to: Main campus only.
- ENGL 598. Master Essay
- Students electing the master essay option complete revision of a scholarly essay of 25-30 pages, the approximate length of a journal article, and reformulation of this essay to the 7-8 pages appropriate for presentation at a conference. This option also requires research of appropriate publication venues and a final oral defense of the project. A supervising faculty member will approve the selected essay, guide revision, and help students form an examining committee, which consists of at least two members of the graduate English faculty and one member of the graduate faculty from outside the department. Students are encouraged to undertake the Master Essay process in the first half of their third semester of full time graduate work, or soon after completing 18 hours of coursework. This option is the preferred exam option, particularly for those students who intend to pursue Ph.D. study. Consent of instructor required. Restricted to: Main campus only.
- ENGL 599. Master's Thesis 0-88 credits
- Thesis.
- ENGL 600. Doctoral Research 1-88 credits
- Assigns credit for research performed prior to the doctoral comprehensive examination.
- ENGL 601. Qualitative Research
- Theory and practice of designing research studies and of collecting and analyzing data. Emphasis on qualitative methods of research in composition, professional communication, and rhetoric.
- ENGL 602. Quantitative Research
- Theory and practice of designing quantitative research studies and of collecting and analyzing data. Emphasis on quantitative methods of research in composition, professional communication, and rhetoric.
- ENGL 603. Rhetorical Criticism and Methodology
- Theory and practice of designing research studies and of collecting and analyzing data. Emphasis on methods of rhetorical criticism.
- ENGL 610. Proseminar in Rhetoric and Professional Communication
- Introduction to research in rhetoric and professional communication. Required of and limited to students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Rhetoric and Professional Communication.
- ENGL 643. Multimedia Theory and Production
- Issues, theories, and production practices underlying design of multimedia, including rhetorical choices, aesthetic approaches, usability concerns, and diverse academic and popular discourses contributing to continued development of digital texts. Same as ENGL 543.
- ENGL 649. Graduate Study in Writing
- Close study of a topic in composition, rhetoric, and/or technical and profession communication. May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.
- ENGL 650. Graduate Study in Literacy
- Studies in literacy theory and literacy research. Topics may vary. Same as ENGL 550.
- ENGL 661. Topics in Writing Program Administration
- Explores issues, theories, and research underlying writing programs and the administration of writing centers. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Same as ENGL 561.
- ENGL 664. History and Theory of Composition Studies
- Studies in the history and theory of composition as a discipline. Same as ENGL 564.
- ENGL 665. Intercultural Rhetoric and Professional Communication
- Examines rhetorical traditions in intercultural professional, technical, academic, and governmental contexts. Same as ENGL 565.
- ENGL 667. Documentary Film Theory and Criticism (3+3P)
- Course offers critical survey of documentary film theory and criticism including considerations of the epistemological assumptions, rhetorical choices, aesthetic approaches, and political circumstances of historical and contemporary documentary film. Crosslisted with: ENGL 567
- ENGL 668. Rhetoric and Cultural Studies
- Explores intersections between rhetoric and cultural studies. Examines theories and practices of texts and discourses in political and cultural contexts. Same as ENGL 568.
- ENGL 678. Topics in Rhetoric and Technology
- Explores intersections between rhetoric and technology, approaches may highlight theory, media production, and/or research. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Same as ENGL 578.
- ENGL 690. Doctoral Seminar in Rhetoric
- Studies in theories of and issues in rhetoric. Topics may vary from year to year. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credits.
- ENGL 699. Research Practicum
- Designing and conducting individual research projects, for students engaged in dissertation research.
- ENGL 700. Doctoral Dissertation 0-88 credits
- Dissertation.
