Writing Studies Major

Owned by Laura Lehman (Deactivated)
Last updated: Dec 16, 2021

Advisor: Chad Gusler
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Semester Hours: 36

The writing studies major involves the study of writing in various creative genres, writing for particular professions, English grammar, English literature, and practical experience in peer teaching, publishing, and internship settings. Students will study with faculty members who are published writers and will have further opportunities to interact with visiting writers through workshops and summer retreats.

The writing studies major is by intention small and flexible. Majors are encouraged to double major or minor in their other areas of interest. Simultaneous study will allow writers to broaden their knowledge bases by exploring other subjects in depth. Students will be more informed as writers and, in turn, will be able to use their writing and rhetorical skills to contribute easily to the discourse of other fields.

Writing studies at EMU will prepare students for careers in editing, publishing, journalism, and technical writing. Those who wish to pursue studies in creative writing will produce portfolios of work suitable for graduate school application. In addition, writing studies graduates will have strong and flexible communication skills, enhancing their desirability as employees in any field they may wish to pursue.

Majors are expected to attend all Writers Read events and participate in year-end readings.

Writing Courses (12 SH)

  • WRIT 200 Introduction to Creative Writing - 3 
  • LING 250 Introduction to Linguistics  OR LING 260 Grammars of English - 3 
  • WRIT 210 News and Feature Writing - 3  OR *WRIT 380 , 381 , 383 Professional Writing Series (1 each) - 3 total 
  • WRIT 400 Senior Thesis - 3 

Creative Workshops (12 SH)
Choose four of the following courses:

  • *WRIT 351 Fiction Writing Workshop - 3 
  • *WRIT 352 Creative Nonfiction Workshop - 3 
  • *WRIT 370 Poetry Workshop - 3 
  • *WRIT 421 Advanced Fiction Workshop - 3 
  • *WRIT 422 Advanced Creative Nonfiction Workshop - 3 
  • *WRIT 423 Advanced Poetry Workshop - 3 

Literature Course (3 SH)
Choose from 300-level ENGL courses and SPAN 301, 420, and 430.

Writing Practicum (3 SH)
 Choose 3 SH from the following courses:

  • WRIT 391 Editing and Publishing: Weather Vane - 1-3 
  • LARTS 390-391 Peer Tutoring - 1-3 
  • WRIT 390 Phoenix - 1-3 
  • WRIT 470 Internship - 1-3 

Electives (6 SH)
Choose 6 SH from the following courses (Note that some courses have prerequisites):

  • Additional WRIT or LING courses not taken above
  • ENGL courses 300-level or above
  • HUM 200 Foundations of Humanities - 2 
  • LARTS 390-391 Peer Tutoring - 1-3 
  • *SPAN 301 The Art of Storytelling - 3 
  • *SPAN 320 Constructing Identities - 3 
  • *SPAN 325 The Latino Experience - 3 
  • *SPAN 340 Intro to Translation and Interpretation - 3 
  • *SPAN 420 Narratives of Trauma and Resilience - 3 
  • *SPAN 430 Marginalized Voices - 3 
  • THR 360 Playwriting - 2 
  • *THR 361 Screenwriting - 2 
  • VACA 367 Hybrid Storytelling - 4 
  • *VACA 465 Visual Storytelling: Nonfiction - 4 
  • *VACA 466 Visual Storytelling: Fiction - 4