This minor provides students with opportunities to learn and apply advanced strategies for writing academic, professional, and civic documents. Students examine the theoretical, interdisciplinary, and professional aspects of writing and develop their expository, persuasive, organizational, and stylistic skills through close analysis of rhetorical situations and the features and approaches of successful writing. The strong communication and analytical skills developed while earning this minor contribute to student success in a wide variety of professional careers as well as graduate education.
The minor is a valuable asset for students interested in working in media organizations, trade and professional associations, and non-profit organizations related to the arts, schools, and social change. It is also beneficial to students interested in careers in business, science, engineering, accounting, and many others that demand strong writing and communication skills for promotion and advancement.
Policies
Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and students must complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.
Minor Requirements
Total credits: 15
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGH 380 | Introduction to Writing and Rhetoric | 3 |
| ENGH 382 | Writing Nonfiction Genres | 3 |
| or ENGH 388 | Professional and Technical Writing | |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Students must take 3 electives: either 3 ENGH courses, or 2 ENGH courses and 1 elective from outside the department. | 9 | |
| English Courses | ||
| Web Authoring and Design | ||
| Rhetoric and New Media | ||
| Writing Nonfiction Genres | ||
| Editing for Audience, Style, and Voice | ||
| Professional and Technical Writing | ||
| Forms of Nonfiction | ||
| Creative Nonfiction Writing | ||
| Internship | ||
| Technical Editing | ||
| RS: Writing Ethnography (Mason Core) | ||
| Document Design | ||
| RS: Writing Nonfiction for Publication (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Writing and Rhetoric | ||
| Proposal Writing and Development | ||
| Interdisciplinary Courses | ||
| Introduction to Grant Writing | ||
| Writing for Artists | ||
| Writing across the Media | ||
| Business and Professional Communication | ||
| News Writing and Reporting | ||
| News Editing: Print and Beyond | ||
| Video: Performance and Writing | ||
| Writing for Public Relations | ||
| RS: Story Design for Computer Games | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Science Writing | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |