Back to Allan K. Smith Center for Writing and Rhetoric

Minor Requirements

We are excited to offer a new Disciplinary Minor in Rhetoric, Writing, and Media Studies to all students beginning in Fall 2022. The current Interdisciplinary Minor will be phased out and is only available to students graduating prior to 2025. Those currently enrolled in the Interdisciplinary Minor may choose to complete the Disciplinary Minor.

The Rhetoric, Writing, and Media Studies Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary minors offer students the opportunity to develop expertise in writing for academic, professional, community, civic, and personal purposes. Core courses provide opportunities for writing in a range of genres and strive to investigate rhetoric, information technology, the politics of language, and identity.

 

Rhetoric, Writing, and Media Studies Disciplinary Minor

The Rhetoric, Writing, and Media Studies minor offers students the opportunity to develop expertise in writing for academic, professional, community, civic, and personal purposes. Courses provide opportunities for writing in a range of genres and strive to investigate rhetoric, information technology, the politics of language, and identity. Students will explore social, cultural, and field-specific topics in language, persuasion, and multimedia modes of communication.

The six credit minor requires six RHET courses. Students must earn a minimum of C- in any given course to receive credit for the minor.

Course Requirements

Six RHET Courses:

  • No more than two RHET courses at the 100 level
  • At least two RHET courses at the 300 level

100-level Core Courses:

RHET 103 College Writing

RHET 125  Writing for a Digital World

RHET 128  Writing and Mindfulness

RHET 145  Autobiography and Activism

200-level Core Courses:

RHET 202  Writing in the Disciplines

RHET 208  Argument and Research Writing

RHET 216  Writing the Personal Essay

RHET 225  Rhetoric of Broad Street

RHET 226  Writing about Places

RHET 230  Visual Rhetorics

RHET 260  What is Rhetoric and Composition?

300-Level Core Courses:

RHET  300   The Art of the Essay

RHET    302   Writing Theories and Practices

RHET    315   Writing in the Public Sphere: Theory and Practice

RHET 320  Queer Rhetorics

RHET 330  Macho Rhetorics

RHET 340  Rhetorics of the Body and Activism

RHET 360  Rhetorics of Law and Violence

400-level Core Courses:

RHET 406  Composition Pedagogy

RHET 410  History of Rhetoric: The Modern Reception of Ancient Rhetorics

 

Rhetoric, Writing, and Media Studies Interdisciplinary Minor

The six credit Interdisciplinary minor requires three core courses, two elective courses, and a capstone project. Elective courses explore social, cultural, and field-specific topics in language, persuasion, and multimedia modes of communication. Students must earn a minimum of C- in any given course to receive credit for the minor. One study away course may qualify as an elective toward the minor if it is similar to stated core or elective courses and preapproved by the coordinator.

Course requirements:

  • Three Rhetoric and Writing courses
  • Two elective courses from two separate academic fields from the approved list of courses provided by the minor coordinator
  • One integrating exercise, usually an academic internship related to media and communication (RHET 395), an independent study with a Writing program faculty member (RHET 399), a writing-related teaching assistantship (RHET 466), or a 300 level course (either a RHET or another 300-level course) approved by the director of the minor.