Courses
Students enrolled in PWR courses benefit from intimate learning environments in which students have opportunities to engage in hands-on learning activities, dialogue with their peers and instructors, and receive extensive feedback on their writing. Classes are generally capped at 19 and conducted as intensive writing workshops, placing a premium on thoughtful, substantive revision.
Our lower and upper division curriculum offers a wide variety of learning experiences. But generally, students can expect to not only gain experience with critical analysis, argumentation, and academic inquiry but also the applied arts of public writing in which they have opportunities to generate creative and dynamic content; research pressing contemporary matters; engage public audiences; work toward publication; and write with local communities and organizations.
Extended First-Year Writing and Rhetoric. Extended version of WRTG 1150, designed for students who want more preparation and practice in college writing. Meets the same goals and requirements as WRTG 1150, but with one extra hour of coursework per week to allow for more small-group and one-on-one instruction.
Rhetorically informed introduction to college writing. Focuses on critical analysis, argument, inquiry, and information literacy. Taught as a writing workshop, the course places a premium on invention, drafting, and thoughtful revision. For placement criteria, see the Arts and Sciences advising office. Meets MAPS requirement for English. Approved for Arts and Sciences core curriculum: written communication.
Restricted to College of Communication, Media, Design and Information (CMDI) undergraduate students only.
Rhetorically informed introduction to college writing for CMCI students enrolled in CMCI 1040. Focuses on rhetorical analysis, argument, inquiry, and information literacy. Taught as a writing workshop, the course emphasizes practicing writing strategies for all phases of the writing process.
Intended for more experienced writers, this course meets the same goals as WRTG 1150 but at a more challenging level. Taught as a writing workshop, the course places a premium on invention, drafting, and thoughtful revision. For placement criteria, see the Arts and Sciences advising office. Meets MAPS requirement for English. Approved for Arts and Sciences core curriculum: written communication.
Please consult the Program for further information.
This writing course explores how information shapes—and is shaped by—human society, focusing both on the research process and broader cultural implications. Students will design original research projects while examining how information infrastructures influence memory, trust, and power.
Explores from both the reader's and writer's perspective the forms of creative nonfiction, including personal essay and memoir. Students will read and write extensively within this genre, develop skill in revision and peer critique, and learn how to submit work for publication. Prereq. WRTG 1150 or equivalent (completion of lower-division writing requirement).
Explores a variety of academic and professional writing genres, ranging from research to technical writing, in intensive topic-focused workshops. Students will read and write extensively within their given genres, with an emphasis on developing a personal writing practice and exposing themselves to a broad range of writing modes. Designed for self-motivated students in a variety of majors. See Course Schedule.
WRITING CENTER THEORY AND PRACTICE, Eric Klinger, M.A.
This course is inspired by the principle that genuine knowledge begins with teaching someone else. In this class, you will become a more knowledgeable and confident writer through first- hand experience tutoring peers. You will deepen your understanding of writing as a craft and your ability to negotiate the challenges inherent to writing for and communicating with academic, professional, and civic audiences.
Course topics will include theories of learning, college composition, and rhetorical theory, tutoring practices in writing centers, language acquisition, writing in academic disciplines, document design strategies, and grammar and style tutorials. You’ll participate in peer tutoring activities, learn to write a competitive cover letter and resume, compose response papers and a research paper, lead occasional class discussions, and compile an end-of-term portfolio.
For students who wish to apply to become paid tutors upon successfully completing the class, a six-week unpaid tutoring internship in the Writing Center is available starting in March.
This course fulfills an elective and is open to all undergraduates interested in learning to tutor writing.
Introduces key concepts and practices that are central to understanding historical and contemporary social movements in the United States. Grounded in theories about language, culture, bodies, and power, the course is taught through various frameworks such as intersectionality, rhetoric, critical race theory, feminism, queer studies, decolonial studies, and/or LGTBQ+ studies. Students will discover, identify, and analyze social issues of significance to them; practice developing their own visions for social change; and present their visions in public-facing multi-modal genres. This 3-credit course helps to fulfill the Arts & Humanities category of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement.
Provides academically supervised opportunity for undergraduate students to engage in writing and rhetoric as a practical and productive art. Students may work in a variety of organizations (public/government/civic/private) on writing-intensive projects related to their career goals, and thereby connect classroom theory to real-world practice. Prior approval of PWR internship coordinator required.
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: This course is restricted to students with 30 credits (Sophomores) with a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Junior or Senior) AAAH or FILM/FMST or AASA or AASF or THTR or TBFA or DNCE or DBFA or AMST or ARCH or ATLS or BASA or CLAS or DSGN or ETHN or JADV or MDST or RLST or TMEN or EDUC majors only
Enables students in the arts to improve their writing skills through developing and reflecting on personal craft. Writing assignments may include pitches to publishers, artist statements, memoir pieces, and other narrative writing. Department enforced prerequisite: WRTG 1150 or equivalent (completion of lower-division writing requirement).
Weaves theories of rhetoric with theories of information, data, and technology to investigate how digital information systems mediate contemporary ways of knowing and being in everyday life. Through seminar discussions and a suite of public facing assignments, students will have opportunities to question their own roles in information networks, critique systems of power, and enter into contemporary debates about the overlaps of data, media, and ethics.
Restricted to students w/ 57-180 credits (Jr or Sr) in AS (ARSCU), College of Media, Comm Info (CMCIU) or School of Ed (EDUCU) or Business (BUSNU) or Comp Sci Bachelor of Arts (CSEN-BA) or Prog in Env Design (ARPLU) or College of Music (MUSC) only.
Through sustained inquiry into a selected topic or issue, students will practice advanced forms of academic writing. The course emphasizes analysis, criticism, and argument. Taught as a writing workshop, the course places a premium on substantive, thoughtful revision. Restricted to arts and sciences juniors and seniors. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: written communication. Not all courses offered every semester. See 3020 Course Descriptions and Course Schedule.
Restricted to students with 57-180 credits in Engineering, MCDB, EBIO, GEOL, ASTR, IPHY, PHYS, MATH, ECON, BCHM, CHEM, PSYC, NRSC, EDUC, ATOC, GEOG, CSCI or Program in Env Des (ARPLU) majors only.
Through selected reading and writing assignments, students examine ethical and social issues that arise within the decision-making processes associated with science and technology. Focuses on critical thinking, analytical writing, and oral presentation. Taught as a writing workshop, the course emphasizes effective communication with both professional and nontechnical audiences. See Course Schedule.
Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
Rhetorically informed introduction to technical writing that hones communication skills in the context of technical design activities. Treats design as a collaborative, user-oriented, problem-based activity, and technical communication as a rhetorically informed and persuasive design art. Taught as a writing workshop emphasizing critical thinking, revision, and oral presentation skills. Focuses on client-driven design projects and effective communication with multiple stakeholders. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Restricted to juniors and seniors in engineering; architecture and planning; and the physical, earth, and life sciences. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: written communication. See Course Schedule.
Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
Through selected reading and writing assignments, students examine ethical and social issues that arise within the decision-making processes associated with business and industry. Focuses on critical thinking, analytical writing, and oral presentation. Taught as a writing workshop, the course emphasizes effective communication with both professional and nontechnical audiences. Restricted to junior and senior business, economics, and IAFS majors. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: written communication. See Course Schedule.
Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors).
A rhetorically informed professional writing course addressing key competencies needed in emerging workplaces. Intended for juniors and seniors from a wide range of majors who anticipate working in communication-intensive capacities. Taught as a writing workshop, with a focus on revision, critical thinking, and collaborative engagement. Key topics: professional correspondence, grant and proposal writing, writing for policy debates, data analysis and visualization, report writing, and advanced oral presentation and multimedia skills. Satisfies A&S Upper-Division Written Communication requirement.
Whether used by nonprofits to catalyze social action, think tanks to argue for policy change, or organizations to promote legislative equity, data advocacy is an increasingly important means of communication in the era of ubiquitous data. While coding and other technical skills are important for advocating with data, ethical data advocacy demands learning how to not only critically examine data issues in the context of existing power dynamics and social practices but also rhetorically use data to tell ethical, compelling data-driven stories and participate in ongoing conversations about pressing social matters. Grounded in the methodologies of data feminism and rhetorical data studies, this course prepares you to do such work by helping you develop a complex array of data skills and communication literacies needed to use data responsibly and effectively to advocate for social change. No prior experience with computer science or data science is needed; instead, you will learn how to blend minimal computing and open-source tools with rhetorical literacies to ethically translate data into effective real-world action.
For more information, see 3090 Course Descriptions.
Students from all majors learn digital and print publishing. Hindsight Creative Nonfiction and its imprint Changing Skies: Writing Through the Climate Crisis, bring CU student writing and art alongside professional contributors of creative nonfiction and art to a global audience. This course introduces new staff to powerful job skills guided by veterans, with significant freedom across Journal departments: Acquisitions and Editorial (Submittable and Word), Art Direction and Digital Production (Photoshop and InDesign), A/V Production (Final Cut Pro X and DaVinci Resolve), Online Publishing (Wix), Marketing (mailing list and social media platforms), Business (Excel), and leadership roles in project management (advanced Google Drive and Trello). No experience required to work collaboratively and publish our next issue—in print and online. hindsightjournal.org.
Please consult the Program for further information.
Provides academically supervised opportunity for undergraduate students to engage in writing and rhetoric as a practical and productive art. Students may work in a variety of organizations (public/government/civic/private) on writing-intensive projects related to their career goals, and thereby connect classroom theory to real-world practice. Prior approval of PWR internship coordinator required.
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: This course is restricted to students with 57 credits (Juniors) with a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Discussion-based seminar that engages with the situated rhetorical practices of cultural communities on the margins of US American society. Course explores the world-making stories and cultural interactions of select minority communities by analyzing real-world textual artifacts produced by and with that community. Methods and theories from critical and cultural rhetorics are leveraged to honor and interrogate communal ways of knowing and being. Final project includes a co-written story with a cultural community of your choosing.
Introduces students to the rhetorical arts of craftmaking as a means of public persuasion. Through seminar discussions, outreach assignments, and workshops, students explore how diverse communities participate in critical practices of making and learn how to ethically engage with a variety of tactile, print, and audio-visual textual artifacts for civic purposes. Through a final hands-on, public-facing humanities-based project, students also learn how to collaboratively develop their own crafts as rhetorical strategies of storytelling, relational identity formation, community building, and political activism.
Offers students opportunities to engage with justice-oriented organizations and develop skills in professional writing, interpersonal communication, and writing consultation. Students work in community partnerships such as non-profit and prison education programs to critically understand how writing and justice can constructively address social, economic, and educational disparities. Through outreach work, students also hone their abilities to write, communicate with diverse audiences, and contribute to meaningful civic action. This course may be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.
Provides opportunities for students to collaborate with local organizations focused on environmental and cultural sustainability and expand their rhetorical abilities in civic engagement. In addition to exploring critical and social theories pertaining to sustainability, students will learn how to engage in ethical social action. As a final project, students will apply their writing, research, and communication skills to community writing projects in order to assist local partners on various sustainability efforts.
Provides academically supervised opportunity for undergraduate students to curate, reflect on and synthesize their learning over a range of courses through the production of an electronic portfolio. One credit hour required of students seeking the Interdisciplinary Writing Certificate. Approval of PWR Certificate coordinator required prior to registration.
Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to students with 57-180 credits (Juniors or Seniors). Requires cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Special topics and methods course in composition theory, research, and pedagogy. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. See Course Schedule.
Please consult the Program for further information.