PWR Variable Topics Courses

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 2090 Descriptions. See Course Schedule. 

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. See 3020 Descriptions. Not all courses offered every semester. See Course Schedule.

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 3030 Descriptions. Restricted to junior and senior engineering students and junior and senior physical and biological science majors. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: written communication. See Course Schedule.

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. See 3035 Descriptions. 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.

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. See 3040 Descriptions. Restricted to junior and senior business, economics, and IAFS majors. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: written communication. See Course Schedule.

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. See 3045 Course Descriptions

This Advanced Topics in Writing course provides students with an introduction to the theory and practice of digital storytelling, which is a newly emerging genre that makes use of a variety of digital composition tools to convey a meaningful message in video format. The course is cross-listed with ATLS 3519 and counts towards the TAM certificate or minor. For more details, see 3090 Course Descriptions and hindsightjournal.com/.

Special topics and methods course in composition theory, research, and pedagogy. Topics vary by semester. See 5050 descriptions. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. See Course Schedule.