2018-2019 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Apr 18, 2024

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2018-2019 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Professional Writing, B.A.

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Majors in professional writing explore all facets of the development and production of professional written materials, including identification of subject matter, consideration of audience and format, selection of effective research methods, and approaches to drafting and revision. Students learn to write in a variety of genres for creative, academic, and professional contexts. Students also study literature and theory to expand their knowledge of reading, interpretation, and critical thinking and analysis. Student have the opportunity to gain an understanding of workplace structures and processes that support production of written and multimedia materials, and have opportunities to develop related skills through coordinated work in other departments.

Baccalaureate Degree and Residency Requirements

All requirements for an undergraduate degree are listed under academic policies and regulations in the introductory section for undergraduate programs in this catalog. These requirements include a graduation requirement of at least one course in religion or theology.

Major Approval

Major approval is required during the second semester of the sophomore year, or after the completion of 45 credit hours at Fontbonne. For transfer students, major approval is required after completing the equivalent of one full semester (a minimum of 12 credits) at Fontbonne.

To receive approval for a major in professional writing, a student must have a 2.5 GPA in courses taken at Fontbonne to meet major requirements both 1) at the time of application for major approval and 2) through degree completion. Students must complete 15 credit hours of coursework in the major before applying for major approval; for transfer students, at least nine of these credit hours must be taken at Fontbonne.

General Education Requirements

The 42 credit hours of general education requirements are presented in the undergraduate academic information section in this catalog. A course that meets a general education requirement may also meet a course requirement for the major or a course requirement in another discipline.

A student majoring in professional writing who completes the literature general education pillar should take a course at the 200 level or above. A student majoring in professional writing must also earn a minimum grade of C- in ENG 101 - Composition I and ENG 102 - Composition II .

Courses Required in the Major

Core Theory (18 credits)

ENG 200 - Introduction to English Credit(s): 3
ENG 301 - Theory and Teaching of Writing Credit(s): 3
ENG 303 - History of the English Language Credit(s): 3
ENG 370 - Critical Theory Credit(s): 3
ENG 401 - Professional Writing Credit(s): 3
ENG 403 - Grammar: Theory and Practice Credit(s): 3

Craft of Writing (15 credits)

ENG 203 - Writing for Social Justice Credit(s): 3
ENG 311 - Writing Poetry Credit(s): 3
OR
ENG 312 - Writing Short Fiction Credit(s): 3
ENG 304 - Creative Nonfiction Credit(s): 3
ENG 496 - Senior Thesis Credit(s): 3
Additional Writing Elective Credit(s) 3

List of Approved Writing Courses

(prerequisites apply)

ENG 201 - Business Writing Credit(s): 3
ENG 208 - Digital Publications Workshop Credit(s): 1-3
ENG 309 - Journalism Credit(s): 3
ENG 311 - Writing Poetry Credit(s): 3
ENG 312 - Writing Short Fiction Credit(s): 3
ENG 313 - Writing the One-Act Play Credit(s): 3
ENG 494 - Interpreting and Translating Science for Consumers Credit(s): 3
SWK 280 - Fundraising and Grant Writing Credit(s): 3

Professional Practice (6 credits)

ENG 208 - Digital Publications Workshop Credit(s): 1-3 (Credits: 3)
ENG 484 - Practicum/Internship in Professional Writing Credit(s): 1-6 (Credits: 3)

Literature Electives (6 credits 200 level or above)

Must be in addition to the general education requirement.

List of Approved Literature Courses

(prerequisites apply)

ENG 220 - Women’s Literature Credit(s): 3
ENG 240 - Survey of English Literature to 1789 Credit(s): 3
ENG 241 - Survey of English Literature since 1789 Credit(s): 3
ENG 251 - World Literature Credit(s): 3
ENG 255 - African-American Literature Credit(s): 3
ENG 260 - Survey of American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENG 261 - Survey of American Literature since 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENG 270 - Literature for the Secondary Schools Credit(s): 3
ENG 293 - Topics in Literature Credit(s): 3
ENG 320 - Shakespeare Credit(s): 3
ENG 340 - Modernism Credit(s): 3
ENG 380 - Topics in English Literature Credit(s): 3
ENG 381 - Topics in American Literature Credit(s): 3
ENG 382 - Non-Canonical Literatures Credit(s): 3
ENG 383 - Topics in Genre, Themes and Movements Credit(s): 3

Communication Elective (3 credits)

Approved Communication Electives

COM 260 - Media, Technology, and Culture Credit(s): 3
COM 295 - Persuasion Credit(s): 3
COM 299 - Message Analysis Strategies Credit(s): 3
COM 340 - Principles and Ethics of Strategic Communication Credit(s): 3
COM 350 - Organizational Communication Credit(s): 3

Additional Recommended Electives

ART 202 - Intro to Web Design Credit(s): 3
ART 223 - Introduction to Graphic Design Credit(s): 3
ART 323 - Graphic Design II Credit(s): 3
COM 295 - Persuasion Credit(s): 3
COM 299 - Message Analysis Strategies Credit(s): 3
COM 340 - Principles and Ethics of Strategic Communication Credit(s): 3
COM 350 - Organizational Communication Credit(s): 3

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