Writing Courses

NOTE: All new students entering the College are required to take WRT 150, WRT 175, and WRT 200 within their first 45 credits at Medaille. Transfer students with more than 45 credits already completed should complete these courses as soon as possible.

WRT 150 COLLEGE WRITING I
This course introduces students to the process of writing they will need for success in college. It increases students' abilities to communicate confidently with others, to think clearly, and to organize ideas. Pre-writing, writing, revising, and editing are emphasized. Students will produce a portfolio of their writings including a self-assessment. Three credit hours. This course is required for and limited to all students who place within the specified range on the placement test. Offered every semester (d & e).

WRT 175 COLLEGE WRITING II
This course develops the students' abilities to write effectively in college. It assists students to make judgments regarding content within their own writing, particularly when utilizing researched sources. It also emphasizes organization, structure, revision, and mechanics. Students will produce a portfolio of their writtren work, including a self-assessment. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: WRT 150 or suitable score on the writing assessment. Offered every semester (d & e).

WRT 200 ANALYTICAL WRITING
This course is designed to follow WRT 175. It develops students' skills in critical thinking and in writing analyses, using subject matter from across the curriculum. Each writing assignment requires research and writing from sources. Students will produce a portfolio of their written work, including a self-assessment. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: WRT 175 or its equivalent in transfer credits. Offered every semester (d & e).

WRT 250 WRITING FOR BUSINESS
This course emphasizes the formal and analytical report. Reports are produced on the computer. Computer skills will include word processing, graphics, and professional packaging. Students write memorandums and letters. The course, which includes grammar and usage review, teaches practical skills to those who write on the job. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: CIS 115 or CIS 120; and WRT 200. Offered Fall semester (d & e).

WRT 290 ARGUMENTATION AND PERSUASION
A detailed study of the principles employed in effective written arguments and persuasive pieces. The course will familiarize students with the tools and techniques of persuasion, and place special emphasis on the nature of argument. Practical application of the art of persuasion in the professional world will be included. The course will provide extensive writing practice. Three credit hours. Prerequisites: PHI 200 and WRT 200. Offered as needed.

WRT 298 SPECIAL TOPIC IN WRITING
(Topic to be specified each semester course offered.)

WRT 310 CREATIVE WRITING
(Genre to be specified each semester course offered.)
This course teaches the structures and techniques of creative writing: fiction, poetry, or drama. These genres rotate each time the course is offered, and students may take the course three times, once for each genre. Primarily workshop in format, the course teaches creative expression in traditional, contemporary and experimental forms. The workshops give the students confidence in oral reading of their work and in the give-and-take of constructive criticism. Lectures supplement the workshop with knowledge of how and where to publish the work and how to enter it in contests. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: WRT 200. Offered Fall semester (d); offered Spring semester (e).

WRT 350 RESEARCH AND ADVANCED REPORT WRITING
This course teaches advanced skills for those who write for academic disciplines. Half the course gives hands-on computer experience in using library and other professional research tools, applying techniques of analysis, using research as evidence, and writing and editing. The other half of the course gives workshop experience in the give-and-take of constructive criticism to reinforce writing as a process. This course is especially useful for those who will write on-the-job in business, industries, academics, agencies, and organizations. Three credit hours. Prerequisite: WRT 200. Offered Spring semester (d & e).

WRT 398 SPECIAL TOPIC IN WRITING
(Topic to be specified each semester course offered.)

WRT 498 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN WRITING
Prerequisite: WRT 175.