Writing

This introductory elective internship is intended to provide any students in the writing program (major or minor) with exploratory, on-site writing-related work experiences and opportunities. The goal is to gain practical experience under the supervision of both a professional in the field and a member of the faculty. Any organization involved in writing or publishing or the promoting of literature, literacy and the arts would serve as appropriate sites. These organizations might include newspaper, magazine, journal and book publishers, advertising and public relations firms, state and local libraries, writers’ organizations, arts councils, historical societies and the like. Graded Pass/Fail.

This course provides an in-depth study of the editorial process and how it is applied in different professional settings. Through various exercises, students will learn about the different stages of the editorial process, different editorial expectations in various genres and the differences between major style guides. Students will also work to prepare materials that could be useful for pursuing a professional position in the editorial field.

Maintaining clear communication between scientists and nonscientists is becoming increasingly important to modern society. In this course, students will analyze and write about topics in science and health, including climate change science, public health issues, as well as medical topics such as neuroscience and genetics. Complex ideas will be distilled by students into simple explanations after probing deeply into each topic via extensive research. Over the semester, students will (both individually and collaboratively) present their findings and write about topics with precision, clarity and objectivity. Students will also develop skills in audience analysis and critical research. At the end of the course, students will reflect on their experiences in light of current media coverage of relevant topics.

All creative and professional writing majors are required to complete a minimum one-credit 400-level internship to gain practical experience under the supervision of both a professional in the field and a member of the creative and professional writing faculty. Any organization involved in writing or publishing, or the promoting of literature, literacy and the arts would serve as appropriate sites. These organizations might include newspaper, magazine, journal and book publishers, advertising and public relations firms, state and local libraries, writers' organizations, arts councils, historical societies and the like.

The Capstone Proposal is an opportunity for seniors in the creative and professional writing major to design and carry out a long-term project. Projects may include audio, video or multimedia productions, a collection of creative work, public relations campaigns, online publications or advanced research projects. During the preparation semester, students will work with a faculty advisor to select and propose an individual project that is appropriate to their creative and professional goals. This course also helps students deepen their knowledge of potential careers in writing and editing and aids in the development of a professional portfolio. Students will prepare resumes and cover letters, learn about graduate school options, and they will create comprehensive portfolios.

The Capstone Experience is an opportunity for seniors in the creative and professional writing program to complete a long‐term project that they have begun during the fall semester. The project can be a media production, a rigorously revised collection of creative work, a research study or a service-learning project for a campus or nonprofit organization. Students will give a short presentation of their project and a brief overview of their critical work on Scholars’ Day.