Undergraduate

			Letter of Specialization in Nonfiction Writing The letter of specialization in nonfiction writing highlights the variety of writing courses and expertise offered at the undergraduate level. It allows majors to focus on nonfiction writing, the study and teaching of writing (rhetoric and composition), and/or publishing. In addition, it helps prepare majors for careers or graduate programs in these areas.Students intending to complete the program must complete English 379 Introduction to Professional Writing, one "Perspectives on Writing" course, one "Practice of Writing" course and two "Writing Electives." The letter of specialization is conferred on students who successfully complete these courses with a minimum grade of "C".

			1) English 379 Introduction to Professional Writing This course offers an overview of the field of professional writing in both theoretical and practical contexts. It also provides practice in the composition of traditional writing forms, especially letters and memorandums, interim reports, feasibility studies and formal proposals. It serves as the gateway course to the specialization in Professional Writing and Technical Communication and the specialization in Nonfiction Writing.
			2) One "Perspectives on Writing" Course These courses involve students in the study of writing in all its contexts--including the cultural, the theoretical and the historical. English 300 Race, Literacy, and the American Dream English 391D Writing and Emerging Technologies English 391M Contemporary American Autobiography English 329H Tutoring Writing: Theory and Practice English 491 Gender and Writing English 491BB Origins of Reading English 491F Literacy Studies in the U.S. English 491R Writing & Teaching Writing English 491X History of the Book Other courses, including many offered by the Four Colleges, may be accepted as fulfilling this requirement with pre-approval from the coordinator of the specialization, David Toomey, 481 Bartlett Hall, (413) 545-5519, dtoomey@english.umass.edu.
			3) One "Practice of Writing" Course These courses involve students directly in the practice of writing. English 297 Experimental Writing Workshops - mandatory pass/fail courses offered each spring semester through the Writing Program (Only one of these courses may count towards the Nonfiction Specialization.) English 298H Honors Practicum: Teaching in the Writing Center English 290 Publishing and Small Press English 350 Expository Writing English 391K Professional Editing English 352 Article Writing English 391J Creative Nonfiction English 392H Essentials of Professional Editing English 419 Games Thinkers Play English 450 Advanced Expository Writing English 493E Nonfiction Writing and Commercial Publishing English 493G Writing in Cyberspace English 497B Writing as Democratic Action: The Art of the Essay Other courses, including many offered by the Four Colleges, may be accepted as fulfilling this requirement with pre-approval from the coordinator of the specialization, David Toomey, 481 Bartlett Hall, (413) 545-5519, dtoomey@english.umass.edu.
			4) Two "Writing Electives" which may be chosen from requirements 2 and 3 (above), or which may be an internship in writing or publishing

University of Massachusetts Amherst

English Department