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English Specializations: |
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American Studies Specialization
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A Letter of Specialization is conferred on students who successfully complete the following program of courses:
Students must complete a minimum of six courses with a minimum grade of 'C', of which one must be a thesis, senior seminar, or internship. Student may take only two courses at the 200-level (not including English 279); all others must be at the 300-level or above.
1) English 279, Introduction to American Studies
2) One or two courses in American literature within the English Department.
3) Two or three additional courses in American culture from at least two other departments
4) One of the following: a thesis; a senior seminar in American Studies; an internship.
To view a list of pre-approved courses or for more information, contact Professor Ronald Welburn, 479 Bartlett, rwelburn@english.umass.edu.
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Nonfiction Writing Specialization
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A letter of specialization is conferred on students who successfully complete the following courses:
Students must complete a minimum of five courses with a minimum grade of a 'C.'
1) English 379 Introduction to Professional Writing
2) One Perspectives on Writing Course: English 300 Race, Literacy and the American Dream, English 329H Tutoring Writing: Theory & Practice, English 391D Writing and Emerging Technologies, English 391M Contemporary American Autobiography, 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, English 298H Honors Practicum: Teaching in the Writing Center, English 298 Publishing and the Small Press, English 350 Expository Writing, English 391K Professional Editing, English 352 Article Writing, English 391J Creative Nonfiction, English 392H Essentials Professional Edit, 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, one of which may be from requirements 2 and 3 (above), or which may be an internship in writing or publishing.
For more information or for approval of other courses that may be accepted for the requirements, contact the coordinator of the specialization, David Toomey, 481 Bartlett Hall, (413) 545-5519, dtoomey@english.umass.edu.
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Professional Writing and Technical Communication (PWTC) Specialization
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A Letter of Specialization is conferred on students who successfully complete the following program of courses:
Students in the program take five courses: ENGL 379: Technical Writing, ENGL 380: Intermediate Professional Writing, ENGL 381 Advanced Technical Writing I, ENGL 382: Advanced Technical Writing II, and ENGL 391C: Advanced Software.
Although the entire program may be completed during a single academic year, students are encouraged to spread the work over their junior and senior years. Students intending to complete the program should note that 379 and 380 (offered only in fall semester) are prerequisites for 381, 382 and 391C (offered only in spring semester), and plan accordingly.
Successful completion of this specialization satisfies and therefore waives the Junior Year Writing requirement for English majors. Three of these courses count as upper-level elective for the English major; two count as general education credit. The program places a number of its students in "junior-level" writing and editing positions, through internships and co-ops. Since 1990, program graduates have enjoyed nearly 100 percent employment in writing and editing.
For further information, contact Professor David Toomey, 481 Bartlett Hall, (413) 545-5519, dtoomey@english.umass.edu. See also the program website at www.umass.edu/pwtc.
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Creative Writing Specialization
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A Letter of Specialization is conferred on students who successfully complete the following program of courses.
Students must complete a minimum of five courses with a minimum grade of a "B" in English 354 and a minimum grade of a "C" in all others.
If approved, studnets may substitute appropriate courses at UMass and the other four colleges (Smith, Mount Holyoke, Amherst and Hampshire) for the optional courses listed below. Pre-approval msut be given by our faculty advisors, Randall Knoper, knoper@english.umass.edu or Janis Greve, jgreve@english.umass.edu, 252 Bartlett Hall. We recommend that you make an appointment with one of them by calling (413) 545-0388.
Required Courses:
1) English 354: Creative Writing: Introduction
2) English 355: Creative Writing Fiction or English 356: Creative Writing Poetry.
3) Three writing electives: English 355* or 356*, 254, 297, 350, 352, 391J, 450 or by invitation: two semester Thesis Project (ENGL 496 Ind Study or ENGL 499Y-499P Honors Project): ________
*Student may repeat this courses once with a new professor as a way of fulfilling their five courses.
Please note that to add English 355 or English 356, students must have completed English 354 or 354H with a grade of a "B" or better and receive consent fro instructors by submitting a portfolio of work. Please contact the English Department for more information.
Optional Courses: one English 297: Experimental Writing Workshop (offered each spring semester through the Writing Program), one Nonfiction writing course such as English 350 Expository Writing, English 352 Article Writing, English 291J Creative Nonfiction, or English 450 Advanced Expository Writing.
NOTE: Selected students of high promise will be asked to complete their Specialization through a two semester Thesis Project (English 496 Independent Study or English 499Y-499P Honors Project). These students will work individually with one or two faculty members over the course of a year, intensifying their writing practice and producing substantial senior thesis.
