About WRLS (formerly SPoW)
The letter of specialization in Writing, Rhetoric, and Literacy Studies (WRLS)* helps students to develop a stronger theoretical and practical understanding of writing. WRLS focuses on "everyday" forms of writing: the writing that people do in school, in communities and workplaces, as political expression, and online.
Beginning in fall '24: English majors, primary or secondary, seeking a credential in this area should declare a Concentration in Writing, Rhetoric, and Literacy Studies (WRLS). *As of fall '24, the name of the Study and Practice of Writing specialization is changing to Writing, Rhetoric, and Literacy Studies (WRLS).
New Requirements (5 courses)
The following new requirements apply to students beginning WRLS/SPoW in fall '23 or after. Students who began WRLS/SPoW prior to fall '23 may choose to follow either the old or the new requirements. All students must complete a minimum of 5 courses, as outlined below, with a minimum grade of a C.
- English 250: Introduction to Writing, Rhetoric, and Literacy Studies
- One Public or Professional Writing course (A or B)
- One Writing Theory or Teaching of Writing course (C)
- 2 electives, numbered 200+, from any category below (D)
**Students are strongly encouraged to pursue at least one course with technology designation.
Students are encouraged to complete at least one relevant credited internship or practicum.
FAQ
WRLS Courses
Courses with a writing technologies designation are marked with double-asterisks [**], or by approval of a WRLS advisor.
Contact information
For more information or for approval of other courses that may be accepted for the requirements, contact one of the specialization advisors:
- Janine Solberg, E461 South College, @email
- Donna LeCourt, W347 South College, (413) 545-6597, @email
- David Toomey, E459 South College, (413) 545-5519, @email
"This specialization has given me the opportunity to get involved in UMass’s English Department from outside the major. It’s been a great way for me to access a wide array of writing experiences (professional, theoretical) that are relevant to my career goals."
"I just knew that I loved to write and wanted to keep practicing and pushing myself as a writer. ... The classes I’ve taken for SPoW (now WRLS) are some of the best English classes I’ve taken, and they have definitely given me the most marketable skills."
"My SPoW coursework encouraged me to think and talk about writing critically, which gave me a lot of confidence as a writer in different contexts. I really enjoyed my classes in Tutoring Theory and Rhetoric because they gave me a broader understanding of the field of English studies, and pushed me to think about myself as a reader and a writer in a challenging way ... SPoW has also helped me in my other English courses because I was able to read the literature with a focus on the different rhetorical techniques and writing styles."
SPOW especially drew me because I want to pursue a career in publishing and felt that a focus on writing and rhetoric studies would be essential to my career goals.
I was able to take courses that introduced me to new and challenging ways of thinking about writing such as the Tutoring Theory and Practice courses. I also was able to learn invaluable skills, such as how to write a professional grant proposal in English 379: Intro to Professional Writing, and gain some advanced software experience, such as Adobe InDesign in Topics in Digital Publishing, that will allow me to enter the business world of writing.