Writing, Minor

Program Description

Writing is valued as a mode of learning, as a means of expression, and as a skill highly desirable in the workplace. Personal development, interpersonal communication, and professional marketability may all be enhanced by the further study and practice of writing. For these reasons, the Writing minor offers students from virtually every discipline across the University an opportunity to learn more about a wide variety of writing: informative/persuasive, professional, and creative, while improving their own writing skills through hands-on writing experiences. In addition to offering students opportunities to study and practice different types of writing, the minor affords students the opportunity to write for/in different media, producing both print and electronic texts.

Program Requirements

For the Writing minor, a total of 18 credits is required. Students may not count courses used to satisfy General Education Writing/Speaking Skills.

Requirements for the Minor

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
ENGL 211	Introduction to Writing Studies	3
ENGL 420	Writing for the Web	3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select 6-12 credits of the following: 1		6-12
ENGL 50	Introduction to Creative Writing
ENGL 209	Journal or Magazine Practicum
ENGL 212	Introduction to Fiction Writing
ENGL 213	Introduction to Poetry Writing
ENGL 215	Introduction to General Nonfiction Writing
ENGL 412	Advanced Fiction Writing
ENGL 413	Advanced Poetry Writing
ENGL 414	Biographical Writing
ENGL 415	Advanced Nonfiction Writing
ENGL 416	Science Writing
ENGL 417	The Editorial Process
ENGL 418	Advanced Technical Writing and Editing
ENGL 419	Advanced Business Writing
ENGL 421	Advanced Expository Writing
ENGL 422	Fiction Workshop
ENGL 423
ENGL 424	Creative Writing and the Natural World
ENGL 425
ENGL 470	Rhetorical Theory and Practice
ENGL 471	Rhetorical Traditions
ENGL 474	Issues in Rhetoric and Composition
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better
Select 0-6 credits from a department-approved list 1		0-6

¹

At least 3 credits of Additional/Supporting courses must be taken at the 400 level.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

Harrisburg

Maggie Gerrity, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
Olmsted Building, W355
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6629
mlg34@psu.edu

Abington

Liliana Naydan
Assistant Professor, English
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7585
lmn122@psu.edu

Contact

Harrisburg

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
Olmsted Building, W356
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6189
mpf5451@psu.edu

https://harrisburg.psu.edu/humanities/writing-minor

Abington

DIVISION OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES
1600 Woodland Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-881-7585
lmn122@psu.edu

https://www.abington.psu.edu/campus-directory/liliana-naydan