University of Minnesota
Department of Writing Studies
612-624-3445
writ@umn.edu


Department of Writing Studies home page.

{Home : Graduate}

Graduate

writing studies students
Photo: Erika Schulte

The Department of Writing Studies offers a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in Rhetoric and Scientific and Technical Communication (RSTC), a Master of Science in Scientific and Technical Communication (STC), and a post-baccalaureate Certificate in Technical Communication.

The Writing Studies faculty consists of thirteen members who explore and expand our understanding of writing and the ways people use written texts to shape the world. Our research  and teaching interests range widely, including rhetorical theory  and history, scientific and technical communication, writing pedagogy, textual analysis, digital literacies, and the relationships between writers, readers, and broader social and cultural contexts.

In addition, our students benefit from being at a wonderful and complex university, which allows them to take courses in a related, supporting field such as cultural studies, history, literature, and the social sciences, as well work with professional schools of education, law, engineering, and public health. This diversity of options also allows students to study with an affiliated faculty with expertise in rhetoric of science, communication studies, journalism and mass communication, feminist studies, human-computer interaction, curriculum and instruction, and literacy and rhetorical studies, among others. The University also has a superb library system with extensive electronic resources and print holdings.

The number of graduate students in our programs is small, so students receive close, individual attention as they work through the course requirements, examinations, and, for doctoral students, the dissertation.

The University of Minnesota is located in the Twin Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. This location combines the entertainment and recreational opportunities of a major city with a compact footprint that makes it quite convenient to get from school to home, and beyond.

Graduate News

  • Congratulations Linda!

    Congratulations to Linda Clemens (seen here with MWCA President Deaver Traywick) who received a Midwest Writing Centers Association student travel award!

    Jessica Orton and Renata Solum from the Center for Writing also won the award.

    SDC11848.JPG

     November 6th, 2009

  • The Modern Rhetoric Project: October 22-24th

    * To what extent is modern rhetorical theory a rearticulation or transformation of classical rhetorical theories?
    * To what extent is modern rhetorical theory a rupture from its classical roots in response to social, aesthetic or technological changes?
    * Can we use modern rhetorical theories to generate contemporary rhetorical criticism?

    The Institute for Advanced Study is hosting a Colloquium on Modern Rhetoric October 22-24th. Organized by RSTC alumnus, David Beard, this event features presentations from an international faculty in composition, communication and rhetorical studies, including work by RSTC faculty members Richard Graff, John Logie, Art Walzer and Alan Gross, among others. PhD candidates Kim Thomas-Pollei and Liz Kalbfleisch are also participating.

    For more information, visit http://ias.umn.edu/collabs09-10/ModernRhetoric.php.

     October 20th, 2009

Graduate Program news archive