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NDSU

Graduate Composition Courses

The Department offers courses in linguistics, rhetoric, and writing that make up the composition studies track at the MA Level.

652 History of the English Language
Development of the English language from its Germanic origins to the modern period. To be offered Spring 2008; no predictable schedule for this course.

653 Social and Regional Varieties of English
Study of sociological factors as they relate to language (American English). Examines region, age, gender, ethnicity, self-identity, situation, profession, etc. and their relation to pronunciation, word choice, politeness, formality, turn-taking, etc. Students conduct original research. No predictable schedule for this course.

654 Language Bias
Application of current linguistic, rhetorical, and literary theory to examine and analyze the ways in which the social asymmetries of gender, sexuality, race, and ethnicity are reflected and sustained through discourse practices. Generally offered every second fall semester, odd years.

659 Researching and Writing Grants and Proposals
A rhetorical approach to researching and writing academic grants, business proposals, and related professional documents. Students develop a portfolio of professionally designed and edited documents as well as the vocabulary of grants writing and research. Prereq: graduate status.

753 Rhetorics & Poetics of New Media
This web-based class will provide in-depth study of major new media theorists and require students to consider the research and teaching implications of new media for the humanities and social sciences. Generally offered every even numbered spring semester.

754 The Rhetorics of Science and Technology
The study and critique of the rhetorics of science and technology, informed by rhetorical theory and by the philosophy of and the social studies of science and technology. Prereq: Graduate Standing or special permision by instructor. Offered fall 2007 for the first time; no predictable schedule.

755 Composition Theory
Study of contemporary theories of teaching writing with frequent summary/response papers on assigned readings and a research paper on composition theory. Offered every odd spring semester.

756 Composition Research
Study of designs and basic statistics for writing research; analysis of current research; and a research project in composition. Offered every even spring semester.

757 Composition Studies
Overview of major areas in composition studies (rhetoric and composition, theory and practice, research, and instructional trends). No predictable schedule.

758 Topics in Rhetoric and Writing
Intensive study of a theory, theorist, or issue in rhetoric or writing with regard to relevance for critical and production practices in English Studies. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Prereq: Graduate Standing. No predictable schedule.

759 History of Writing Instruction
The study of the history of writing instruction from antiquity to the present, with emphasis on relevance to modern writing instruction. No predictable schedule.

760 Graduate Scholarship
Introduction to scholarship in English studies and to the nature and state of the discipline. Offered every fall semester.

764 Classroom Strategies for TAs
Introduction to current issues in composition pedagogy, research, and theory, focusing on how they inform teaching practices. Instruction on developing philosophy of and strategies for teaching through short position papers, literacy autobiography, and a sequence of assignments for ENGL 120. Offered every fall semester.

Composition Curriculum Guide

GRADUATE MAJOR IN ENGLISH

Composition Option

COURSE

CREDITS

COMPLETED/ GRADE

Core Courses in English MA (3 credits)

Engl 760 Graduate Scholarship

3

Composition Core (6 credits)

Engl 755 Composition Theory

3

Engl 756 Composition Research

3

Composition Electives (9 credits; may include Engl 764)

Engl ____

Composition Elective

3

Engl ____

Composition Elective

3

Engl ____

Composition Elective

3

Electives (9 credits)

Engl ____

English Literature Elective

3

Engl ____

Engl Linguistic Elective (650 or 651

or 652 or 653 or 654)

3

Engl ____

3

Thesis or Paper (3 credits)

Master's Paper or Thesis (Engl 797 or Engl

798)

3

TOTAL

30

Student's Name: _______________________________ NAID # ___________________

Advisor's Name: ______________________________ Revised Fall 2003

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Published by the NDSU Dept. of English

Department of English
NDSU, Dept. 2320
P.O. Box 6050
Fargo ND 58108-6050