Writing Studies, B.A.
The writing studies major begins with foundational courses introducing how writing is studied as well as introducing creative and professional writing processes and products. Particular to UC Merced’s Writing Studies degree, at this foundational stage the curriculum especially provides experience in how professional and creative writing talk to each other.
Upper division coursework ensures experience in research writing and specialized advanced creative and professional writing. Elective space in the course path provides for students to take courses to specialize further or choose a broader-based experience in writing processes and products. Hands-on practicum courses and a two-semester capstone experience support writing studies students for both academic and public-facing portfolios of work that speak to career paths students have chosen.
In addition to adhering to General Education Requirements and School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts Requirements, the Writing Studies major requires at least 54 units (some of which simultaneously meet general education requirements). Courses in the major must be taken for a letter grade, and specifically may not be taken on a pass/no pass basis unless the course is only offered on a pass/no pass basis.
Lower Division Major Requirements [15 Units]
The following two courses are required.
WRI 015: Introduction to Writing Studies Units: 3
WRI 090: Intersections of Creative and Professional Writing Units: 4
Foundation Requirement [8 units]
Complete two of the following courses:
WRI 025: Introduction to Creative Writing [4 units]
WRI 030: Introduction to Professional Writing [4 units]
Upper Division Major Requirements [39 Units]
Theory and Methods [12 units]
Upper Division Writing [4 units]
Complete one of the following courses:
WRI 100: Advanced Writing [4 units]
WRI 103: Research Design and Methods in Writing Studies [4 units]
WRI 120: Rhetorical Theory [4 units]
WRI 121: International Rhetoric [4 units]
WRI 122: Special Topics in Rhetoric [4 units]
Interdisciplinary Humanities [8 units]
Complete two of the following courses that are reading intensive, emphasizing a scope of humanities research and associated theories/methodologies to broaden and enrich students' writing studies praxis:
CRES 101: Race and the Media [4 units]
Any ENG courses from ENG 105-189
Any GASP courses from GASP 150-189
HIST 100: The Historian's Craft [4 units] (by petition only)
Other non-WRI courses may apply to this requirement with departmental approval.
Specialization Requirement [20 units]
Creative and Professional Writing [12 units]
Complete WRI 130: Topics in Professional Writing [4 units]
Complete one course in the WRI 125-series [4 units]
Complete either WRI 150: Seminar in Creative Writing or WRI 155: Seminar in Professional Writing [4 units]
Academic Writing [8 units]
Complete two of the following courses:
WRI 101: Writing in the Disciplines: Psychology [4 units]
WRI 101A: Special Topics in Writing for the Psychological Sciences [4 units]
WRI 105: Grammar and Style [4 units]
WRI 112: Writing in the Arts [4 units]
WRI 114: Environmental Writing [4 units]
WRI 115: Topics in Science Writing [4 units]
WRI 116: Science Writing in Natural Sciences [4 units]
WRI 116A: Special Topics in Writing for the Natural Sciences [4 units]
WRI 117: Writing for the Social Sciences and Humanities [4 units]
WRI 118: Management Communication Theory and Practice [4 units]
WRI 119: Writing for Engineering [4 units]
WRI 119A: Special Topics in Writing for Engineering [4 units]
Practicum [4 units]
Complete 4 units from one of the following options:
WRI 110: Tutor Training [4 units]
Two courses from the WRI 131-series [4 units]
Capstone [3 units]
Complete the following courses:
WRI 180A: Capstone in Writing Studies A [2 units]
WRI 180B: Capstone in Writing Studies B [1 unit]
Transfer Students
Transfer students who wish to major in Writing Studies should complete the University of California Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) at their community college. Transfer students may not be admitted to the Writing Studies major without specific major preparation. Below are the Transfer Admission Criteria for the Writing Studies Major.
Transfer Selection Criteria
To be admitted to the Writing Studies major transfer students must meet the following requirements:
Applicants will, at the time of admission have completed at minimum two of the following courses (or their equivalent) with a "C-" or better:
WRI 010: College Reading and Composition
WRI 015: Introduction to Writing Studies
WRI 025: Introduction to Creative Writing
WRI 030: Introduction to Professional Writing
