Rhetoric and Writing Studies

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OFFICE: Storm Hall West 141
TELEPHONE: 619-594-6515 / FAX: 619-594-6530

Undergraduate Information

General Information

The Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies offers writing programs at all levels for university students. The department works cooperatively with other academic departments and campus groups to plan and develop a comprehensive writing program integrating writing and reading with critical thinking throughout the curriculum.

General Education Program: Completion of courses in this program fulfills the “Written Communication” requirements for the Communication and Critical Thinking portion of the SDSU General Education program.

Upper Division Courses: The department offers writing (“W”) courses that satisfy the university’s Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement. The department also offers a required course in the teaching of composition for students in the Single Subject Teaching Credential in English degree program.

The Major

Rhetoric refers to the study and uses of written, spoken, and visual language. From antiquity to the present, rhetoric has included both theory and practice, looking to produce and understand persuasion in social, political, and institutional settings. Rhetoric reflects on the nature and function of discourse in action, investigates literacy and literacy instruction, and offers frameworks for understanding technical and scientific writing as artifacts of communal practice. The primary areas of study for the major are rhetorical theory, literacy and the teaching of writing, and professional (primarily technical and scientific) writing and public discourse.

The purpose of rhetorical education extends beyond understanding literacy as basic skills. The major teaches literacy as an array of advanced language and critical thinking abilities that enhance a person’s participation in professional, civic, and personal life. It offers sustained inquiry into the nature of writing and its relationship to knowledge, culture, and professional practice. It involves students in composing a variety of texts for multiple audiences and contexts. It provides a specifically rhetorical framework for analyzing and producing texts that circulate across disciplines and writing cultures.

International and native students who want to develop their analytical reading and writing abilities, and those interested in pursuing graduate work or entering more writing-intensive careers will benefit from the major. While virtually all professions are enhanced by skills in writing, critical reading, and analytical thinking, the major may be particularly beneficial to students seeking careers in law, business, science, engineering, non-profits, and technical and scientific writing. Teaching at the primary to university levels also offers opportunities for rhetoric majors who will continue their education at the graduate level.

The major includes five core courses intended to introduce students to the study of rhetoric, which incorporates a broad range of topics, including rhetorical theory, cultural rhetorics, and digital rhetoric. The field of rhetoric is interdisciplinary in nature and includes coursework in rhetorical history, gender and rhetoric issues, technical and scientific writing, political rhetoric, and culture. Students select the courses that best suit their future career and educational goals.

Advising

All College of Arts and Letters majors are urged to consult with their department adviser as soon as possible; they are required to meet with their department adviser within the first two semesters after declaration or change of major.

Graduate Information

Associateships

Graduate teaching associateships (GTA) in Rhetoric and Writing Studies are available to a limited number of qualified graduate students. In order to be qualified for this appointment, applicants must have successfully completed RWS 609  or an equivalent course. Teaching associates must attend weekly meetings during the first semester of their associateship, and have the consent of the RWS GTA program director. Additional information is available on the Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies website (https://rhetoric.sdsu.edu/internships-and-employment/ta-program).

General Information

The Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies, in the College of Arts and Letters, offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts degree in Rhetoric and Writing Studies. Rhetoric is a field of research, teaching, and theory concerned broadly with literacy and spoken, visual, and written discourse. It emphasizes the centrality of discourse (especially written discourse) to all disciplinary and cultural communities, knowledge formation, learning, and professional work. The program builds on the diverse interests of faculty in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies to bring together rhetorical theory, history of rhetoric, composition studies, literacy, writing pedagogy, discourse theory, professional writing, and writing in the disciplines. Coursework provides a coherent platform for inquiry into the diverse ways in which literacy and writing are used in academic, professional, and cultural contexts.

The Master of Arts degree in Rhetoric and Writing Studies is a 30-unit program that provides preparation for students wanting to pursue doctoral-level study in the area of Rhetoric and Writing Studies or in related disciplines or for students who plan to terminate their studies at the M.A. level. In addition to the general program, the curriculum offers specializations in the teaching of writing and in professional writing.

The general program is a customizable path that prepares students for advanced study or a range of careers in writing-related fields. The specialization in the teaching of writing prepares students to teach writing in colleges and furthers the professional development of secondary school teachers. The specialization in professional writing prepares students for careers as professional writers in business, industry, public agencies, and government within the broader disciplinary context of Rhetoric and Writing Studies, as well as to teach technical and professional writing at colleges or in specific training settings.

The program includes a teaching internship for students in the teaching of writing specialization and a technical writing internship for students in the technical and professional writing specialization and, where appropriate, special study based on work experience.

Admission to Graduate Study

There are three steps required to apply to the Rhetoric and Writing Studies graduate program. The application cycle opens October 1st for admission beginning in the fall of the following year.

Step 1: Apply to the University

All applicants to the program must first fill out an online application on Cal State Apply and pay the required fee. An SDSU EMPL ID number will then be assigned which allows tracking of application status online. When completing the Cal State Apply step, applicants to the Rhetoric and Writing Studies M.A. programs must select one of the following as their Major/Program objective:

• 112201 Rhetoric and Writing Studies: Individualized Study (MA)

• 112202 Rhetoric and Writing Studies: Teaching of Writing (MA)

• 112203 Rhetoric and Writing Studies: Tech/Prof Writing (MA)

Step 2: Submit Official Transcripts and Test Scores to the San Diego State University Graduate Admissions Office

• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended

  • Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.

  • Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree.

  • Electronic delivery of transcripts is preferred, but if sending paper copies they must be in sealed envelopes and sent to:

    • Graduate Admissions Document Processing Unit
      San Diego State University
      San Diego, CA 92182-8225

• English proficiency test scores

  • All graduate applicants (regardless of citizenship status) applying to SDSU from an international institution where the medium of instruction was not English, must submit proof of English proficiency. The Graduate Admissions website (https://admissions.sdsu.edu/graduate/steps-apply) maintains a list of accepted tests and minimum score requirements.

• Scores for the GRE are NOT required

Step 3: Program Application

The following admissions materials must be submitted electronically to the Rhetoric and Writing Studies program through Interfolio. Each year’s unique Interfolio link is available at https://rhetoric.sdsu.edu/academics/graduate

• A 750-1000 Word Statement of Purpose

• Résumé/Curriculum Vitae

• Writing Sample (a minimum ten pages)

• Three Letters of Recommendation

Faculty

Chair: Valentine, Kathryn M., Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies (B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara; M.A., California State University, Chico; Ph.D., Michigan Technological University)

Undergraduate Adviser: Bordelon, Suzanne M., Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies (B.A., University of Washington; M.A., California State University, Chico; Ph.D., University of Oregon)

Graduate Adviser: Sheppard, Jennifer A., Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies (B.A., M.A., California State University, Chico; Ph.D., Michigan Technological University)

Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty:

Bekins, Linn K., Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies (B.A., University of San Diego; M.A., University of British Columbia, Canada; Ph.D., University of Utah)

Edwards, Dustin, Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies (B.A., M.A., New Mexico State University; Ph.D., Miami University)

Salas, Consuelo C., Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies (B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of Texas at El Paso)

Additional Faculty:

Corcoran, Lucas, Assistant Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies, SDSU Imperial Valley (B.A., M.Phil., Ph.D., City College of New York)

Lecturers:

Anaya, Amber E., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Autman, Hasan, Ph.D., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Baker, Lea, M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Barksdale, Gretchen E., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Borgen, Linda C., Ph.D., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Centanni, Louis A., M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Cissel, Sean F., M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Cook, Allie, M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Copeland, Matthew, M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Costello, Matthew J., M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

De Los Santos, René, Ph.D., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Farugia, Alex, M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Feigner, Matthew M., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Fimbres, Sandy M., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Flewelling, Erin K., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Garcia, Mikayla, M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Hall, Joshua J., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Hess Julia M., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Holslin, Jill M., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Hubbard, Jacob R., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Hughes, Katie D., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Jenkins, Benjamin C., M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Judd, David B., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Kerford, Chelsea A., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Kofford, Bret M., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies, SDSU Imperial Valley

Kroeber, Kurt, M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Linfor, Cali, M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Leon, Alicia, M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Ligorsky, Debra, Ph.D., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Linfor, Cali, M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Madden, Jamie L., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Meehan, Nicole, M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Merschel, Bree, H., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Michener, Roderick T., M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Nerhan, Nolana M., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Nye, Emily, Ph.D., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Parker, Jason W., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Phillips, Jason, M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Pliskin, Dylan, M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Powers, Andrew A., M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Robertson, Betsy, M.F.A. Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Sager, Jennifer Y.,  M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Scott, Wendy, M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Simmons, Candice G., Ph.D., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Sokolowska Birch, Monika, M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Sullivan, Sydney, Ph.D., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Tanori, Sarah, M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Taylor, Kimball, M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies    

Tempelton, Janet, M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Thompson, Caitlyn, M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Thompson, Cara, M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Thompson, Tyler W., M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Underwood, Michael R., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Vega, Adrian, M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Warnke, Brett., M.F.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

White, Siobhan T., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Whitworth, Emma Lee, M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Whitworth, Nathan, M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Williams, Marla G., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Emeritus Faculty:

Boyd, Richard B., Ph.D., 1996-2020, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Bryson, Liane, M.A., 1996-2016, Lecturer in Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Chase, Geoffrey W., Ph.D., 2001-2015, Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Fielden, Carl J., M.A., Rhetoric and Writing Studies, 1985-2022, Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Hindman, Jane E., Ph.D., 1996-2007, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Johns, Ann M., Ph.D., 1975-2002, Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies and Linguistics [Senate Distinguished Professor]

McClish, Glen A., 1999-2023, Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies (B.A., M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley)

Morgan, Patricia, M.A., 1985-2016, Lecturer in Rhetoric and Writing Studies Deborah Poole, Ph.D., 1989-2015, Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies and Linguistics

Ornatowski, Cezar M., Ph.D., 1992-2022,  Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Poole, Deborah,  Ph.D., 1989-2015, Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies and Linguistics

Quandahl, Ellen M., Ph.D., 1994-2016, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies Jane E. Robinett, Ph.D., 1993-2010, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Robinett, Jane E. Ph.D., 1993-2010, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies 

Sweedler-Brown, Carol O., Ph.D., 1975-2005, Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies Julie A. Williams, M.A., 1995-2020, Lecturer in Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Werry, Christopher C., PhD., 2000-2022, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Williams, Julie A. M.A., 1995-2020, Lecturer in Rhetoric and Writing Studies

Programs

• Professional Writing Certificate
• Rhetoric and Writing Studies Minor
• Rhetoric and Writing Studies, B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Rhetoric and Writing Studies, M.A.
• Rhetoric and Writing Studies, Professional Writing Specialization, M.A.
• Rhetoric and Writing Studies, Teaching of Writing Specialization, M.A.
• Teaching of Writing Advanced Certificate

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