Rhetoric and Writing Studies

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

Undergraduate Information

Faculty

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

Undergraduate Adviser: Richard B. Boyd, Emeritus Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies (B.A., University of San Diego; Ph.D., University of California, San Diego)

Graduate Adviser: Jennifer A. Sheppard, 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:

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

Cezar M. Ornatowski, Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies (B.A., Mickiewicz University; M.A., Boston College; Ph.D., University of California, San Diego)

Linn K. Bekins, 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)

Paul A. Minifee, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies (B.A., Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin)

Kathryn M. Valentine, 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)

Christopher C. Werry, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies (B.A., Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand; M.A., Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University)

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

Additional Faculty:

Lucas Corcoran, SDSU Imperial Valley (Ph.D., The Graduate Center, City University of New York)

Lecturers:

Robin Avner, Ph.D.

Candace Boeck, M.A., M.B.A.

Linda Borgen, M.A.

Louis Centanni, M.F.A.

Sean Cissel, M.S., M.F.A.

Matthew Copeland, M.F.A.

Matthew Costello, M.F.A.

Carl Fielden, M.A.

Sandy Fimbres, M.A.

Hedda Fish, M.A.

Erin Flewelling, M.A.

Rhonda Goodman, M.A.  

Joshua Hall, M.A.  

Catherine Hoffman, M.A.

Jill Holslin, M.A.

Katie Hughes, M.A.

Millie Jones, M.A.

Bret Kofford, M.A., SDSU Imperial Valley

Cali Linfor, M.F.A.

Jamie Madden, M.A.

Nolana Nerhan, M.A.

Jason Parker, M.A.

Jennifer Sager,  M.A.

Beth Sherman, M.F.A.

Celia Sigmon, M.F.A.

Robert Stein, M.A.

Janet Tempelton, M.A.

Cara Thompson, M.A.

Tyler Thompson, M.F.A.

Michael Underwood, M.A.

Siobhan White, M.A.

Emma Lee Whitworth, M.A.

Marla Williams, M.A.

Emeritus Faculty:

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

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

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

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

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

Ellen M. Quandahl, 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

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

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 rhetoric, and digital rhetorics. 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.

Impacted Program

The rhetoric and writing studies major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the rhetoric and writing studies major, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Complete preparation for the major;
2. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap for the recommended courses needed to fulfill your major requirements. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their majors and to identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement.

Graduate Information

Associateships

Graduate teaching associateships (GTA) in rhetoric and writing studies are available to a limited number of qualified graduate students. Teaching associates must have completed RWS 609 , attend RWS 796A  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 (http://rhetoric.sdsu.edu/employment/index.htm).

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

Students will be admitted only in the fall semester. See Rhetoric and Writing Studies website for deadlines: http://rhetoric.sdsu.edu/graduate/how_to_apply.htm.

To be admitted into the program, students must satisfy the general requirements for admission to graduate study at the university with classified graduate standing, as described in Admission and Registration . In addition applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester units (90 quarter units) attempted in their bachelor’s degree studies.

Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www2.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee.

All applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies.

Graduate Admissions

The following materials should be submitted as a complete package directly to:

Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

1. Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all postsecondary institutions 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. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
2. GRE scores (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682);
3. English language score, if medium of instruction was in a language other than English (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682).

Department of Rhetoric and Writing Studies

The following admissions materials must be submitted electronically via Cal State Apply at https://www2.calstate.edu/apply:

1. Letter of application;
2. Curriculum vitae or resume;
3. A 750-1000 word statement of purpose;
4. Writing sample (minimum 10 pages total, in one or separate documents);
5. Three letters of recommendation.

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