Montclair State University

Apply Now

Student Toolbox
The Writing Center

Graduate Programs in Writing

Course Descriptions

To complete the emphasis requirements for the MA in English with Writing Studies Emphasis, students need to take four writing studies courses (see below), amounting to 12 credits. In addition, they need to take another 12 units of electives, which can include any graduate English courses (including Writing courses) not used to fulfill the emphasis requirements. Finally, MA graduate students must complete a Master’s Thesis, course number ENGL 698. See the Partial Listing of Writing Studies Theses.

The Teaching Writing Certificate Program consists of four courses taken over a one- to two-year period. Two courses are required: ENGL 586 and ENGL 588 (588 may be substituted, per adviser approval). The other two may be chosen from the remaining courses in the program.

Number Name & Description Credits PDF of Syllabus
ENWR583 (formerly ENGL583) Teaching Writing Through Literature
The course considers the best theories and practices for teaching writing through literature. Students will also examine the social and historical intersections of literary studies and writing pedagogy.		 3 Course Description
ENWR586 (formerly ENGL586) Teaching Writing and the Basic Writer
This course explores the social, educational and linguistic foundations of writing instruction with special attention to the problems of the basic writer. Practicing and prospective teachers examine the theory, research and practice of writing instruction through a process of inquiry, workshops and work on their own writing.		 3

Isaacs

Restaino
ENWR588 (formerly ENGL588) Research in Writing Studies
An introduction to representative empirical research in composition pedagogy and writing studies. In the first half of the semester students will be introduced to a range of methodologies used in research in writing and composition studies. Inquiry models will include survey, ethnography, case study, the interview. In the second half of the semester students will explore a research question using one or more of the methodologies taught.		 3 Isaacs
ENWR598 (currently ENGL590) Rhetorical Theories and the Teaching of Writing
An inquiry into the rhetorical and theoretical roots of current questions, methods and practices of writing instruction--to investigate the possibility that both teaching writing and writing itself are deeply constructed endeavors, rooted in structures of language perception, knowing and being that are often discussed in theoretical discourse.		 3 Whitney
ENWR590 Graduate Writing Seminar
Writing in one or more of the following: essay, scholarly research, autobiography, creative non-fiction, poetry, drama, screenwriting. May be repeated three times for a maximum of twelve semester hours as long as the topic is different.
Prerequisites: Departmental approval.		 3
ENWR600 Seminar in Writing Studies
Advanced study of a topic, issue or theory in the field of Writing Studies. See current announcement for specific topic. Students may repeat the Writing Studies Seminar up to 2 times for a total of 9 credits as long as the topic is different each time.
Topics include: Feminist and Critical Writing Pedagogies, Ethnography and Auto-ethnography, Approaches to Writing Assessment, Teaching Writing through Technology, and Writing Center Theory and Practice.		 3

Assessment

Community/Activist Writing

Teaching Writing with Technology

Writing Center Theory and Practice

Current Schedule:

Summer 2009: Seminar in Writing Studies: Teaching Writing with Technology
Fall 2009: Rhetorical Theories and the Teaching of Writing
Spring 2010: Teaching Writing through Literature
Spring 2010: Research in Writing Studies
Summer 2010: Seminar in Writing Studies: Teaching Writing with Technology (Knight)
Summer 2010: Seminar in Writing Studies: Community-Based and Activist Writing (Restaino)
Fall 2010: Teaching Writing and the Basic Writer (Isaacs) -- ENWR586
Fall 2010: Theory and Practice of Writing Centers (Knight) -- ENWR585
Spring 2011: Rhetorical Theories and the Teaching of Writing (Whitney) -- ENWR598
Spring 2011: Research in Writing Studies (Restaino) -- ENWR588
Summer 2011: Teaching Writing through Literature (Knight) -- ENWR583
Fall 2011: Teaching Writing and the Basic Writer (Knight) -- ENWR586
Fall 2011: Community Based Writing (Restaino) -- ENWR600
Spring 2012: Seminar: Digital Media and Composition: Writing with Text and Image (Dadas) -- ENWR600
Summer 2012: Teaching Writing through Literature (Knight) -- ENWR583
Fall 2012: Teaching Writing and the Basic Writer (Knight) -- ENWR586
Fall 2012: Rhetorical Theory and the Teaching of Writing (Restaino) -- ENWR588
Spring 2013: Research in Writing Studies (Isaacs) -- ENWR588



Course descriptions for upcoming semesters can be found on the main English department web site; please note that only ENWR courses apply to the Writing Emphasis (in the MA) or the Certificate in Teaching Writing.

 

For further information, contact Professor Emily Isaacs (Certificate Program) or Professor Jon Greenberg (English Graduate Program) or see the Graduate School.