Majors and Minors: Undergraduate Writing at Stony Brook
B.A. in RHETORIC and WRITING
Department of Writing and Rhetoric, College of Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate Program Director: Patricia Medved, patricia.medved@stonybrook.edu
Writing and Rhetoric Office: Humanities 2005
Phone: (631) 632-7390
Department Website
The Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing provides practical and theoretical training in writing and composing, rhetorical literacy and analysis, and communication and presentation. Students learn the foundations of rhetoric, including how individuals use language, symbols, and texts in various ways to generate meaning and develop worldviews. The program prepares students to apply the art of persuasion to real world situations through developing and analyzing various texts, verbal and nonverbal communication, digital, multimedia, and visual content, and other creative works. Simultaneously, students build competencies as scholars and leaders in their communities, to help them understand, assess, and think critically about rhetorical influences that have the power to shape, reinforce, and intervene in systemic inequalities, discrimination, and injustice. Students emerge from this degree prepared with both the theoretical and technical skills they need to successfully process, synthesize, and evaluate persuasive appeals and communication. They are empowered to become critical consumers and producers of messages and can apply their skills to a wide variety of professional, civic, and academic contexts, preparing them for competitive careers in an evolving global workforce that depends on exceptional writing skills and rhetorical competencies. This degree is jointly offered by the Department of Writing and Rhetoric and the School of Communication and Journalism.
Click the link to find more information about course requirements.
MINORS
The Department of Writing and Rhetoric offers two distinct minors, the Writing and Rhetoric minor and the Professional Writing minor. The Writing and Rhetoric minor is 18 credits, and allows students to enhance their writing skills by exploring a broad range of courses in writing, rhetoric, critical thinking, and research. Our Professional Writing minor is 21 credits, and enables students to concentrate on rhetorical, ethical, and practical dimensions of 21st century workplace writing appropriate to their professional goals. Both minors train students to think critically about the challenges and possibilities related to writing and rhetoric at school, work, and in community and civic settings. The Writing and Rhetoric minor is a good choice for students who want maximum flexibility and course options. The Professional Writing minor is a good choice for students who want a more structured, professionally oriented program.
Click here to find out more about the Writing and Rhetoric Minor and the Professional Writing Minor at Stony Brook.
To see a full list of active WRT courses, visit the Undergraduate Course Catalog.
Listen and watch below to three of our Writing Minors describe why they recommend the Writing Minors at Stony Brook.
Amy Ngo is a current Junior studying Chemistry with a double minor in Writing & Rhetoric and Health & Wellness. Her writing minor has allowed her to blossom as a writer, communicator, and scientist during her journey at Stony Brook. She always enjoyed writing in her free time to distress and unleash her creativity and is so glad she had the opportunity to take writing classes that allowed her to relive the same feelings. Aside from writing, she spends her time in chemistry research and development labs and dedicating her time to her role as President of SBU's Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers.
Alexsandra Hernandez is currently a senior here at Stony Brook. She is a biology major with a specialization in genetics and a minor in professional writing. Her favorite writing course taken so far is WRT 302 - fiction writing. After she graduates, she aspires to attend medical school in relation to oncology.
Victoria DeAngelis is a senior double-majoring in English and Psychology. She's employed at Stony Brook's Writing Center and is the 2020-21 writing minor student representative. Victoria enjoys yoga, journaling, drinking coffee, painting, playing guitar, and spending time in nature. After graduation, she's seeking a job in professional writing or publishing and hopes to one day travel the world.