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Benjamin D. Caldwell, PhD
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Popplewell Hall 121
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Master of Applied Arts in Written Communication

Course Descriptions

Courses offered in the English Department

ENG 500 Literature for Adolescents (3) Sp. A study of literature for young adults designed to increase appreciation of the genre through literary evaluation. Students will consider trends in publish, the issues behind censorship, and the history of literature for young adults. Prerequisite: Senior standing at MWSU with successful completion of EDU Junior Experience or BS or BA degree.

ENG/EDU 501 Topics in Teaching Writing (1-2 credits each; may be repeated for a total of four credits). Writing seminar for teachers or pre-service teachers with senior standing at MWSU which addresses a particular issue related to literacy teaching. Prerequisite: Senior standing at MWSU with successful completion of EDU Junior Experience or BS or BA degree.

ENG/EDU 502 Professional Learning Community (1-2 credits each; may be repeated for a total of four credits). Professional Learning Communities emphasize enhancing student achievement by involving classroom teachers in a cycle of inquiry, reflection, and action in regard to a particular issue regarding literacy instruction. Teachers question common practice, explore specific problems, consider research and evidence that proposes solutions, try some of those solutions in their teaching, and evaluate the results, starting the cycle anew. Prerequisite: Senior standing at MWSU with successful completion of EDU Junior Experience or BS or BA degree.

ENG 503 Literature for Children (3) F. A study of literature for children designed to increase appreciation of children's books through literary evaluation. Students will read and evaluate picture books, junior novels and poetry. Prerequisite: Senior standing at MWSU with successful completion of EDU Junior Experience or BS or BA degree.

ENG/EDU 512 Teaching Writing with Technology (3). In this course, participants will learn how to use technology to improve writing and learning in their classrooms. Students will investigate, experiment with and use word processing, spread sheet, electronic images, presentation software, and web pages. With these technologies, students will:

  • Design writing assignments that follow the writing process;
  • Review software and Web design considerations;
  • Critique their own designs as well as existing software and Web programs for possible incorporation into their curriculum;
  • Learn how to harness the power of the Internet to create writing and learning communities;
  • Develop a CD portfolio of course lessons and assignments for use in their teaching.

Prerequisite: Senior standing at MWSU with successful completion of EDU Junior Experience or BS or BA degree. Participants should have a basic understanding of computer applications.

ENG 540 Writing for Management and Supervision (3) Sp (odd-numbered years). Investigation of traditional business genres such as correspondence and reports, with special attention to writing situations common for supervisors and managers, such as evaluations, directives, and employment documents, as well as managing the writing of others. Includes examination of the influence of transmission media and rhetorical context on written communication in professional settings.

ENG 567 Grammar and the Teaching of Grammar (3) F (odd-numbered years). (Prairie Lands Writing Project graduate course - certificate option) Explores various definitions of grammar, review knowledge base required by teachers, demonstrates teaching methods that illustrate current theory and research. Prerequisite: Senior standing at MWSU with successful completion of EDU Junior Experience or BS or BA degree.

ENG 573 History of the English Language (3) F (even-numbered years). From the development of the Indo-European language family to English as a world language, this course explores the influence of historical and cultural developments, internal changes, and language attitudes on the English language. Students will come to understand how languages begin and why they change, how language is a product of its socio-cultural history, and why there are dialectal differences in the English heard around the world. Prerequisite: Senior standing at MWSU with successful completion of EDU Junior Experience or BS or BA degree.

ENG 590 Selected Topics in Literature (3) DD. A detailed examination of a specific topic in literature. The course may focus on a literary genre, theme, period, movement, or authority. Topic will change each time the course is offered. Prerequisite: Admission to graduate study at Missouri Western.

ENG 601 Practicum in the Teaching of College Writing (3) F. A survey of major concepts and issues in the study of writing, especially as applied to teaching composition. Practices in writing pedagogy are also discussed, and students' teaching of composition is observed and explored. Required of and enrollment limited to new teachers of English 104. May not be repeated for credit toward graduate degree.

ENG/EDU 610 Prairie Lands Writing Project Invitational Institute (6). This four-week writing workshop (plus spring orientation and fall reflection) brings together teachers, grades k - 16, as they prepare to assume leadership roles that promote good writing in their own schools. Participants will:

  • Write, revise, and publish their own writing;
  • Study current theory and research, especially research of teachers of writing;
  • Share classroom expertise, especially their most successful writing practices.

Prerequisite: Admission into the Invitational Institute: at least one year of successful teaching experience; a commitment to writing as a way to learn and to communicate learning; recommendation from building administrator, department head or Prairie Lands Teacher Consultant; potential for leadership; successful meeting with Prairie Lands interview team.

ENG 616 Internship in Writing Program Administration (3) F, Sp, Su. Practical application of rhetoric and writing theory in a campus setting such as the Composition program, Developmental Writing program, or Center for Academic Support; correlates academic preparation with on-site professional experience (thirty clock hours of work for each hour of credit). Projects developed in the course may be used in the thesis project. Prerequisite: Admission to graduate study at Missouri Western and departmental approval.

ENG 620 History and Theory of Rhetoric (3) Sp. Survey of major rhetorical theories, with attention to their use in creating and evaluating written discourse.

ENG 664 Composition Theory and Pedagogy (3) F, Sp. Survey of composition theory as a field of study, examining major issues and theories in the study of writing.

ENG 690 Capstone Project (3) Sp, F. Provides direction and support for students during the semester in which they are creating materials for the capstone project in Written Communication. Capstone project must include a portfolio of professional materials and reflective writing and a scholarly paper that reviews major theories in the student's field of study. Student must pass oral exam on the capstone project for credit to be recorded. May be repeated for up to 6 hours. Prerequisite: Successful completion of at least 27 hours of graduate credit and permission of department.

ENG 695 Thesis (1-6) F, Sp, Su. Provides direction and support for students during the semesters in which they are researching and writing their thesis. Thesis must be approved by thesis committee and student must pass oral exam on the thesis for credit to be recorded. May be repeated for up to 9 hours. Prerequisite: Successful completion of at least 18 hours of graduate credit and permission of department.

EPR 620 Proposal and Grant Writing (3) Sp (even numbered years). Practice in writing proposals and grant applications for a wide range of organizations, including business and industry, non-profits, and educational institutions.

ETC 508 Technical Editing (3) F (odd-numbered years). Emphasis on the role of the editor in organizational settings, including creating successful writer/editor collaboration. Practice in editing documents for grammar, syntax, organization, style, emphasis, document design, graphics, and user-centered design. Introduction to technology for creating, publishing, and distributing technical documents.

ETC 520 Publications Management (3) Sp (odd-numbered years) Workshop-oriented practice in producing and editing a variety of documents, as well as management of documentation projects and project teams. Discussion of the role of technical writers and managers in adapting texts for discourse communities and of current issues in technical writing. Included will be instruction in grammar and usage. Prerequisite: ETC 420 or admission to graduate study at Missouri Western

ETC 600 Technical Communication Theory and Practice (3) F. Introduces the issues, goals, and methodologies of professional and technical communication. Examines definitions and histories of the field; relevant theories, practices and genres; data gathering and research; technology-related issues; ethical and intercultural implications; and professionalism.

ETC 612 Seminar in Professional Writing (3) DD. Selected topics in workplace writing and applied rhetorical or discourse theory. Prerequisite: ETC 600.

ETC 616 Internship in Technical Communication (3) F, Sp, Su. Practical application of technical and organizational communication skills in a professional setting; correlates academic preparation with on-site professional experience (thirty clock hours of work for each hour of credit). Writing or design projects developed in the course may be tested and used in the thesis project. Prerequisite: Admission to graduate study at Missouri Western and departmental approval.

ETC 690 Capstone Project (3) Sp, F. Provides direction and support for students during the semester in which they are creating materials for the capstone project in Written Communication. Capstone project must include a portfolio of professional materials and reflective writing and a scholarly paper that reviews major theories in the student's field of study. Student must pass oral exam on the capstone project for credit to be recorded. May be repeated for up to 6 hours. Prerequisite: Successful completion of at least 27 hours of graduate credit and permission of department.

ETC 695 Thesis (1-6) F, Sp, Su. Provides direction and support for students during the semesters in which they are researching and writing their thesis. Thesis must be approved by thesis committee and student must pass oral exam on the thesis for credit to be recorded. May be repeated for up to 9 hours. Prerequisite: Successful completion of at least 18 hours of graduate credit and permission of department.

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