The Bachelor of Arts in English with a writing concentration is designed for those students who wish to combine their love of reading with a close study of the elements of writing in preparation for a future in which writing will play a central role. This emphasis has been significantly redesigned since the implementation of the new General Education Program, and continues to be updated to take advantage of new course offerings in communication, design, and technology.

The Creative Writing Specialization

Winthrop has a rich history in Creative Writing, and students in the track usually select their electives from courses including WRIT 307 (Fiction Writing), WRIT 316 (Poetry Writing), WRIT 507 (Advanced Fiction Workshop), WRIT 516 (Advanced Poetry Workshop), WRIT 530 (Script Writing), and ENGL 510 (when taught as The Creative Process). The regular instructors for these courses are full faculty members, including poet Susan Ludvigson (professor emeritus) and fiction writers Max Childers and Scott Ely. A number of other faculty members are also writers; you may sometimes hear them share their work at Open Mike nights sponsored by the Winthrop Literary Society or at Open Mike nights in the Rock Hill area. Creative writers find a number of outlets to share their work, including The Anthology and several creative writing competitions on campus. 

The Specialization in Writing for Business and Technology

Writing for Business and Technology is designed for those who plan to go directly from college into a non-academic job in public relations, content providing, technical writing, publishing, non-governmental organizations and charities, or some other area of government or private industry. Such positions are available to people who can communicate effectively in speech and writing, so students in this emphasis balance their work in literature with courses in subjects like web design, business communication, technical writing, or public relations.

The track consists of:

The English Core: 15 hrs

ENGL 203 (3 hours)                                                                                           

ENGL 208 (3 hours)
ENGL 211 (3 hours)

ENGL 300 (3 hours)

ENGL 305 (3 hours)

ENGL 491 (0 hours)

 

The Elements of Writing: Rhetoric, Language, and Audience: 12 hrs

Select from WRIT 300, 351, 465, 500, 501, ENGL 507, ENGL 303, IMCO 105, MCOM 302

 

Internship (ENGL 433 or WRIT 433)                                    0-3 hrs**

 

SELECT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS (SPECIALIZATIONS):

Creative Writing                                                                    9-12 hrs**

Select at least two from WRIT 307, 316, 507, 516, 530; and no more than two from ENGL 317, ENGL 325, ENGL 501, ENGL 504, CSCI 101, or ENGL 310, ENGL 311, ENGL 320, ENGL 321, or WRIT 510.

 

OR

Writing for Business and Technology                                  9-12 hrs**

Select from WRIT 366, 566, WRIT 510, ARTS 281, 370, 371, 311, BADM 180, CSCI 101, MCOM 241, MCOM 340, MCOM 341, MCOM 370, MCOM 471, MGMT 355, MKTG 380, or BADM 411.

 

Hours in the Major:  39

Students completing the required program for the B.A. degree in English must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language at or above the third semester college level. This requirement may be met by a satisfactory score on a recognized proficiency examination or by passing any foreign language course numbered 201 or any course with 201 as a prerequisite. A maximum of 3 semester hours of foreign language courses may be applied to Area I and a maximum of 3 semester hours may be applied to Area V of the Winthrop University General Education Distribution requirements.  For a list of science course recommendations for non-science majors, click here.

The student must attain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 or better in courses taken at Winthrop and included in the 33-39 semester hours of the required program. The student must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of ENGL courses in residence at Winthrop University. In addition to the 33-39 semester hours of the required program, the student must select and complete a minor. Within the 124 semester hours required for this degree, the student must include a minimum of 40 hours in courses numbered above 299 and complete PLSC. 201 or ECO 103 or HIS 211 and 212. Students desiring certification as teachers of English should consult the specific program for that track.

Click here to see the Professional Communications Track (catalogs before 2004-2005).