Students are placed in introductory writing courses according to SAT verbal and ACT exam scores and a writing assessment administered during the first week of classes. Those scoring in the upper ranges of SAT/ACT exams may apply for enrollment in Writing 120, Honors in College Composition (offered in the spring semester only), by completing the writing and grammar examination administered during the fall semester.
Lower-Division
WRI 097 (O) WRITING SKILLS TUTORIAL An intensive one-on-one tutorial required of those needing extra work on the issues of grammatical correctness and sentence crafting that are essential to shaping ideas clearly. Includes a laboratory fee.
WRI 099 (3) WRITING WORKSHOP A preparatory course for students not yet performing at college-entrance level in writing. The course includes instruction and practice in text comprehension in addition to the whole-text and sentence-level skills of good writers. Designed to prepare students for Writing 110.
Note: This course does not count toward the minimum 128 units required for graduation. Offered only to first-time freshmen through the LEAP program.
WRI 101 (4) AMERICAN ENGLISH FOR COLLEGE LEVEL WRITING/READING PROFICIENCY I A review of sentence-level grammar, paragraph organization, development of the essay, and appropriate vocabulary for academic writing. Develops analytical critical thinking skills needed to write in response to a variety of published materials appropriate to academic work (texts, articles, political commentary, etc.). Vocabulary development is a crucial component of this course. Develops the student’s ability to read, analyze, interpret, and respond both objectively and subjectively to published materials that are linguistically, conceptually, and culturally challenging. Emphasizes writing as a process, self-editing skills, and academic English within the cultural context.
Prerequisite: A writing/reading/Placement exam for purposes of evaluation. Academic Writing Holistic Reading Scale.
WRI 110 (5) COLLEGE COMPOSITION: WRITING AND RESEARCH–GE A comprehensive first-year composition experience in reading, writing, and critical thinking, centered on essay. The course emphasizes the processes of writing thesis-based manuscripts as an evolving product, with attention to sentence-level conventions and coherence among well-developed paragraphs. Library research and writing the source-based essay are major components of the course.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory performance on SAT verbal or ACT exam or Writing 099 or 101.
WRI 115 (3) COLLEGE COMPOSITION: WRITING–GE A first-year composition experience in reading, writing, and critical thinking, centered on the essay. The course emphasizes the processes of writing thesis-based manuscripts as an evolving product, with attention to sentence-level conventions and coherence among well-developed paragraphs.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory performance on SAT verbal or ACT exam or Writing 099 or 101.
WRI 116 (2) COLLEGE COMPOSITION: RESEARCH–GE A first-year composition experience in reading, writing, and critical thinking, centered on the essay. The courses emphasizes the process of writing as well as the manuscript as an evolving product. Library research and writing the source-based essay are the major components of the course.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory performance on SAT verbal or ACT exam or Writing 115.
WRI 120 (3) HONORS IN college COMPOSITION–GE Advanced application of writing as a process, in both technological and traditional formats, for the student who has mastered the basic conventions of writing. Preparation of the research paper, utilizing library research tools and strategies.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of a departmental qualifying examination.
WRI 215 (1) NEWSPAPER WORKSHOP Writing for publication: techniques and methods of mass communication. Laboratory experience in constructing one or more of the news forms of the weekly student publication: news reporting; feature writing, editorials, photojournalism. Required of staff members of The Point Weekly. Writing 215, 216 and 217 may be repeated up to a combined total of eight units.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the College Composition requirement (5 units).
WRI 216 (1) LITERARY MAGAZINE WORKSHOP Hands-on production of PLNU’s literary magazine, from concept to finished product. Open to all students. Writing 215, 216, and 217 may be repeated up to a combined total of eight units. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the College Composition requirement (5 units).
WRI 217 (1) YEARBOOK WORKSHOP Writing for publication. Includes one or more of the following: planning and design, writing and editing, photojournalism, production and distribution. Required of staff members of The Mariner. Writing 215, 216 and 217 may be repeated up to a combined total of eight units.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the College Composition requirement (5 units).
WRI 220 (3) Creative Writing: Mixed GenreA general introduction and overview of creative writing (including poetry, fiction, drama, and creative nonfiction) that serves majors, potential major, and other interested students. Attention will be given to methodology in teaching creative writing. Non-majors are strongly encouraged to complete Writing 220 before taking Writing 321, 322 or 323.
WRI 250 (3) INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM The study of the philosophy and practice of journalism with an emphasis on news gathering and writing as a process in traditional and current technological formats. Explores broadcasting, electronic media, and the role of journalists in society.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the College Composition requirement (5 units).
Upper-Division
WRI 310 (3) ADVANCED REPORTING Concentrated application of journalism techniques. Stresses off-campus reporting, interviewing and news gathering, journalism responsibility, and ethics. Addresses the news organization as a business and its impact on the reporter.
Prerequisite: Writing 250.
WRI 311 (2) RADIO NEWS WRITING Designed to provide an understanding of broadcast journalism including writing for television and radio newscasts. For those entering journalism as well as those who will deal with broadcast media in other professions. Production and broadcast of news on the university’s radio station are required.
Prerequisite: Writing 250 or consent of instructor.
WRI 312 (3) BROADCAST NEWS WRITING Building on concepts learned in Writing 311, this course concentrates on writing to pictures and sounds. For those wanting proficiency in hard news, features and commentary directed at viewers and listeners.
Prerequisites: Writing 250, Communication 225.
Corequisite: Communication 445/Writing 445.
WRI 313 (3) ELECTRONIC JOURNALISM A course designed to show the variety of ways computers are used in the practice of journalism. Areas covered include on-line publishing, computer-assisted reporting, internet research methods, and writing for electronic media.
Prerequisite: Writing 250.
WRI 315 (3) ADVANCED ENGLISH COMPOSITION
A study of rhetorical theory and its application to the student’s own writing and to the teaching of writing.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the College Composition requirement (5 units).
WRI 321 (3) CREATIVE WRITING: POETRY Comprehensive instruction and guided workshop in writing poetry. Attention is also given to methodology in teaching poetry writing and to finding publication.
WRI 322 (3) CREATIVE WRITING: FICTION Comprehensive instruction and guided workshop in writing fiction. Attention is also given to methodology in teaching fiction writing and to finding publication.
WRI 323 (3) CREATIVE WRITING: CREATIVE NONFICTION Comprehensive instruction and guided workshop in creative non-fiction writing, including personal essays and memoirs. Attention is also given to methodology in teaching non-fiction writing and to finding publication.
WRI 330 (3) PHOTOJOURNALISM Photography that is directed to storytelling, combining the visual medium with writing skill.
WRI 340 (3) MEDIA ETHICS AND LAW The study of major ethical journalistic philosophies, codes, and current practices. Interaction with professionals and discussions of ethical problems. Stresses responsible, fair, accurate journalism.
Prerequisite: Writing 250.
WRI 345 (3) EDITING Designed to develop the student’s ability to improve and clarify all forms of written expression. Genres include newspapers, magazines, books, internet, as well as other forms of story telling.
Prerequisite: Writing 250.
WRI 350 (3) WRITING FOR THE MASS MEDIA An advanced writing course which incorporates studying editorial policies in addition to writing longer features for newspapers and magazines. Stories are submitted for publication. May be repeated up to a total of two units.
Prerequisite: Writing 250.
WRI 355 (3) PUBLIC RELATIONS WRITING Practice in the planning, research, writing, editing, and evaluation skills needed to craft informative and persuasive messages in various media for various external and internal publics. Formats include print, broadcast, and web-based news releases, features, media kits, public service announcements, radio and video packages, brochures and newsletters, backgrounders and position papers.
Prerequisite: Writing 250.
WRI 365 (3) WRITING for Business and Professional Careers
Strategies for success in business and professional writing, incorporating psychology, theory, and method. Topics include reports, proposals, instructions, resumes, memos, and letters.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the College Composition requirement (5 units).
WRI 370 (2) WRITING THEORY AND PEDAGOGYA course designed to educate students in the individualized instruction of writing. The course concentrates on theory and pedagogy and on ways to respond effectively to student writing, in the classroom as well as in a writing center. Particular attention is given to the concrete application of writing theories to student work.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the College Composition requirement (5 units) and Linguistics 365.
WRI 420 (3) Advanced Writing WorkshopA senior-level capstone course for Writing majors and an advanced course for non-majors providing guided workshops, advanced practice, and advanced instruction in writing techniques and publication strategies used by professional writers.
Prerequistite: Writing 3231, 322, or 323
WRI 440 (3) MAGAZINE EDITING AND CONCEPTSThe study of American magazines, including their planning, editing, and designing. The class project involves completing a prospectus and publishing a county-wide magazine. May be repeated up to a total of two units.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of the College Composition requirement (5 units) and Writing 250.
WRI 445 (3) TELEVISION NEWSAn advanced course combining principles of journalistic writing and reporting with the field production techniques of television news. Students learn the basic concepts of reporting and producing a television news program and apply those concepts in a weekly newscast. Also crosslisted as Communication 445.
Prerequisites: Writing 250, Communication 225.
Co-requisite (for Broadcast Journalism major only): Writing 312.
WRI 470 (2) INTERNSHIP IN WRITINGA supervised experience in which the student works off campus in media. May be repeated up to a total of two units.
Prerequisites: Writing 250, 310, 340, and 350, or consent of instructor.
WRI 490 (1-3) SPECIAL STUDIES IN WRITING/JOURNALISMAn intensive study of a selected problem by an individual or group under the direction of a member of the faculty. May be repeated to a total of six units.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and department chair.
WRI 499 (1-3) RESEARCH IN WRITING/JOURNALISMIndependent research under the guidance of a faculty member.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and department chair and senior standing.
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