Rhetoric and
Public Writing Minor

Division of Language & Literature
Kevin Koch, Ph.D., Chair
kevin.koch@loras.edu
563.588.7536

Strengthening Professional Writing Skills

The Rhetoric and Public Writing minor is designed for students who want to distinguish themselves as excellent writers in whatever professional or community roles they may play. Students in this minor learn how to apply the analytical tools of a liberal arts education to community and workplace settings.

The core courses teach ways to research and write thoughtfully, ethically, and strategically. Class projects and internships help students build their professional networks and gain résumé-building experience. Electives deepen and enrich students’ knowledge base with related courses in other programs.

Discovering the timeless, essential concepts behind effective composing helps students not only be successful writers today, but also sets them on a path to be even better writers ten years from now.

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Learn More

Student projects and internships help build professional networks and gain résumé-building experience.

Loras students collaborate with a community partner as they prepare to write a grant proposal.
Students learning about visual rhetoric and analyzing how history is represented in the monuments and memorials at a local park.

 

Infographics that student groups developed for community partners.

 

Requirements for minor
Req Course Cr’s
1 L.ENG-277: Rhetoric & Political Engagement 3
2 L.ENG-278: Grant & Proposal Writing 3
3 L.ENG-279: Writing for New Media 3
4 L.ENG-390: Writing as Social Action 3
Select one from:
5 ELECTIVE: L.ENG 237: Fiction Writing 3
5 ELECTIVE: L.ENG 238: Poetry Writing 3
5 ELECTIVE: L.ENG 236: Writing the Midwest Landscape 3
5 ELECTIVE: L.ENG 239: Creative Nonfiction Writing 3
5 ELECTIVE: L.ENG 380: Nature Writing 3
5 ELECTIVE: L.ENG 383: Nonfiction Literature & Workshop 3
5 ELECTIVE: L.ENG 384: Adv. Fiction Writing 3
5 ELECTIVE: L.ENG 385: Adv. Poetry Writing 3
5 ELECTIVE: L.ENG 389: Revision, Editing & Publishing 3
5 ELECTIVE: L.COM 164: Digital Imaging 3
5 ELECTIVE: L.COM 202: Public Relations Writing 3
5 ELECTIVE: L.COM 204: Organizational Communication 3
5 ELECTIVE: L.COM 262: Photojournalism (J-term) 3
5 ELECTIVE: L.COM 264: Desktop Publishing 3
5 CIT 322, 323, 324: (three one-credit courses in Web Publishing) 3
Select one from:
6 Political Campaign Communication 3
6 Communication Ethics-AV 3
6 Issues in American Politics 3
6 Issues in Global Politics 3
6 Campaigns & Elections 3
6 The Road to the White House 3
6 The Working Poor (J-Term) 3
6 Catholic Social Teachings 3
6 Race & Ethnicity 3
6 Social Problems 3
6 Social Movements 3
6 Asset Mapping Iowa Latinos 3
7 Three Credit Internship: 3
21 total required credits

Students completing the Rhetoric and Public Writing minor will successfully undertake a three credit internships at a site such as a non-profit or civic organization, a government office, or a business where they will apply concepts learning in their coursework to meet the needs of the broader community. Internship activities might include writing grants, designing informational materials, composing correspondence, editing documents, producing web content, or similar projects. Students should contact the Loras College Center for Experiential Learning to pursue internship possibilities.

 

Course Descriptions

Rhetoric and Political Engagement
This course surveys the field of rhetoric (the study of argumentation), observing how these long-revered concepts come to life in political rhetoric of the twenty-first century.

Grant and Proposal Writing
In this course students explore and learn the complex process of securing funding for non-profit organizations. Students gain actual experience in grant writing through partnerships with community organizations.

Writing for New Media
This course focuses on concepts of effective online writing. Although specific writing platforms (websites, blogs, social media, etc.) change constantly, these concepts prepare students to adapt to these changes thoughtfully, ethically, and strategically.

Writing as Social Action
In this course students learn how to apply rhetorical concepts to community needs by partnering with local organizations on projects related to social justice, civic engagement, and public dialogue.

Creative Nonfiction Writing
An introductory level workshop in which students write and receive feedback on creative nonfiction essay forms. Students also analyze the writing techniques of published authors. Editing workshops focus on stylistic polish.

Writing Center

If it involves writing, we’re here to help!

The Writing Center, located in the lower level of the Loras College library, offers one-on-one sessions with trained tutors to assist students with writing projects. Tutors work with students from across campus on every stage of the writing process: brainstorming, pre-writing, drafting, revision, and polishing. To learn more email naomi.clark@loras.edu. or click the link below for additional details.

Writing Center Resources