Writing - A.B.
The liberal arts major in Writing prepares students to become outstanding communicators with high levels of proficiency in the use of the written word. The major stresses both the artistic joy of composition and the practical application of writing skills to everyday communication challenges. Graduates may elect to pursue careers as writers, editors, or communications consultants, or may wish to apply their expertise to business, education, or the ministry. With its strong liberal arts emphasis, a Writing major is recommended as an excellent professional degree program. Majors may opt for a Specialization in Creative or Professional Writing. They will graduate with a range of writing experience in various genres, with exposure to modern composition theory, and training in the practical application of rhetoric to life. While the program requires a comprehensive study and practice of writing, it also encourages students to discover their best voice and style.
Foreign Language Requirement (3-12 credits)
All majors will achieve language competency in a modern foreign language in one of the following ways:
1. Earn a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the College Board Advanced Placement examination: a) students who score a 3 will earn 3 credits for Beginning I and will need to take Beginning II, Intermediate I and Intermediate II; b) students who score a 4 will earn 6 credits for Beginning I and Beginning II, and will need to take Intermediate I and Intermediate II; c) students who score of 5 will earn 9 credits for Beginning I, Beginning II, and Intermediate I, and will need to take Intermediate II.
2. Earn a score of 5, 6, or 7 on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level foreign language exam (equivalent to 12 credit hours)*;
3. Take four semesters of a foreign language through the FL 238 level or a single advanced (300)** level course (please see specific details as listed below). Students who wish to register for Spanish courses will identify the appropriate course based on the years of language study they have had at the high school level, according to the rubric below:
|
Previous experience with high school French/Spanish courses*
|
Placement |
| No previous Spanish language experience |
SPA-117 |
| 1 year with or without gaps |
SPA-117 |
| 2 years with a gap of 2+ years since last class |
SPA-117 |
| 2 years with a gap of 1 year or less since last class |
SPA-118 |
| 3 years with a gap of 2+ years since last class |
SPA-118 |
| 3 years with a gap of 1 year or less since last class |
SPA-237 |
| 4 years with a gap of 2+ years since last class |
SPA-238 |
| 4 years with a gap of 1 year or less since last class |
SPA-347 |
*this rubric is based on passing grades posted on high school transcripts
STUDENTS WISHING TO START AT A HIGHER LEVEL:
Students may wish to start at a higher level of Spanish than that into which they have been placed through above policies. Students wishing to do this may take the Spanish placement exam in the Center for Student Success to attempt to place higher. Please note that a placement score lower than the originally assigned placement for the student will be null.
4. Pass the CLEP exam in French, German, or Spanish through the Intermediate I level and take and Intermediate II (238)*** prior to the first semester of junior year or, if completing a Spanish minor, prior to the completion of SPA 349. Students are advised to take the placement exam prior to registering for the CLEP exam;
5. Pass the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), Writing Proficiency (WPT), Reading Proficiency (RPT) and Listening Proficiency (LTP) exams or other proficiency exam approved by the Division of Modern Language and Literature at the intermediate-mid level for languages not taught in the Foreign Language Department at Indiana Wesleyan University. Students who desire such testing must make this request via the Foreign Language Department during their first academic year at Indiana Wesleyan and take the exams on the dates listed on the exam schedule.**** Students may not take the exam in a language once they have begun to study the language at the university level (including transfer credit or study abroad). Proficiency exams may only be taken twice in a particular language. Students will be responsible for paying all fees associated with their exams.*****
6. Pass the DELE Spanish proficiency exam at the B1 level (http://chicago.cervantes.es/en/diplomas_spanish/diplomas_dele_register_spanish.htm), pass the DELF French proficiency exam at the B1 level (https://www.afchicago.org/delf-dalf), or pass the HSK Mandarin proficiency exam Level 3 or higher (http://www.iupui.edu/~china/courses/chinese-proficency-test/). Students who desire such testing must make this request via the Foreign Language Department during their first academic year at Indiana Wesleyan and take the exams on the dates listed on the official exam schedule.****** Students may not take the exam in a language once they have begun to study the language at the university level (including transfer credit or study abroad). Proficiency exams may only be taken twice in a particular language. Students will be responsible for paying all fees associated with their exams.*******
7. Earn 12 credits in a foreign language not previously studied. Students may choose between languages currently taught at Indiana Wesleyan University Marion Campus (Chinese, or Spanish);
8. Native speakers of a language other than English may fulfill the requirement by providing proof of proficiency in that language by successful completion of a proficiency exam approved by Foreign Language faculty at the B1 level (see application form). If a student is a native speaker of a language other than English, he/she will likely profit most from either beginning or continuing study of an additional language;
9. Students with a documented learning disability which affects their ability to process language may petition the Center for Student Success for alternative arrangements for preapproved Foreign Language Substitution courses which meet the Indiana Wesleyan University language requirement. Petitions must include recent documentation from a qualified learning disabilities specialist showing evidence of this language-specific disability and be submitted prior to or during the spring semester of their sophomore year.
Please visit the Division of Modern Language, Literature, and Communication for the Requirement Pathways for Language Courses at IWU.
* For further information regarding Advanced Placement Credit, please visit: Registration & Academic Services - Registration Information
**100 level: Beginning I-117, Beginning II-118; 200 level: Intermediate I-237, Intermediate II-238; 300 level: Advanced I-347, Advanced II-349.
***For more information regarding CLEP credits and Indiana Wesleyan equivalents please visit: Registration & Academic Services - Registration Information
****Please click the following link https://www.languagetesting.com for further information regarding the ACTFL exams, prices, and test dates.
***** Please click the following link https://www.languagetesting.com for further information regarding the ACTFL exams, prices, and test dates.
****** Please review links for specific dates and exam fees.
******* Fees vary depending on exam.
Requirements (46-57 credits)
Required Courses (13-15 credits)
ENG-481: ENG/WRI double majors only
English Electives (except ENG-180, ENG 241, ENG 352) (9 credits)
Writing Electives (21 credits)
These courses should be taken upon completion of the 200 level core courses listed above. However, with permission of the academic advisor, students may take an elective simultaneously with a core course. At least four courses (12 credit hours) must be taken in the same specialization. Within the specializations a minimum number of two courses (6 credit hours) must be taken at 300 level or above.
Creative Writing Specialization
Professional Writing Specialization
| WRI-210 | Theories and Methods of Writing Consultancy | 0 to 1 |
-
| May earn up to 3 credits | |
| WRI-230 | Sentence Strategies | 3 |
| WRI-281 | Art of Argument | 3 |
| WRI-282 | Writing in the Workplace | 3 |
| WRI-353 | Magazine Writing | 3 |
| WRI-356 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| WRI-390 | Teaching Writing: Composition Theory, Pedagogy, and Practice | 3 |
| COM-224 | Introduction to Newswriting | 3 |
| COM-331 | Public Relations Writing and Publicity | 3 |
| COM-483 | Advanced Newswriting and Reporting | 3 |
| DES-101 | Design Fundamentals | 3 |
-
| Foreign language (3-12) | |
Writing 2nd Major: Professional or Creative Specializations (31-42 credits)
Core Requirements
Electives in the Area of Specialization (15 credits)
These courses should be taken upon completion of the 200 level core courses listed above. However, with the permission of the academic advisor, students may take an elective simultaneously with a core course. At least four courses (12 credit hours) must be taken in the same specialization. A minimum number of two courses (6 credit hours) must be taken at the 300 level or above.
Creative Writing Specialization (12 credits)
Professional Writing Specialization (12 credits)
| WRI-210 | Theories and Methods of Writing Consultancy | 0 to 1 |
-
| May be repeated for up to 3 credits | |
| WRI-230 | Sentence Strategies | 3 |
| WRI-281 | Art of Argument | 3 |
| WRI-282 | Writing in the Workplace | 3 |
| WRI-353 | Magazine Writing | 3 |
| WRI-356 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| WRI-390 | Teaching Writing: Composition Theory, Pedagogy, and Practice | 3 |
| COM-224 | Introduction to Newswriting | 3 |
| COM-331 | Public Relations Writing and Publicity | 3 |
| COM-483 | Advanced Newswriting and Reporting | 3 |
| DES-101 | Design Fundamentals | 3 |
AP credits do not count as "Specialization" courses.
Foreign Language Requirement (3-12 credits)
