Courses in or affiliated with the UC Merced Writing Program
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Writing 1 (Academic Writing): An intensive exploration of the writing process, focusing on the analysis of college-level texts, and on expository writing and revision. The guiding theme is cultural and linguistic diversity.
Core 1 (General Education, Introduction to Interdisciplinary Inquiry): An innovative survey approach to study across the academic disciplines, wherein students are introduced to the sciences, humanities, and the arts, and pursue a variety of quantitative and qualitative analyses—foremost among which are written explications that demonstrate and apply their studies.
Writing 10 (Reading & Composition): Intensive practice in critical reading and writing, focusing on effective use of language, analysis, argumentation and organization, as well as strategies for creation, revision and editing.
USTU 10 (Undergraduate Studies): Combining weekly, large-group, interactive lectures and small-group discussion sessions, this course focuses on topics related to navigating campus life and strategies for effective learning at UC Merced. Includes reflective writings and engagement in activities on campus that promote self-empowerment and academic success.
Writing 11 (Supplemental Instruction): Supervised by a supplemental instructor, students in this variable credit course will complete additional work on reading and writing that is aligned with the curriculum of another Writing Program course.
Writing 25 (Creative Writing): Workshop-oriented instruction in the artistic nuances of literary genres such as fiction and poetry.
Writing 30 (Professional Writing): Writing for business, including practice in technical writing, professional correspondence, public relations, and journalistic contexts.
Writing 40 (Writing in the Disciplines):Current and historical conventions of rhetorical discourse will be introduced in different academic, literary and professional disciplines.
Writing 90 (Intersections of Creative and Professional Writing): This course examines the relationship between artistic and utilitarian writing techniques and priorities. Students will generate texts in various genres of creative writing and professional writing), with primary focus on why texts are constructed in different ways for multiple purposes and varied audiences. WRI 90 is the prerequisite for upper-division minor program coursework.
Writing 92 (Internship in Writing): Provides oversight and structure for a student’s internship in a field related to writing in community organizations, professional research projects, etc. connected to the study of writing. Students write an original research paper or relevant product that demonstrates how the internship advanced their knowledge of writing.
Writing 100 (Advanced Writing): This course will emphasize development of style, voice and syntax within writing projects. As a pre-professional writing course, it will include readings and writing in creative non-fiction as well as writing for popular and academic periodicals.
Writing 101 (Writing for Psychology): Intended for psychology majors and minors in closely related disciplines, this course refines a students' ability to analyze, synthesize, and explain complex information by producing professional written texts and oral reports for appropriate audiences. Using APA style, each student also collaborates on a research project.
Writing 105 (Language and Style): Introduction to basic principles of language study, including the key distinction between classifying and explaining grammatical forms and functions. Building on such grammatical principles, students analyze texts of various genres and formats, ranging from literary to conversational to disciplinary discourse.
Writing 110 (Tutoring in Writing): Introduction to writing pedagogy, for students training to be tutors in the Student Advocacy and Learning Center.
USTU 110 (Undergraduate Studies: Tutor Training): Students analyze and apply current and traditional pedagogy and best practices of tutoring undergraduates in different disciplines. Principles of active learning and strategies for managing peer groups are examined in the context of tutoring diverse student populations. Applications of learning theory occur in peer-critiqued practicums.
Writing 116 (Writing for the Natural Sciences): Intensive practice in the principles of audience-oriented writing with respect to the presentation of scientific subject matter (in research, public policy, journalism, and grant proposals). Assignments may include technical explanations, project proposals, research reviews, oral presentations, collaborative projects, and general research writing.
Writing 117 (Writing for the Social Sciences and Humanities): Intensive practice in developing writing and analytical abilities in a manner appropriate for upper division coursework, independent research and writing projects, graduate school, and professional activity. Students read and critique theory, conduct library research, propose and/or conduct primary research, and learn the formal conventions of different genres of writing in the social sciences and humanities.
Writing 118 (Management Communication): Students analyze and demonstrate effective managerial communication skills, with an emphasis on public speaking, presentations, and writing. Topics include business ethics, media relations, intercultural communication, interviewing, persuasion, and the visual representation of data. Extensive work in impromptu oral and written communication in various managerial, organizational, interpersonal situations.
Writing 119 (Writing for Engineering): Intensive practice in the presentation of technical subject matter. Students survey the range of audiences to which engineering communities respond, and explore respective variations in the style and logic of written discourse within the profession. Assignments may include technical reports, design projects, memo reports, project proposals, press releases, oral presentations, collaborative projects, and general client-based writing.
Writing 120 (Rhetorical Theory): Intensive study in classical and contemporary theories of written rhetoric. The course enables students to analyze, criticize and deploy rhetorical strategies via readings in rhetorical theory, application of theory to the criticism of texts, and the imitation and production of arguments.
Writing 125 (Advanced Creative Writing): Advanced work in creative writing, with each section focusing on one genre: poetry, fiction, drama, or creative nonfiction. The course follows a workshop format. Prerequisite for the course is passage of WRI 025, Introduction to Creative Writing. With instructor permission, this course can be repeated for credit as topics change.
Writing 130 (Advanced Professional Writing): Specialized, practical instruction in one aspect of professional writing, considering important factors such as clarity, tone, audience, ethics, and context. Topics include (but are not limited to) journalism, technical writing, copy-editing, writing for the Internet, and research for writers. With instructor permission, this course can be repeated for credit as topics change.
Writing 131 (Undergraduate Research Journal): This course applies advanced writing and editing skills to the production of the Undergraduate Research Journal. Addresses the editorial analysis of texts, principles of revision, research guidelines, technical communication, and web design specific to research writing and journal production.
Writing 150 (Seminar in Creative Writing): In this advanced workshop students produce creative and critical work in one of the following genres: fiction, playwriting, poetry, or creative nonfiction.
Writing 155 (Seminar in Professional Writing): This seminar is based on case studies representing different contexts of professional writing. Specific attention is devoted to technical writing for the representation of complex information in a form that is accessible to general readers. Elements of translation theory will also be reviewed.
Writing 160 (Seminar in Editing): This workshop course examines grammar and style, documentation, manuscript solicitation, selection and review, as well as generating manuscripts. Concerns fundamental to editing—such as consistency of voice, integrity of the author’s concepts, and use of multiple languages—are included as part of the editorial process.
Writing 192 (Internship in Writing): Provides oversight and structure for a student’s internship in a field related to writing in community organizations, professional research projects, etc., connected to the study of writing. Students write an original research paper or relevant product that demonstrates how the internship advanced their knowledge of writing.
