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SFU
OFFICE OF THE ASSOOATE VICE.PRESIDENf, ACADEMIC AND ASSOOATE PROVOST
MEMORANDUM
ATTENTION
FROM
RE:
8888 University Drive, Bunuby, BC
Canada V5A IS6
Semte
Committee
on
University
Priorities
Bill Krane, Chair
TEL:
778.782.4636
FAX:
778.782.5876
DATE
PAGES
Semte Committee on Undergraduate Studies
Faculty of Ans and Social Sciences (SOJS 10-02bil)
avpcio@sfu.ca
\vww.sfu.cal
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J;tnlUl]' 11, 20 10
111
Action undertaken by the Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies at its meeting of
January 7, 2010, gives rise to the following recommendation:
Motion:
That
SCUP approve and recommend to Senate the full program proposal for a
Certificate in Writing and Rhetoric.
The relevant documentation for review
by
SCUP is attached.
/.
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
THINKING OF THE WORLD
MEMO
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FACULTY OF
ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
TO:
Jo Hinchliffe, Secretary
Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies
FROM: Paul Budra, lnair
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Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Curriculum Committee
RE:
Certificate in Writing and Rhetoric (Full Program Proposal)
DATE: December 8, 2009
On November 19,2009, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Curriculum
Committee approved the attached full program proposal for a Certificate
in Writing and Rhetoric, submitted by the Department of English. The
Notice of Intent was forwarded to SCUP on July 29, 2009.
Would you please place this item on the agenda of the next meeting of SCUS.
:pJ
Att.
~.
FULL PROGRAM PROPOSAL
CERTIFICATE IN WRITING AND RHETORIC
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
Between the Departments of English, linguistics, and Communication, SFU has a wide range of
specialized courses
in the study of rhetorical analysis and written communication. The Certificate in
Writing and Rhetoric is designed to link these courses together into a coherent program which will be
attractive to a wide range of students seeking either to improve their written communication skills
or pursue the study of written communication and rhetorical analysis at a high level.
The proposed certificate, offered by the Department of English in consultation with the
Departments of Communication, and Linguistics, consists of a minimum of
24
units:
ENGl214
(History and Principles of Rhetoric), and six other courses from a list of 13 op'tional courses in
two categories from the Departments of English, Communication, and linguistics.
The university has
targeted "writing skills" and "written communication" as areas of
focus and improvement across the university. The Certificate in Writing and Rhetoric is
designed precisely to contribute to these goals. It will do so by providing students with a
coherent and yet diverse program in the study of academic writing and rhetorical
argumentation, and by drawing existing area strengths in several departments together into a
clearly defined certificate program. The skills students will acquire through the Writing and
Rhetoric Certificate will be highly marketable and sought after, as they apply to a wide range of
fields. Specific training in rhetorical argumentation and analysis, writing as a mode of critical
thinking, written communication and rhetorical argument as applied to the law, political
communication, sales, advertising, and marketing, dialogue and negotiation, are covered in the
Certificate courses.
No existing programs at other BC universities exactly duplicate the proposed certificate. The
University of British Columbia has no writing and rhetoric program; The University of Victoria has a
"Professional Writing Program," but this
is strictly a technical skills program, and lacks the theoretical
components of the
SFU certificate. Unique both for its interdisciplinary breadth and focused attention to
rhetorical performance
and analysis across a range of fields, the Certificate in Writing and Rhetoric will
both contribute to the university's
goals in the area of writing in general and attract new students to a
program with recognizable skills
and outcomes.
3
,
CURRICULUM
1. Student Outcomes
The Certificate in
Writing and Rhetoric includes a range of courses investigating the theories
and methods
of rhetorical analysis and production across a number of disciplines. It is intended
to attract all Simon Fraser University students interested in writing as a skill central to their
efforts as students and central to their future job prospects.
The certificate provides students
with extensive training in the theories and methods of
rhetorical analysis and written production through a course sequence that reflects the
interdisciplinary vitality of the field, drawing together studies of rhetoric in English, philosophy,
linguistics, arid communications. The English Department's writing courses have long been
recognized
as innovative, and with the university's W requirements, student interest in these
courses
has grown considerably in recent years, attracting students from across almost all
faculties and disciplines.
2. Curriculum Requirements
The certificate consists
of a minimum of 24 units: ENGL
214
(History and Principles of
Rhetoric), and six other courses from a list of 13 optional courses in two categories from the
Departments
of English, Communication, and Linguistics. These courses cover a diverse range of
topics and
speCific approaches, while nevertheless offering a consistent focus on the rhetorical
analysis
of written communication and the theory and practice of effective writing.
3. Course Structure
The courses required
for the certificate are diverse in format, ranging from 17 student
writing seminars to 30 student lectures. Many of the courses are "writing intensive," and thus
have lower student-to-faculty ratios.
4. Research
Implications
Writing and rhetoric is the research focus of several English Department faculty members
involved in teaching courses in
the certificate. In general, the particular research interests of
the existing tenure-track faculty teaching in the program will inform the particular course
curricula.
Writing and rhetoric continues to be one of the few "growth areas" in the humanities,
and
the certificate will no doubt contribute to research by introducing new students to
concentrated study in the area.
If.
i
LEARNING
METHODOLOGIES
Diverse learning methodologies will be in place in the different courses and departments
involved
in the Certificate Program. The writing and writing intensive courses in the program
emphasize experiential learning (where
writng is mastered through extensive and diverse
practice).
As noted above, writing is still one of the most highly employable skills-particularly
in
the information economy-and specific training in negotiation, political and legal
communication
is provided by the certificate.
FACULTY
The Certificate in Writing and Rhetoric relies upon existing tenure-track faculty currently
teaching the designated courses from the various
diSciplines identified. No additional faculty
members are required.
PROGRAM
CONSULTATIONS
AND
EVALUATIONS
The Notice of Intent was sent to all FASS Undergraduate Chairs, and the particulars of the
program were discussed
with the Undergraduate Chairs of the participating departments.
Without exception, the proposal met with their approval. The Departments of Communication
and linguistics made several content suggestions which were readily accepted.
The Undergraduate Chair of the Department of English will consult regularly with the
Undergraduate
Chairs of the participating departments, and will meet with them annually to
review the program. The Undergraduate Chair of English (as nominal director of the program)
will maintain membership on
the Provincial English Articulation Committee, where issues
specifically relating to the teaching of writing are often raised.
ADMISSION
The admission requirements are the standard SFU requirements. Students would apply to the
Department
of English Student Advisor for admission.
5.
APPENDIX A: Calendar Description
CERTIFICATE IN WRITING AND RHETORIC
In pursuing this certificate, students investigate the theories and methods of rhetorical analysis and
production
throug~
a course sequence that reflects the interdisciplinary vitality of the field, drawing
together studies
of rhetoric in English, philosophy, linguistics, and communications.
Admission Requirements
Normal requirements
for admission to Simon Fraser University apply. Prior to formal approval into the
certificate program, students must complete
two of the
follo~ing
courses:
•
ENGL 199W-3
•
LING 200-3
• CMNS 200-3
o
PHil 110-3
Course Requirements
Introduction to University Writing
Introduction to the Description of English Grammar
Effective
Communication
Introduction to logic and Reasoning
Successful completion
of seven courses for a minimum of 24 units,
including:
•
ENGL 214-3
plus four of:
•
ENGL 210W-3
•
ENGL 371-4
•
ENGL 375-4
•
LING 160-3
•
LING 295-3
• CMNS 304W-4
•
CMNS 331-4
•
CMNS 332-4
plus
two of:
• ENGl470W-4
• ENGl475W-4
•
CMNS 432-4
History and Principles
of Rhetoric
Writing and Critical Thinking
Writing: Theory and Practice
Studies in Rhetoric
Language,
Culture, and Society
language and
the law
Communication in Everyday life
News Discourse and Political Communication
Communication
and Rhetoric
Studies in
the English language
Topics in Rhetoric
Public Opinion,
Propaganda and Political Communication
CMNS447-4
•
CMNS 452
Negotiation and Dialogue as Communication
Race and the Media
Of the seven required courses, no more than four may be in anyone department, while a minimum of
three must be in English. Substitutions may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Student Advisor.
A
cumulative grade point average of 2.0 is required in the courses used for the certificate.
'1.
APPENDIX C: Faculty Teaching in the Program
English:
Rick Coe
Peter Cramer
Marlene Sawatski
Michelle Valiquette
Sean Zwaggerman
Communication:
Bob Anderson
Peter Chow-White
Bob Hackett
Linguistics:
Clifford Burgess
Juan
Sosa
Maite Taboada