Department Overview Introduction Requirements Major Minor Tutor Training Seeking Writing Assistance Winter Term Choosing an Oberlin writing course

Department Overview

Unlike most colleges, Oberlin has a Rhetoric & Composition Department that is separate from both the Creative Writing Program and the English Department. Rhetoric courses encourage students to understand writing as a means of discovery, reflection, and critical thinking; in short, they help students negotiate the demands of academic writing at the college level. Rhetoric courses take students through the writing process and often investigate interdisciplinary topics of inquiry. All of our courses are small, allowing students to have lots of interaction with each other as well as with the writing professor.

Our mission is to support Oberlin's Writing Requirement through a system of our own Rhetoric & Composition colloquia and courses (RHET), through the Writing Certification (WR) and Writing Intensive (WRi) courses offered by faculty across the curriculum. Rhetoric& Composition Department faculty members also teach courses in the First-Year Seminar Program (FYSP).

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Introduction

The Department of Rhetoric and Composition supports the college-wide commitment to the teaching of writing. Writing is one of the primary skills needed at Oberlin and is also necessary for almost any occupation to which an Oberlin graduate might aspire. Beyond these practical values, writing serves as one of the most essential tools for inquiry in a liberal education. All Oberlin students are strongly encouraged to pursue the goal of writing well.

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Requirements

Please note that a passing grade in Rhetoric and Composition will not necessarily result in a writing proficiency credit; certification will depend on the instructor's appraisal of the student's writing ability.

Major. No major is offered in Rhetoric and Composition, but students with such interests might consider majoring in English or Creative Writing. The Individual Major is another alternative. Minor. Students may earn a minor in Rhetoric and Composition by completing approved programs of study. Such programs will consist of at least 15 credit hours, including: one course in the RHET 111-119 series, one 200-level Rhetoric and Composition course, RHET 481, a course in English language history or linguistics, and a private reading in a topic of rhetoric and composition of the student's choosing. Interested students are advised to consult the director.

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Tutor Training. Students interested in training to be peer tutors in writing should consider taking RHET 481, listed below.

Seeking Writing Assistance. Members of the Department of Rhetoric and Composition will be glad to consult with students interested in working on their writing at any level or with any faculty member seeking advice about working with students to improve their writing.

Winter Term. Staff members will be available to sponsor Winter Term Projects in writing.

Choosing an Oberlin Writing Course

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