About the Writing Minor
Offered by the Mount’s Department of English, the Writing Minor is for those who want to explore the theory and practice of writing in a more intensive way than is possible in other courses. Our Writing Minor is distinctive from other writing programs in that it covers communication in many forms; you can explore creative writing, editing, researching in the digital age, the business of publishing, classical rhetoric, scientific writing, and contemporary theories about composition. The Writing Minor will make you a strong and flexible writer.
- Complement any program — This program is available to all undergraduate students (regardless of your program or declared major) including English students. Developing strong communication skills will help you in your university studies and beyond.
- WRIT & ENGL courses — Any course designated as WRIT or ENGL / WRIT will count toward the Writing Minor. English students who are looking for courses to fulfill the requirements of a literature program (Honours, Major, Combined Major, Concentration, or Minor in English) cannot count WRIT courses as part of the literature requirements, although they can, of course, take WRIT courses as electives or enroll in the Writing Minor. Courses designated as ENGL / WRIT can fulfill requirements for either the Writing Minor or one of the literature programs.
- Registration — When registering, look under Writing in WebAdvisor (not English). However, in the University Calendar, look under English for a list of Writing courses. To register in the Library 2100 course, go to Library in WebAdvisor.
- Academic Advising — For information and advising, contact the English Department’s Writing Co-ordinator, Dr. Nathaniel Street. (Office: Seton 523. Email: nathaniel.street@msvu.ca)
Writing and your career
Excellent communication skills are among the top priorities of most employers. Those who can write well are able to discover, articulate, organize, and present clearly and effectively their own as well as other people’s ideas. Those who can write well are always in demand and always valued, no matter where they exercise their craft.
The Writing Minor is a credential that demonstrates to employers that you have developed communication skills that can be transferred to any workplace. Graduates of our Writing courses work in a variety of jobs related to their Major field of study that require excellent written communication skills, but more specifically, some of our students now work in writing and publishing fields as editors, publicists, and communication officers. Other students who developed their creative writing through advanced courses in the program have gone on to publish their work — and even win awards for it!
Writing Minor Requirements
WRIT courses are either a half unit (0.5) or a full unit (1.0) of credit. WRIT 1120 is a required course for the Writing Minor (or it can be taken as an elective in any program).
- WRIT 1120 (The Writing Process: Theory & Practice), 0.5 unit
In addition to WRIT 1120, the Writing Minor requires 2.5 units at the 2000 level or above, taken from the following:
- Writing to Influence (ENGL / WRIT 2220), 0.5 unit
- Creative Writing (ENGL / WRIT 2221), 0.5 unit
- An Introduction to Editing (WRIT 2222), 0.5 unit
- Introduction to Research in the Information Age (LIBR 2100), 0.5 unit
- History of Writing, Reading, and the Book (ENGL/ WRIT 2223)
- Tricksters, Liars and Sophists: The History of Rhetoric (ENGL/WRIT/PHIL 2225)
- Creative Non-Fiction (ENGL/WRIT 3221)
- Myths and Theories about Writing (ENGL / WRIT 3330), 0.5 unit
- Studies in Writing I and II (WRIT 3331 and WRIT 3332), 0.5 unit each
- Old English: Translation Theory & Practice (ENGL/WRIT 3377), 0.5 unit
- Scientific Writing (WRIT / COMM 3512), 0.5 unit
- Special Topic (WRIT 4401 or 4405 / 4406), 0.5 – 1.0 unit
- Either Queer Theory (ENGL 4407/WOMS 4407/GWGS 6607) or Critical Theory (ENGL 4408), – 0.5 unit
- Directed Study (WRIT 4410 or 4411 / 4412), 0.5 – 1.0 unit
The above courses can also be taken as electives, as long as the pre-requisites are met. Read more about Writing Courses 2023-2024
