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Critical Writing

Course Description

Hones fundamental opinion-writing and analysis skills. Students will engage critically and creatively with art and entertainment in various genres, including music, film, theater, and books, and with American culture generally. Students will write clear, cogent articles and reviews of publishable quality, suitable for multiple platforms.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Evaluation of graduate students differs significantly from that of undergraduate students. Not only will graduate students be assigned more readings and additional projects, they will also be graded with higher expectations than undergraduate students. Specifically, graduate students will be assigned an additional research or applied project depending upon the discretion of the instructor. Research projects may involve secondary research reviews and synthesis, whereas primary research studies will involve collection and analysis of data. Applied projects will consist of an original professional-level project delivered as a written report and/or oral presentation.

Athena Title

Critical Writing

Undergraduate Prerequisite

JOUR 3090 and JOUR 3190 and permission of department

Graduate Prerequisite

Permission of department

Semester Course Offered

Offered fall

Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

Student Learning Outcomes

  • By the end of this course, students will have developed and honed fundamental opinion-writing skills.
  • By the end of this course, students will have read a variety of film, television, theater, book, and restaurant reviews to understand the many forms a review can take.
  • By the end of this course, students will know how to write a series of reviews and analysis covering a wide range of topics and genres, including but not limited to music, film, books, dance, theater, and food.
  • By the end of this course, students will know how to think critically and creatively and to write often and under deadline.

Topical Outline

  • The role of the critic in today’s fractured media landscape
  • Becoming a critical observer
  • Reporting, writing, and reviewing ethically and responsibly
  • Forming, owning, and trusting one’s own opinion
  • Constructing arguments
  • Selecting and employing persuasive evidence
  • Developing a personal writing style

Syllabus

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