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SUNY ESF
Writing, Rhetoric & Communications

The Writing, Rhetoric & Communications Program (WRCP) is a one-of-a-kind space for the exploration of writing (from creative to research to professional), literature, communications, and storytelling. As a student-facing entity, the program offers both required and elective coursework and is harnessed by four student-facing centers: DSS (The Digital Storytelling Studio), ESOL (English for Speaks of Other Languages), PSL (the Public Speaking Lab), and WRC (the Writing Resource Center). Each of these unique centers provides tutoring services, and advanced opportunities for students to collaborate and learn from a variety of resources how to advance in their own fields.

Our program offers an exciting minor (EWR—Environmental Writing and Rhetoric) that assists students in understanding the role environmental writing plays both in their own writing and reading and also the world of environmental humanities. Students can choose from numerous upper level courses to complete the minor (Environmental Journalism, Advanced Public Speaking, Creative Nonfiction, Contemporary Literature of Nature, to name a few) and work with clubs and organizations that celebrate the role writing plays in nature. This includes the chance to work with Unearthed, ESF's literary and arts magazine, or to join in hosting meaningful events like film screenings and writing workshops.

The Writing, Rhetoric & Communications Program also addresses the literacy needs of the ESF campus. Through our research-based composition courses, hundreds of students each year gain pertinent writing and research skills. We teach core skills and practices of academic and professional writing through genres such as feasibility reports and research essays, among others. We also teach storytelling across its multiple platforms—from poetry to creative essays to podcasts to short documentary films. Our program hosts more than a dozen established and engaged faculty who, collectively, teach over 1,000 registered students each academic year.

In addition to our minor and literacy services, the Writing, Rhetoric & Communications Program leads in our community effort of ESF in High School. We continue to support and work with our students on finding the best ways to engage with the skills they learn.

Please address any questions to Jacob Gedetsis, jagedets@esf.edu

Objectives

  • Improve the quality of writing and rhetoric on and off the ESF campus.
  • Create student awareness of rhetorical considerations.
  • Establish an atmosphere that values effective writing while encouraging creativity and critique, research and reflection.
  • Emphasize writing in a context as part of a community.
  • Promote critical thinking, critical reading, and critical writing skills.

Faculty

The Writing, Rhetoric & Communications Program staff includes a director, three full-time faculty, a number of visiting instructors, and a graduate assistant. The Writing Resource Center is staffed by two graduate assistants and a staff of peer tutors.