Language, Writing, and Rhetoric

Disciplines across the humanities and social sciences have for decades investigated the complexities of learning, practicing, researching, and teaching language, literacy, and rhetoric. The proposed certificate offers undergraduate students the opportunity to develop interdisciplinary knowledge of the theories and politics of language, writing, and rhetoric, with classes drawing on research situated in linguistics, sociolinguistics, literacy studies, discourse studies, composition and rhetoric, second language writing, and education. Just as graduate students in the English Department may elect to concentrate on language, writing, and rhetoric within the thriving MA Program in Language and Literacy, this certificate affords undergraduate students the chance to engage this scholarship. The department already regularly offers electives on “Topics in Language, Writing, and Rhetoric” (ENGL 36900 and 46900); building upon those offerings, the certificate serves as a more comprehensive introduction for interested undergraduate students at City College, including the department’s own English majors and minors, who wish to expand their intellectual exploration of English studies through interdisciplinary inquiry.