M.A. in English: Composition/Rhetoric
The field of rhetoric and composition prepares students in the theory, practice, and teaching of public discourse. Our program introduces research in the language arts, from the ancient rhetoric of Greece and Rome to modern theories of the composing process, while also emphasizing practical preparation in the teaching of writing and the administration of composition programs, writing centers, and writing across the curriculum programs.
The Composition/Rhetoric faculty at UNC Charlotte have achieved national and international distinction with publications on literacy, writing pedagogy, critical pedagogy, and rhetoric. Four members of the composition/rhetoric faculty have conducted summer institutes of the National Writing Project and all members of the composition/rhetoric faculty have consulted with public and private schools on issues of writing instruction.
Students completing the M.A. Concentration in Composition/Rhetoric will be prepared for teaching careers in the public schools, in community colleges, and for positions in writing program administration. They are also well prepared to enter Ph.D. programs in Composition/Rhetoric.
The Program
All students are required to take English 6101 Introduction to English Studies and English 6160 Introduction to Language. The Composition/Rhetoric Concentration includes five composition/rhetoric courses, one of which is composition/rhetoric theory-intensive; two literature courses; a project or a thesis and two electives if the project is chosen or one elective if the thesis is chosen.
The Composition/Rhetoric Concentration may focus on rhetorical theory, composition theory, or writing and pedagogy.
The Faculty include