Academic Calendar 2007 (old)» UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION» Writing
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Writing

Writing Courses
 
002F/G101F/G111F/G121F/G131F/G200202F/G
203F/G205F/G207F/G208F/G209F/G210F/G211F/G
212F/G291F/G292F/G293F/G294F/G295F/G296F/G
299F/G

Writing courses may not be used to fulfill the breadth requirement for the 1.0 course in Arts and Humanities needed for graduation.


Writing 002F/G, Introduction to Writing in English
Description: Restricted to English as a Second Language students. This course will introduce the grammar and structure of English, as well as the conceptual and cultural conventions of university writing in English.
Antirequisite(s): Writing 001F/G.
3 hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 101F/G, Introduction to Expository Writing
Description: An introduction to the basic principles and techniques of good writing. The course will emphasize practical work and the development of writing skills for a variety of subjects and disciplines.
Antirequisite(s): Writing 121F/G
3 hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 111F/G, Introduction to Professional Writing
Description: This course will introduce students to various genres of workplace writing such as letters, memos, and reports. Topics include: employment communications (application letters and resumes); business writing style; positive, negative, and persuasive messages; cross-cultural communication; oral communication.
3 hours, 0.5 course
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Writing 121F/G, Writing for MIT
Description: This course will improve the writing skills of MIT students, many of whom will find themselves developing written content for a variety of media formats in their professional lives. The focus on the basic principles of grammar and their relation to techniques of good expository writing in professional communication will aid students in developing precise and elegant prose.
Antirequisite(s): Writing 101F/G
3 hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 131F/G, Writing in the Sciences
Description: Writing in the Sciences introduces students to the basic principles and genres of writing required for science students in their undergraduate careers: lab reports, summaries of scientific research, and scientific review essays. The course will focus on drafting and revising various reports written on scientific topics.
3 hours, 0.5 course
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Writing 200, Writing Proficiency Examination
Description: This two-hour examination will require a very high standard of writing proficiency. It will test writing skills in a variety of ways: by sentences to correct, a passage or passages for any of commentary, transposition, summary or précis, and an essay.
This is a non-credit course.
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Writing 202F/G, Advanced Exposition, Rhetoric, and Persuasion
Description: An intensive, practical, and advanced study of patterns of exposition in discursive prose, this course will review the foundations of grammar, introduce students to the rhetorical arts involved in presentation and persuasion, and examine diverse forms and models of complex prose drawn from a variety of disciplines.
Antirequisite(s): The former Writing 102F/G, 103F/G.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 203F/G, Writing for Publication
Description: The course will improve writing intended for various forms of publication, including media releases and public letters, reviews and reports, newspaper and magazine articles. Students will develop skills in the preparation, writing, copy-editing, and formatting of materials for publication, focusing on effective organization at every level of writing.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 205F/G, Technical Writing
Description: Students will examine how the technical writer interprets and appropriately presents specialized information. Assignments will increase in complexity from letters and memos to document design, technical definition and description, instructions, proposals, the research report. Students will combine analysis, organization, and visual design to craft oral and written communications.
Antirequisite(s): Writing 105F/G.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 computer lab hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 207F/G, Professional Writing in an Electronic Environment
Description: This computer lab course in professional writing explores the role of electronic technology in the production, management, and reception of texts, including issues of authorship, archives, and copyright. Through on-line assignments, some collaborative, students will evaluate the design and content of various electronic texts and create documents in various formats.
Antirequisite(s): The former MIT 207F/G.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 hours computer lab, 0.5 course.
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Writing 208F/G, Teaching Writing
Description: This course will provide the theoretical background and the practical experience students need to be effective writing teachers and more knowledgeable writers. Class study of composition theory and pedagogy will be complemented by a supervised teaching practicum.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 209F/G, Document Design
Description: This course introduces students to principles of document design and methods of integrating visual and verbal information in print documents such as brochures, manuals, and flyers. Students will apply these principles to a variety of design projects using the computer lab facilities.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 computer lab hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 210F/G, Contemporary Grammar
Description: A study of how the English language works in practice, the course will include consideration of writing processes and the practical application of various theories of rhetoric and syntax. Students will analyse and imitate a variety of types of writing samples, and will develop a sophisticated understanding of writing in English.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 computer lab hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 211F/G, Fundamentals of Creative Writing
Description: Students will explore fundamentals of creative writing and challenge their creativity through the writing of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. In craft talks and in small workshop settings, students will examine their work and the work of others for the use of basic elements such as character, voice, and setting.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 hours, 0.5 course
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Writing 212F/G, Writing for Oral Presentation
Description: The ability to influence people through oral discourse offers a powerful, desirable skill in any profession. Effective oral communication depends substantially on improving specific writing techniques rather than focusing solely on skills in delivery. By refining writing techniques, participants in this course will gain confidence in constructing oral presentations.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 hours, 0.5 course
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Writing 291F/G, Special Topics in Writing
Description: Please consult the Writing Program Office, Faculty of Arts for current offerings.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 292F/G, Special Topics in Writing
Description: Please consult the Writing Program Office, Faculty of Arts for current offerings.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 293F/G, Special Topics in Writing
Description: Please consult the Writing Program Office, Faculty of Arts for current offerings.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 294F/G, Special Topics in Writing
Description: Please consult the Writing Program Office, Faculty of Arts for current offerings.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 295F/G, Special Topics in Writing
Description: Please consult the Writing Program Office, Faculty of Arts for current offerings.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 296F/G, Special Topics in Writing
Description: Please consult the Writing Program Office, Faculty of Arts for current offerings.
Prerequisite(s): At least 65% in Writing 101F/G or 121F/G or permission of the program.
3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
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Writing 299F/G, The Writing Portfolio
Description: In this half-course students will write new documents and revise documents written in previous Writing Program classes to include in a portfolio of their work. The portfolio will be both online and printed. Class time will be devoted to a combination of lecture and writing workshop.
Prerequisite(s): Writing 101F/G, 111F/G, or 121F/G and 1.0 additional Writing course.
3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
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Academic Calendar 2007 (old)» UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION» Writing