Writing Studies
Questions?
Undergraduate Coordinator
Shelley Clark
519-850-2920
writing@uwo.ca
Writing Studies Courses
featured courses
2203F/G - From Headline to Deadline: Writing for Publication
Develop skills in the preparation, writing, copy-editing, and formatting of publication at every level of writing.
2222G - Food Writing
Practice food writing while developing specific research methods to understand food systems.
2292G - AI to the Future: Exploring New Horizons in Writing with ChatGPT
Explore the ethical use of AI tools for writing and discover the benefits and limitations of AI through the entire writing process via hands-on activities using ChatGPT.
2520A - Write Now! Writers on Writing
Experience the unique opportunity to learn from a wide variety of writers about the craft of writing and the creative life while improving your own writing.
2530B - TV or Not TV: Writing for the Television Industry
Learn how to write and pitch creative projects reflecting today’s dominant television broadcast models by exploring a variety of formats and genres, this course will also help prepare students for professional careers in writing and production in the television industry in both Canada and the United States.
3221F - Crime Scene to Courtroom: Forensic Writing
From true crime exposés to writing search warrants, learn to investigate and document incidents likely to result in criminal prosecution, litigation, or inquiry.
3401F - You're A Strange Animal: Writing Nature, Writing The Self
Campus will be your classroom as you write about nature in nature and learn to think about how it may be captured – and released - through literature.
3402G - Hitting the Right Notes: Song Lyric Writing
Learn essential lyric writing tools while studying master songwriters and workshopping your own lyrics.
3900F - Fantasy Writing
Work on various aspects of a full-length fantasy novel, focusing on aspects of world-building, the use and transformation of common fantasy motifs, various ways to structure the narrative and tell the story, and how to devise the most affective and climactic scenes.
Web Registration: If you have a question or concern about registration (Writing course selection, Writing module/program requirements, and related matters), please first read the course descriptions and module/program descriptions (and linked ‘Worksheets’) as applicable. To view calendar descriptions and recent course outlines for 2022-23 courses follow the links below. If your questions are not answered by the information in those documents, or if you wish to apply for Special Permission to take a Writing Studies course, please feel free to contact the Undergraduate Program Director/Writing Studies, Dr. Jamie Johnston, directly by email at jjohns6@uwo.ca.
*Students registered in FIMS please note: If you have at least 65% in each of MIT 1020E (or both of MIT 1021F/G and MIT 1022F/G) and MIT 1025F/G (total 1.5) you now have the prerequisite for most senior Writing courses.
See Western Academic Timetable for course delivery details.
Spring/summer 2024 COURSES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Distance Studies (May 6-June 14)
| Course Number |
Course Title |
| Writing 1000F |
Writers' Studio Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus |
| Writing 2101F |
Introduction to Expository Writing 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): The former Writing 2121F/G. Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus |
| Writing 2130F |
Building Better (Communication) Bridges: Rhetoric & Professional Communication for Engineers "Writing 2130F/G is one of the most important courses in Western’s curriculum that any aspiring engineer will take. In all types of engineering, the successful outcome of a project is directly related to how effectively every team member communicates with each other and with the project stakeholders. As a professional in your chosen field, you will be solicited for advice and direction by clients, colleagues, superiors, and the public. Key skills developed in the course include knowing your audience and guiding the reader through the document. Speaking from experience, I have found that taking the time to incorporate key communication concepts is crucial to having your work approved by superiors and authorities in a more timely manner." -- Markus Eichenbaum, Development Engineering Technologist, City of Mississauga, MESc (2020), Civil & Environmental Engineering Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus |
Distance Studies (May 6-July 26)
| Course Number |
Course Title |
| Writing 2111F |
Writing in the World: Introduction to Professional Writing Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus |
| Writing 2202F |
Winning Your Argument: Rhetorical Strategy in a Visual Age Spring/Summer Section 650 Syllabus |
FALL/WINTER 2023-24 COURSES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
1000-Level Introductory Writing Courses
| Course Number |
Course Title |
| Writing 1000F/G |
Writers' Studio Fall Section 001 Syllabus Winter Section 001 Syllabus |
| Writing 1031F/G |
Global Positioning: Introduction to Rhetoric and Professional Communication Fall Section 001 Syllabus |
2000 and 2100-Level Introductory Writing Courses
| Course Number | Course Title |
| Speech 2001 |
The Major Forms of Oral Discourse Full Year Section 001 Syllabus |
| Writing 2101F/G |
Introduction to Expository Writing Fall Section 001 Syllabus Winter Section 001 Syllabus |
| Writing 2111F/G |
Writing in the World: Introduction to Professional Writing Fall Section 001 Syllabus |
| Writing 2130F/G |
Building Better (Communication) Bridges: Rhetoric & Professional Communication for Engineers "Writing 2130F/G is one of the most important courses in Western’s curriculum that any aspiring engineer will take. In all types of engineering, the successful outcome of a project is directly related to how effectively every team member communicates with each other and with the project stakeholders. As a professional in your chosen field, you will be solicited for advice and direction by clients, colleagues, superiors, and the public. Key skills developed in the course include knowing your audience and guiding the reader through the document. Speaking from experience, I have found that taking the time to incorporate key communication concepts is crucial to having your work approved by superiors and authorities in a more timely manner." -- Markus Eichenbaum, Development Engineering Technologist, City of Mississauga, MESc (2020), Civil & Environmental Engineering |
| Writing 2131F/G |
No Bones About It: Writing for the Sciences |
2200-Level Advanced Writing Courses
| Course Number | Course Title |
| Writing 2202F |
Winning Your Argument: Rhetorical Strategy in a Visual Age |
| Writing 2203F/G |
From Headline to Deadline: Writing for Publication |
| Writing 2204F |
Short Flicks: An Introduction to Screenwriting |
| Writing 2209G |
Visual Information Packaging: Document Design |
| Writing 2210G |
GrammarPhobia Demystified: Contemporary Grammar for Writers |
| Writing 2211F/G |
The Naked Writer: Fundamentals of Creative Writing |
| Writing 2214F |
Memoir, Memories, and Disclosure: Creative Non-Fiction |
| Writing 2215F |
Encoding Persuasion: Rhetorical Theory |
| Writing 2218G |
To Make a Long Story Short: Introduction to Writing Short Fiction |
| Writing 2219F |
Word Travels: Introduction to Travel Writing |
| Writing 2222G |
Food Writing |
| Writing 2223G |
Fashion Writing: Elements of Style |
| Writing 2224G |
Writing for the Big Screen: Introduction to Feature Film Writing |
| Writing 2225G |
The Inside Track: Sport Writing |
| Writing 2226G |
Out of the Book: Contemporary Experimental Writing Practices In this experimental creative writing course students use a variety of media, online platforms, and source material to create innovative projects that challenge traditional modes of literary expression. They will be introduced to experimental writers/artists. Assignments will incorporate appropriation, collage, and sampling. |
| Writing 2227F |
Crime Writing: Black Dahlias, Red Herrings and Tequila Sunrises |
| Writing 2292G |
Al to the Future: Exploring New Horizons in Wriitng with ChatGPT In this course, students will explore the many ways in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance their writing skills. Students will explore the ethical use of AI tools for writing and discover the benefits and limitations of AI through the entire writing process via hands-on activities using ChatGPT. |
| Writing 2520A | Write Now! Writers on Writing Through a series of guest lectures by contemporary writers, this course explores the art, craft, and process of creative writing in a variety of genres. Course topics include inspiration, overcoming creative blocks, revision, social media, publishing, literary citizenship, and the writing life. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2504A if taken F/W16 or F/W17. More details >>> Fall Section 001 Syllabus |
| Writing 2530B | TV or Not TV: Writing for the Television Industry This course teaches students how to write and pitch creative projects reflecting today’s dominant television broadcast models. By exploring a variety of formats and genres, this course will also help prepare students for professional careers in writing and production in the television industry in both Canada and the United States. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2500B if taken F/W16 or F/W17. Winter Section 001 Syllabus |
3200-Level Advanced Writing Courses
| Course Number | Course Title |
| Writing 3221F |
Crime Scene to Courtroom: Forensic Writing |
| Writing 3224G |
Minding your Ps & Qs: Technical Editing This course introduces students to the basic principles of editing with a specific emphasis on technical documents. Topics include editing for: organization and structure; audience; usability; style; and grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling. |
| Writing 3225F/G |
My Name is url: Writing for the Web |
| Writing 3228G |
Concept to Product: Publishing |
| Writing 3300F/G | Internship in Writing Students registered in a Certificate or Minor degree module in Writing and who have a cumulative average of 80% in Writing courses may elect to do an internship with an approved institution as a course at the 3300 level. Course requirements will be set individually prior to registration. |
| Writing 3401F | You're A Strange Animal: Writing Nature, Writing The Self What is nature, how do we write about it and, how is writing about the natural world and the animals in it inextricable from writing about the self? Students should expect to spend a portion of each class outdoors, investigating the flora, fauna, and geological features on campus. Fall Section 001 Syllabus |
| Writing 3402G | Hitting the Right Notes: Song Lyric Writing Do you want to write lyrics in your favourite musical genre—blues, rock, folk, pop, hip hop, and others? Learn essential lyric writing tools including imagery, repetition, metre, persona, and storytelling structure while studying master songwriters and workshopping your own lyrics. No previous music theory experience required. Antirequisite(s): Writing 2294G F/W15; Writing 3902G F/W17; Writing 3901G F/W19. Winter Section 001 Syllabus |
| Writing 3900F | Fantasy Writing Work on various aspects of a full-length fantasy novel, focusing on aspects of world-building, the use and transformation of common fantasy motifs, various ways to structure the narrative and tell the story, and how to devise the most affective and climactic scenes. Fall Section 001 Syllabus |
4000-Level Advanced Writing Courses
| Course Number | Course Title |
| Writing 4998F/G |
Re-visioning Self: Creating Your Professional Portfolio |
| Writing 4999E |
Creative Writing Thesis Please fill out the Agreement/Consent Supervisor Form and return. |
Course listings are subject to change. See Western Academic Timetable for date, time, and location of specific courses. See Undergraduate Sessional Dates for more details and deadlines.
