The Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Discourse (WRD) is dedicated to studying the history and theory of literate activity and helping students excel as writers in a wide range of academic, professional, and public settings. WRD is home to DePaul's First-Year Writing program. The department also offers the Minor in Professional Writing and the Major in Writing and Rhetoric. At the graduate level, the Master of Arts in WRD addresses writing and rhetoric in professional, technical, and digital contexts, the preparation of postsecondary teacher-scholars in writing, and the study of language for writers. The Combined BA/MA in WRD allows undergraduates in any DePaul major to begin taking WRD graduate courses in their senior year. The department offers two Graduate Certificates in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Strategic Writing and Advancement for Nonprofits (SWAN). TESOL prepares students to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to adult learners in the United States and abroad. SWAN prepares students for careers in nonprofit marketing, communication, and development. Undergraduates who choose the BA/MA option may complete the TESOL or SWAN Certificate within the MA portion of the program.
The act of writing in general and each student’s writing in particular are of central concern in all WRD courses. Theories of language, rhetoric (how to make effective choices as writers), and discourse (the way writing structures human activity) develop students’ understanding of how their own writing intersects with broader contexts of institution and culture.
WRD is made up of more than 70 faculty members; all WRD faculty teach undergraduate courses. The department’s faculty members are nationally recognized researchers in rhetorical theory and practice, composition theory, writing pedagogy, applied linguistics, second language writing, professional and technical writing, and writing program administration.
Faculty
Alan Ackmann, MFA
Professional Lecturer, Professional Writing for Business Coordinator
University of Arkansas
Julie A. Bokser, PhD
Associate Professor
University of Illinois at Chicago
Darsie Bowden, MFA, PhD
Professor Emeritus
University of Southern California
Antonio Ceraso, PhD
Associate Professor and Chair
Pennsylvania State University
Lisa Dush, PhD
Associate Professor and Director of Studio Chi
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Timothy Elliott, PhD
Assistant Professor
Texas Tech University
Jacob Friedman, PhD
Professional Lecturer
Washington State University
Tricia Hermes, MA
Senior Professional Lecturer
DePaul University
Victoria Hohenzy, MA
Instructor and Assistant Director of First-Year Writing
DePaul University
Amy Hornat-Kaval, MA
Professional Lecturer
DePaul University
Jason Kalin, PhD
Associate Professor
North Carolina State University
Michael Moore, MA
Senior Professional Lecturer
San Francisco State University
Margaret Poncin, MA
Professional Lecturer
DePaul University
Maria Prikhodko, PhD
Professional Lecturer
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Monica Reyes, PhD
Assistant Professor
Old Dominion University
Lydia Saravia, PhD
Professional Lecturer
University of Illinois at Chicago
Jason Schneider, PhD
Assistant Professor, TESOL Certificate Coordinator
University of Illinois at Chicago
Justin Staley, MA
Senior Professional Lecturer
Northwestern University
Peter Vandenberg, PhD
Professor and Executive Associate Dean, LAS
Texas Christian University
Erin Workman, PhD
Assistant Professor and Director of First-Year Writing
Florida State University