Craft of Writing: The Coastal Environment - WRIT 274
Dr. Justin Mando – MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY
Course Description:
This course explores—and compels you to practice—the “craft” of writing as a dynamic relationship between what the writer intends to do and the specific rhetorical choices the writer makes. We will focus specifically on the relationship between the places we inhabit and our purposes for writing, specific audiences, and informed practices to effectively engage readers. Building on the idea that “wisdom sits in places,” we will draw on the Chincoteague Bay Field Station, Wallops Island, Assateague Island, and the Atlantic Ocean itself as primary sources of inspiration, motivation, storytelling, and connection between writers and readers. We will spend significant time in the field, drawing from and writing about the natural and human-made world around us so that we can tell the stories of the sea and the people who live and work around it. As we will be involved in a community of scientists at the CBFS, we will focus in part on communicating that science to the public.
As a student in this class, you will write extensively—in both formal and informal contexts—and you will investigate the world around you as a resource for learning about how humans communicate about/through/with “place.” You will write persuasive, informative, and creative pieces that address current environmental, social, and scientific issues. All of our writing will be inspired and informed by field experiences.
At the completion of the course the student shall be able to:
The goal of this course is to help you analyze, plan, and create effective communication that draws on the place, the Atlantic Coast at Chincoteague, as a rhetorical resource. Achieving this goal depends upon achieving several constitutive goals to:
General Description of Field Activities:
Tiny Ecology Project – Each student will select a small outdoor location in the vicinity of Chincoteague to study as an ecological nexus. As writers, you will observe and investigate this place to generate engaging content, to advocate for an environmental intervention, and to argue for the value of this place to the community.
Guided trips to historic and natural sites in the Chincoteague area. These outings will connect writers to the stories tied to the history of this place and to the flora and fauna that gives it life.
Accompany scientific researchers on excursions into the Atlantic as science writers, practicing as journalists.
Approximate Amount of Course Time in the Field:
50%
Prerequisites:
ENGL 110 or equivalent introductory writing course
Required Textbook or Supplies:
All materials will be provided or made available as .pdf documents.
Number of Students:
20
2022 Chincoteague Bay Field Station Fee*:
Salicornia: $1,555
Traditional Housing: $1,405
* Does not include university tuition or fees. For specific policy on CBFS fees, click HERE (link will be updated for 2022 fees)
This course explores—and compels you to practice—the “craft” of writing as a dynamic relationship between what the writer intends to do and the specific rhetorical choices the writer makes. We will focus specifically on the relationship between the places we inhabit and our purposes for writing, specific audiences, and informed practices to effectively engage readers. Building on the idea that “wisdom sits in places,” we will draw on the Chincoteague Bay Field Station, Wallops Island, Assateague Island, and the Atlantic Ocean itself as primary sources of inspiration, motivation, storytelling, and connection between writers and readers. We will spend significant time in the field, drawing from and writing about the natural and human-made world around us so that we can tell the stories of the sea and the people who live and work around it. As we will be involved in a community of scientists at the CBFS, we will focus in part on communicating that science to the public.
As a student in this class, you will write extensively—in both formal and informal contexts—and you will investigate the world around you as a resource for learning about how humans communicate about/through/with “place.” You will write persuasive, informative, and creative pieces that address current environmental, social, and scientific issues. All of our writing will be inspired and informed by field experiences.
At the completion of the course the student shall be able to:
The goal of this course is to help you analyze, plan, and create effective communication that draws on the place, the Atlantic Coast at Chincoteague, as a rhetorical resource. Achieving this goal depends upon achieving several constitutive goals to:
- Develop a method of rhetorical analysis that you can apply in any situation.
- Describe and apply research on effectively creating rhetoric by drawing on place.
- Use analytical observation in the field as a springboard for research and insight.
- Develop a concise, polished, and professional prose style in several genres.
- Apply observational methods to glean insights on the relevance of context on writing.
- Develop skills in an array of academic practices, including providing feedback, working collaboratively, and analysis.
- Write about scientific and environmental issues from the perspective of specific stakeholders such as non-profit organizations, government agencies, environmental and industry groups, and media outlets.
- Develop insights about local issues through observation and analysis, then communicate them.
- Write creatively to benefit literary pursuits, marketing efforts, social media campaigns, political campaigns, and other ventures in need of storytellers.
- Professional prose style
- Editing, revision, and proofreading
General Description of Field Activities:
Tiny Ecology Project – Each student will select a small outdoor location in the vicinity of Chincoteague to study as an ecological nexus. As writers, you will observe and investigate this place to generate engaging content, to advocate for an environmental intervention, and to argue for the value of this place to the community.
Guided trips to historic and natural sites in the Chincoteague area. These outings will connect writers to the stories tied to the history of this place and to the flora and fauna that gives it life.
Accompany scientific researchers on excursions into the Atlantic as science writers, practicing as journalists.
Approximate Amount of Course Time in the Field:
50%
Prerequisites:
ENGL 110 or equivalent introductory writing course
Required Textbook or Supplies:
All materials will be provided or made available as .pdf documents.
Number of Students:
20
2022 Chincoteague Bay Field Station Fee*:
Salicornia: $1,555
Traditional Housing: $1,405
* Does not include university tuition or fees. For specific policy on CBFS fees, click HERE (link will be updated for 2022 fees)
