Rhetoric and Composition

Laurie Hovell McMillin, Professor, Director of Writing Program, Chair
Jan Cooper, John Charles Reid Associate Professor
Cortney Smith, Visiting Assistant Professor
Hal Sundt, Visiting Assistant Professor

Visit the department webpage for up-to-date information on department faculty, visiting lecturers and special events.

The Rhetoric and Composition Department supports the college-wide commitment to the teaching of writing. Writing is one of the primary skills needed at Oberlin and is also necessary for almost any occupation to which an Oberlin graduate might aspire. Beyond these practical values, writing serves as one of the most essential tools for inquiry in a liberal education. All Oberlin students are strongly encouraged to pursue the goal of writing well.

See information about Research, Internships, Study Away and Experiential Learning (RISE).

Major

No major is offered in Rhetoric and Composition, but students with such interests might consider majoring in English or Creative Writing.

Writing Associate Training

Students interested in training to be Writing Associates (peer tutors) should apply for consent to enroll in RHET 401/ENGL 399. Please consult the instructor of RHET 401 for details.

Seeking Writing Assistance

Members of the Rhetoric and Composition Department will be glad to consult with students interested in working on their writing at any level or with any faculty member seeking advice about working with students to improve their writing.

Explore Winter Term projects and opportunities.

Majors and Minors

Courses for First-Year Students Only

The Rhetoric and Composition Department regularly offers at least one First-Year Seminar per year. First-year students seeking a small, writing-intensive course to orient them to the liberal arts at Oberlin College should seriously consider taking FYSP.

Writing Courses for First-and Second-Year Students

For first- or second-year students seeking an introduction to college writing. These 100-level courses focus on a variety of topics, but they all offer substantial attention to the process of writing and to critical thinking and reading. Many sections are interdisciplinary and employ a workshop/discussion format. Especially recommended for first- and second-year students who want to prepare for other Writing Intensive or Writing Advanced courses across the curriculum. The Rhetoric and Composition courses 101 through 105 cover essentially the same skills and issues: writing processes and strategies and writing for various purposes and audiences. The course numbers do not indicate a sequence; instead, they signify the different emphases and approaches adopted by various instructors.

Writing Courses for Students Beyond the First Year

Rhetoric and Composition courses at the 200 and 300-level are intended for students beyond the first year who are interested in improving their writing skills. Issues in disciplinary discourses and composing and revising for a range of writing tasks are emphasized through frequent writing assignments, class discussions, and writing workshops. First-year students may enroll in these courses only by special consent of the instructor.

Courses

Rhetoric & Composition