University of Toronto

Writing Courses

List of Innis College Writing and Rhetoric Courses on offer in 2012-13:

INI 103H1F Writing Essays;
INI 203Y1Y Foundations of Written Discourse;
INI 204Y1Y The Academic Writing Process;
INI 300H1F Strategic Writing in Business and the Professions;
INI 301H1S Rhetoric and Media;
INI 302H1F,S Writing in Business and the Professions for Rotman Commerce students;
INI 304H1S Critical Thinking and Inquiry in Written Communication;
INI 310H1F Editing;
INI 311Y1Y Seminar in Creative Writing;
JEI 206H1F Writing English Essays.

Please note that this timetable has not yet been finalized, and there may be some discrepancies or omissions. We will update this page if there are any changes.

INI 103H1F

WRITING ESSAYS

Introduces the fundamentals of essay writing within an interdisciplinary context. Includes the history of the essay and its various rhetorical modes (narrative, descriptive, expository, argumentative), with a focus on humanities and social sciences essays. Both non-academic essays and essays from across the academic disciplines are examined in terms of purpose, audience, and persuasive strategies.

Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Humanities or Social Science course
Breadth Requirement: None
Method of instruction: lecture/discussion
Instructor: Viktoria Jovanovic-Krstic
FALL 2012

Lecture: Mondays 1-3, Innis Town Hall
TUT0101: Mondays 4-5, IN312
TUT0102: Mondays 3-4, IN312
TUT0201: Wednesdays 3-4, SS1084

 

INI 104H1

WRITING REPORTS (not offered in 2012-13)

Introduces the fundamentals of report writing within an interdisciplinary context. This writing intensive course focuses on improving writing skills appropriate to report writing genres. Informal, formal, research, and professional workplace reports are examined in terms of purpose, audience, structure, style, persuasive strategies, and use of visual rhetoric (tables, charts, graphs).

Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Humanities or Social Science course
Breadth Requirement: None
Method of instruction: lecture/discussion

 

INI 203Y1Y

FOUNDATIONS OF WRITTEN DISCOURSE

Designed to teach students to write persuasively and to recognize persuasive strategies at work in writing they analyze. Classical rhetorical terms, elements of style, and modes of argument are central to the course. Assignments include a rhetorical analysis, in-class essays, and a term essay. Readings include prose from a variety of disciplines, excluding fiction and poetry. Students who enrol in the course must demonstrate competence in the English language.

Prerequisite: Completion of 4.0 full-course equivalents.
Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Humanities course
Breadth Requirement: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)
Method of instruction: lecture/discussion
Instructor: Vikki Visvis
Lecture: Thursdays 10-1, LA341

 

 

INI 204Y1Y

THE ACADEMIC WRITING PROCESS

The strategy necessary to write complete pieces of non-fiction prose, especially exposition and argument. Concepts of planning and organization include: focusing, research, outlining, patterns of logical development, introduction, paragraph development, conclusion, argumentation and persuasion, documentation, and revision. Students for whom English is a second language should have an advanced level of fluency in English before enrolling.

Prerequisite: Completion of 4.0 full-course equivalents.
Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Humanities course
Breadth Requirement: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)
Method of instruction: lecture/discussion
Instructor: Roger Riendeau
Lecture: Mondays 6-9, Innis 312

 

INI 300H1F

STRATEGIC WRITING IN BUSINESS AND THE PROFESSIONS

Aims to teach students to recognize the rhetoric of the professional workplace and to communicate strategically and ethically using written and oral discourse appropriate to business, government, and not-for-profit organizations. Case study analysis using ethical reasoning models is a central component of the course.

Prerequisite: Completion of 4.0 full-course equivalents.
Exclusion: INI300Y1
Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Humanities or Social Science course
Breadth Requirement: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)
Method of instruction: lecture/discussion
Instructor: Viktoria Jovanovic-Krstic
FALL 2012

Lecture: Thursdays 2-5, LM155

 

INI 301H1S

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND WRITTEN DISCOURSE: RHETORIC AND THE PRINT MEDIA

Examines how the language and rhetoric of print media shape social issues. Rhetorical strategies at work in the media reporting of such controversial issues as international crises and military actions are examined. The construction of the columnists persona and the role of editorials are also examined.

Prerequisite: Completion of 4.0 full-course equivalents.
Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Humanities or Social Science course
Breadth Requirement: Society and its Institutions (3)
Method of instruction: lecture/discussion
Instructor: Cynthia Messenger
Lecture: Wednesdays 1-4, IN312

 

INI 302H1F,S

WRITING IN BUSINESS AND THE PROFESSIONS FOR ROTMAN COMMERCE STUDENTS

Designed for and restricted to undergraduates in Rotman Commerce. Assignments and course aims reflect the learning goals of the Rotman Commerce program. This course focuses on critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and the rhetoric of the world of business. The theory and practice of written and oral communication are also central. Case study analysis using ethical reasoning models is a central pedagogical tool.

Prerequisite: Completion of 10.0 full-course equivalents.
Exclusion: INI300Y1/INI300H1
Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Humanities or Social Science course
Breadth Requirement: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)
Method of instruction: lecture/discussion
Instructor: Melanie Stevenson

FALL 2012
INI302H1F, Fall Lecture: Mondays 2-4, RW143
INI302H1F, Fall TUT0101: Tuesdays 1-2, IN204
INI302H1F, Fall TUT0201: Thursdays 1-2, LA341

WINTER 2013
INI302H1S, Winter Lecture: Mondays 3-5, SS1069
INI302H1S, Winter TUT0101: Tuesdays 1-2, IN204
INI302H1S, Winter TUT0201: Thursdays 1-2, LA341

INI 304H1S

CRITICAL THINKING AND INQUIRY IN WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

This seminar in critical reading, analysis, and writing focuses on the nature, the evaluation, and the use and abuse of evidence in the process of formulating and supporting an argument. The case study method will be employed to assess the level of authority, credibility, and objectivity evident in public discourse, official sources, and academic inquiry.

Prerequisite: Completion of 4.0 full-course equivalents.
Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Humanities or Social Science course
Breadth Requirement: Thought, Belief and Behaviour (2)
Method of instruction: lecture/discussion
Instructor: Roger Riendeau

WINTER 2013
Lecture: Mondays 1-4, Innis 312

 

INI 305H1

WORD AND IMAGE IN MODERN WRITING (not offered in 2012 - 2013)

The rhetorical term Ekphrasis, which refers to writing that is about visual art, is central in the examination of the persuasive power of the conversation or discourse that is produced when the written word attempts the evocation of visual images. Course readings will include ekphrastic texts drawn from several disciplines and genres: journalism, informal essays, poetry, and scholarly writing.

Prerequisite: Completion of 4.0 full-course equivalents.
Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Humanities course
Breadth Requirement: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

 

INI 310H1F

EDITING

A study of professional editorial conventions, focusing on three stages of the editorial process: substantive editing, stylistic editing, and copy editing. As students learn these stages, they enhance their critical thinking, sharpen their language skills, and practise strategies for strengthening their own writing and the writing of others.

Prerequisite: Completion of 4.0 FCEs
Exclusion: INI409H1 (2009-10, 2011-12 topic: "Editing"); INI410H1 (2011-12 topic: "Scholarly Editing and Publishing")
Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Humanities course
Breadth Requirement: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

FALL 2012
Lecture: Mondays 3-6, Innis 204
Instructor: Rebecca Vogan

 

INI 311Y1Y

SEMINAR IN CREATIVE WRITING

This workshop course examines methodological approaches to literary fiction from the perspective of the creator. Through course readings, discussion, and creative writing assignments, student writers will learn how prose writers combine stylistic techniques, point-of-view, setting, character, scenes, and structure to produce literary effects.

Prerequisite: Experience or strong interest in writing fiction. 4.0 full-course equivalents, fluency in English.
Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Humanities course
Breadth Requirement: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)
Method of instruction: seminar/discussion
Instructor: Sharon English
Lecture: Fridays 1-4, Innis 204

 

JEI 206H1F

WRITING ENGLISH ESSAYS

This course teaches students who already write effectively how to write clear, compelling, research-informed English essays. The course aims to help students recognize the function of grammar and rhetoric, the importance of audience, and the persuasive role of style.

This course is open to both English Department students and students enrolled in the Writing and Rhetoric Program. It counts as an INI course toward the completion of Writing and Rhetoric Program requirements. In 2012-13, it is offered in the fall term only.

Prerequisite: 1.0 ENG FCE or any 4.0 FCE. English students have priority.
Distribution Requirement Status: This is a Humanities course
Breadth Requirement: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)
Instructor: Cynthia Messenger
FALL 2012
Lecture: Mondays 1-3, UC140
TUT0101: Wednesdays 1-2, RL14081
TUT0201: Wednesdays 2-3, SS2129
TUT0301: Wednesdays 3-4, SS2129