Do you like food? Do you, at the very least, have some sort of relationship
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Freedom Readers: A Book Club That Builds Bridges
You may have read about WRD 377: Writing and Social Engagement here on our
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Women of Graceland Cemetery: Composing Audio Tours to Craft Untold Histories
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025 DePaul students, faculty, and Graceland Cemetery staff
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Course Spotlight – WRD 376: Field Work in Arts Writing: Food Writing
Do you like food? Do you, at the very least, have some sort of relationship with food? If so, WRD 376 Field Work in Arts Writing: Food Writing may be a course you take next quarter. Professor Carolyn Vos will urge students to “explore how physical, emotional, and cultural dimensions of food can help shape compelling narratives.” Over the course of the quarter, students will have a chance to engage with fieldwork and come to understand the intersection between storytelling identity and culture. The first assignment of the quarter requires that students go to an art museum and engage with
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Program Spotlight: DePaul’s Major in Computer Science + Writing & Rhetoric
Are you interested in both modern digital technologies and writing? Here’s the good news: You don’t have to choose one or the other. You don’t even have to get two separate degrees to explore both fields. Today’s world is full of communication-centered technologies. With the rise of AI and social media, it’s becoming increasingly important that programmers have a solid understanding of communication and social science. It’s also essential for today’s writers to have good technical skills. That’s why DePaul offers a B.S. in Computer Science + Writing and Rhetoric (CS + W&R), an interdisciplinary degree that equips students to navigate this evolving digital landscape. But don’t just take our word for it. Allie Gesdorf is a CS + W&R student who’s currently finishing her second year in the program, and she has
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Course Spotlight – WRD 541: Composition Theory
Are you interested in learning more about the history of writing, rhetoric, and composition studies? Do you want to teach writing and composition? Do you simply want to better understand things like process, genre, audience, and writing technologies? This spring, Dr. Erin Workman is teaching WRD 541: Composition Theory. It’s the first time this course has been offered since 2018, so you won’t want to miss it. Read on to hear more from Dr. Workman on what the course will be like. What interests you about this topic? I remember my first exposure to composition theory as an English Lit MA student who had never heard of rhetoric and composition before, and it interested me so much that I ended up
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Course Spotlight – WRD 309: Persuasion in the Age of TikTok
From conspiratorial rabbit holes to makeup tutorials, Americans are trapped within algorithms and a constant influx of information. College aged students have found themselves at the genesis of the social media age, and while it affects everyone, it can be overwhelming to face political and social issues online. Professor Poncin Reeves wants to equip students to engage in thoughtful dialogue around meaningful and sometimes controversial topics. WRD 390: Persuasion in the Age of TikTok will address how “democracy encounters the information deluge of social media.” Crosslisted as LSP 275: Lived Civics, The Social Contract and Public Life, this course will
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Course Spotlight – WRD 232: The Language of Disability
Do you have a disability or know someone who does? No matter who you are, the answer is almost certainly yes. What’s less clear-cut is what disability is, exactly, and what we should do when we encounter it, whether it’s our own disability or that of someone we know. This spring, Dr. Monica Reyes is teaching WRD 232: The Language of Disability, a course that explores the intersection of disability, culture, and society. It examines how the language we use defines, describes, and creates real-world effects for those with disabilities. Has this course been offered before, and is this your
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Freedom Readers: A Book Club That Builds Bridges
You may have read about WRD 377: Writing and Social Engagement here on our blog last year. This course is part of Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, giving DePaul students and their incarcerated peers a chance to learn alongside each other. It is a wonderful opportunity to create more community involvement and connection. But what about students who would love to get involved but couldn’t fit the class into their schedules? Well, we have good news! Freedom Readers is a book club born out of that class, and DePaul students and alumni are welcome to participate. In this article, we talk to Coray Ames Hoffner and Salli Berg Seeley, the two WRD faculty members who oversee the book club, as well as former WRD 377 student and current TA Michelle. Read on
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Why you should apply to an Internship
According to Forbes, Interns are almost 25% more likely than non-interns to start a full-time position within 6 months of graduation. The article goes on to suggest that even if you don’t secure a job from the company you intern for, there are still invaluable experiences to be had and professional connections to be made. An internship can count as a course credit and the WRD department has many resources to help you succeed during the duration of the internship. Amber Corkey and myself, Callie McNorton, are both MAWRD students who have utilized internships to seek professional growth and gain
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Women of Graceland Cemetery: Composing Audio Tours to Craft Untold Histories
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025 DePaul students, faculty, and Graceland Cemetery staff gathered in the chapel of the historic cemetery on Chicago’s north side for the final presentation of Professor Julie Bokser’s course, WRD 377: Writing and Social Engagement: Women of Graceland. The event showcased the final product of the class’s work during the quarter: a completed audio tour that highlights the overlooked histories of women writers and rhetors buried at Graceland Cemetery. This course was a part of DePaul’s Hidden Narratives Initiative, a program that directly partners with DePaul classes and Graceland to produce accessible resources for visitors to
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Alumni Spotlight – Ella Yates
Do you remember when WRD alum Ella Yates sang the National Anthem at Wrigley Field earlier this year? We sure do! Not only is she an accomplished singer, she also excelled during her time at DePaul until her recent graduation in June. With a Bachelor of Arts in Writing, Rhetoric and Discourse, a minor in Creative Writing, and the William E. Hay Leadership Accelerator Certification, Ella continues to succeed outside of school. Learn more about her time at DePaul and how she applies what she learned in WRD in the real world. Why did you decide to pursue a degree
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Student Spotlight – Amber Corkey
Amber Corkey is no stranger to WRD as a 5th year student completing the combined degree program. A graduate of the undergraduate program, Amber will soon complete the MAWRD degree with a Professional and Digital Writing concentration and a SWAN (Strategic Writing and Advancement for Nonprofits) certification. Not only is Amber a tutor and Professional Development Student Manager at the Writing Center, they also hold the title of Chief Copy Editor and Newsletter Editor at The DePaulia. Read on to learn more about this star student, their plans for the future, and what experiences have impacted them the most during
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