The interdisciplinary WSCR minor combines courses taught by professors in English, Philosophy, and the Clark Honors College. Students develop their writing and speaking skills to become more culturally responsive communicators in both their careers and their civic lives.
Explore WSCR Courses
The University of Oregon course catalog offers degree plans and a complete list of courses in the Writing, Public Speaking, and Creative Reasoning Program.
Featured Courses
WR 123 College Composition III
WR 123 shares learning objectives and work expectations with WR 122z. In WR 123, student work is focused on research and writing formats relevant to specific communities with some hands-on experience with real world contexts. WR 123 is a good choice for students who are curious about:
- Entry-level hands-on experience with research and writing in public or specialized vocations;
- Pursuing the Writing, Public Speaking, and Critical Reasoning (WSCR) Minor.
4 credits
Fulfills Written English graduation requirement; counts toward the WSCR minor
ENG 335 Inventing Arguments
Learn on location how arguments are “invented” in different communities.
- Use principles of rhetoric to make connections and communicate across differences
- Develop civic and technology literacies by creating arguments in a variety of formats
4 credits
Arts & Letters satisfying, counts toward WSCR minor
ENG 330 Oral Controversy and Advocacy
Learn principles of rhetoric and reasoning in public argumentation and advocacy.
- Practice public speaking and debate in a supportive environment
- Great preparation for presentations of all kinds!
4 credits
Arts & Letters satisfying, counts toward WSCR minor
Upcoming Courses
Fall 2025
CATEGORY: Writing
CRN | COURSE | title | time/day | instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Multiple | WR 123 | College Composition III | VARIES | Multiple |
15391 | WR 320 | Scientific and Technical Writing | ASYNC WEB | TBA |
15392 | WR 320 | Scientific and Technical Writing | TR 10:00-11:20 | TBA |
15393 | WR 321 | Business Communication | ASYNC WEB | TBA |
15394 | WR 321 | Business Communication | TR 12:00-1:20 | TBA |
CATEGORY: Public Speaking/Rhetoric
CRN | COURSE | title | time/day | instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
11875 | ENG 200 | Public Speaking as a Liberal Art | TR 2:00-3:50 | Waddell |
11903 | ENG 330 | Oral Controversy and Advocacy | MW 12:00-1:20 | Smars |
11923 | ENG 492 | History of Rhetoric and Composition | TR 4:00-5:50 | Jones |
CATEGORY: Critical Reasoning
CRN | COURSE | Title | time/day | instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
11904 | ENG 335 | Inventing Arguments | TR 4:00-5:50 | Simnitt |
15912 | PHIL 103 | Critical Reasoning | MTWR 9:00-9:50 | TBA |
Possible Substitutes (Approval Required)
CRN | COURSE | title | time/day | Instructor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
14291 | PHIL 102 | ***Ethics | MTWR 9:00-9:50 | TBA |
14317 + | PHIL 225 | ***Introduction to Formal Logic | TR 12:00-1:20 +Discussion | Weissler |
13030 + | LING 201 | ***Language and Power in the US | TR 12:30-1:50 +Discussion | Belmar Viernes |
15390 | WR 312 | *Principles of Tutoring Writing | R 2:00-3:20 +WEB | TBA |
16326 | ENG 399 | *Writing Associates | R 4:00-5:50 | Bryant-Berg |
15395 | WR 408 | Independent Writing Project | N/A | TBA |
*Can be substituted by approval from WSCR Director for Writing course
**Can be substituted by approval from WSCR Director for Public Speaking/Rhetoric course
***Can be substituted by approval from WSCR Director for Critical Reasoning course
NOTE: Remember that a maximum of three lower division courses count toward the minor