ENG 4815 - Spring 2026 - McMartin

This course investigates the nature of textuality—the production and circulation of texts across various modalities—and positions students’ expertise in analyzing, editing, and composing texts as an essential leadership skill for driving systemic change within organizations and communities. The study of textuality, a cornerstone of the humanities and rhetorical theory, holds that our world is full of complex texts to be interpreted and strategically engaged. True to the Latin root texere ("to weave"), this course understands all social structures—from corporate branding and institutional policy to media narratives and political discourse—as texts that can be interpreted, critiqued, and strategically rewritten. Developing these skillsets translates directly to our leadership capacity: the ability to envision, align, and inspire collective action. Like writing itself, leadership is an adaptive craft—recursive, integrative, and deeply human—demanding technical expertise alongside humility and collaboration. Students will apply participatory-action models of inquiry, rhetorical analysis, and composition to address systemic issues and build lasting change. The major assignment will be a professional portfolio that includes a multimedia text for public or organizational change, an academic essay synthesizing theory and strategy, and a reflective narrative on your profession path and vision of leadership. This course ensures students are prepared to lead change not only in the careers they enter but also the communities they care about.