Skip to header Skip to Content Skip to Footer
Aerial over the Center for Marine Science pier

Coastal & Environmental Writing Minor

Develop Writing Skills That Explore, Explain and Advocate for the Environment

Our alumni work as:

Report on subjects related to climate change, pollution, government policy, nature and clean power.

Work in government agencies or with environmental organizations assisting in the development of guidelines, procedures, impact statements and proposals on issues affecting the coastal environment. 

Promote the work of coastal and environmental non-profit organizations, research centers or businesses.

Write novels, poetry and other works on nature or environmental issues.

Learn To

Demonstrate knowledge of critical coastal and environmental issues and communicate those stories to general and specialized audiences in compelling ways

Compose and critically evaluate diverse forms of journalism, advocacy, legal and strategic writing relevant to coastal communities and environmental issues

Use and hone the research, interviewing, writing and oral-presentation skills that are emphasized through the coursework, drawing from individuals, locations and organizations in the Cape Fear region and along the Carolina coast

Coastal and Environmental Writing Minor Program Overview

A Focus on Environmental Issues

At a time when climate issues are pressing, this minor offers you an opportunity to study the work of essential writers and artists while developing your own voice and adding to the greater conversation about the environment and our coastline.

The interdisciplinary minor in coastal and environmental writing will give you the opportunity to develop skills in environmental writing that is informed by the study of relevant science and literature.

Applied Learning

In completing this minor, you will perform a community-based internship that culminates in a writing project that benefits your internship agency.

Examples of possible projects are writing grant proposals, training manuals, newsletters, or feasibility reports; designing websites and writing web content; and producing service videos for the agency.

people on a beach at sunset

Sample Courses

View sample courses
CRW 204 Research for Creative Writers
ENG 202 Introduction to Journalism
EVS 195 Introduction to Environmental Sciences
EVS 205 Global Environmental Issues
OCN 250 Coasts and Society
See The Full Curriculum

How do I minor in Coastal & Environmental Writing?

The curriculum requires 21 credit hours: 15 hours in core courses, including three hours of internship and six hours in electives from two broad areas of study.

At least three of the six elective hours must be taken in courses at the 300-400 level.

See Everything happening in the
department

  • Related Programs

    Creative Writing, BFA

    Our BFA program provides aspiring writers an apprenticeship in writing, informed by the close study of literature among a community of professional writers.

    Learn More

    Creative Writing Minor

    Learn More

    English, B.A.

    Provides an exceptional academic experience grounded in critical inquiry, creativity, and application through three robust curriculum tracks in literary studies, professional writing, and teacher licensure.

    Learn More

    Film Studies, B.A.

    Through film studies, you will learn to see film as an artistic medium, a cultural expression, a rhetorical device, a technical production and a commercial enterprise.

    Learn More

    Environmental Sciences

    Designed to give students the depth of intellectual and analytical skills along with the scholarly background necessary to understand and solve environmental problems.

    Learn More about the Minor

    Learn More the B.S. degree

    Journalism Minor

    Draws from the rich array of courses offered by both the English Department and the Communications Department to give students a broad base of knowledge that applies directly and practically to the world of print, online and broadcast journalism.

    Learn More

  • English, M.A.

    With prize-winning teachers and scholars, including Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award winners and recipients of the Distinguished Teaching Professorship Award, classes are small, interactive, and student-centered.

    Learn More

    Environmental Studies, M.S.

    Interdisciplinary, graduate degrees designed for professionals, practitioners, citizens, and students who wish to strengthen their knowledge of the environment.

    Learn More

    Creative Writing, MFA

    This 48-hour apprenticeship, requires a total of 21 hours of writing workshops, 21 hours of literature or other elective courses and six thesis hours, leading to completion and defense of a substantial book-length manuscript of literary merit and publishable quality.