A. University Studies Component Form: Writing Intensive Courses
I. Rationale
Please provide a rationale for the course which explains how the course being proposed fits into this
component based on the component's description. For your convenience, the overall description and rationale
for this component are included below.
Overall Description and Rationale for Writing Intensive Courses
This component of the University Studies program is designed to help students to develop their
writing skills throughout their college careers by taking upper-level, writing intensive courses in a
range of disciplines, including their major fields of study. Writing and communication skills have
been deemed centrally important for students and college graduates by members of the academy
and community stakeholders. Participation in the courses in this component will help students to
understand the importance of and the requirements for successful discourse in a variety of subject
areas and recognize that written communication skills are universally important for excellence in all
fields of study. Writing-intensive courses foster learning through writing, using written work to
cultivate a complex and in-depth understanding of course concepts. Instructors of writing intensive
courses should provide significant, constructive feedback on written work and incorporate a
process-approach to writing that includes techniques such as invention/brainstorming, drafting,
teacher conferences, peer review, and revision.
Brief Statement of Rationale for Course's Inclusion in Writing Intensive Courses
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II. Common Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Each course must address all of the Common Student Learning Outcomes for the component, and list these
Common SLOs along with course-specific SLOs in the model course syllabus (to be attached). For each
Common SLO, list the course SLOs that address the common SLO, describe the opportunities which will be
provided for students to learn the outcome (readings, class discussion and/or activities, applied projects), and
list the means of assessment (exams, papers, projects, quizzes, etc.) that will be used to determine the level of
student understanding.
WI 1. Locate appropriate sources of information to support written arguments.
Course SLO(s) to Address WI1
Opportunities for Student Learning
(reading, researching, discussing, listening, viewing, etc.)
Means of Assessing Course SLO(s)
(exams, papers, projects, quizzes, etc.)
2
WI 2. Evaluate and use evidence to generalize, explain, and interpret content.
Course SLO(s) to Address WI2
Opportunities for Student Learning
(reading, researching, discussing, listening, viewing, etc.)
Means of Assessing Course SLO(s)
(exams, papers, projects, quizzes, etc.)
3
WI 3. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical use and citation of the ideas of others used
as supporting material in written work.
Course SLO(s) to Address WI3
Opportunities for Student Learning
(reading, researching, discussing, listening, viewing, etc.)
Means of Assessing Course SLO(s)
(exams, papers, projects, quizzes, etc.)
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WI 4. Demonstrate the ability to write critically, using the conventions of the discipline
covered in the course.
Course SLO(s) to Address WI4
Opportunities for Student Learning
(reading, researching, discussing, listening, viewing, etc.)
Means of Assessing Course SLO(s)
(exams, papers, projects, quizzes, etc.)
5
WI 5. Analyze and evaluate the claims, arguments, and theories presented course materials
using appropriate methods (such as logical analysis and the identification of fallacies).
Course SLO(s) to Address WI5
Opportunities for Student Learning
(reading, researching, discussing, listening, viewing, etc.)
Means of Assessing Course SLO(s)
(exams, papers, projects, quizzes, etc.)
Submission instructions:
Please submit cover form, all component forms, a model syllabus, and College/School’s course
action form (if needed) to your department chair. Department chairs should then submit these
forms, syllabus, and course action form (if needed) in one email message to
universitystudies@uncw.edu from their UNCW email address.
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