University Studies Program
Writing (WA, WB, WC)
(May 21, 2002)
(updated January 9, 2003)
Definition:
Written communication is the set of abilities required to compose, critically analyze, and
present information through writing.
Rationale:
University Studies Program writing courses will assist students to achieve knowledge of
writing conventions, to develop reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, and to gain
competence in rhetorical knowledge.
Outcomes:
For WA, students will demonstrate the ability to:
1. Explore, organize, and communicate ideas in writing.
2. Find, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize information from a variety of sources as
well as document sources appropriately in order to meet the needs of diverse
forums.
3. Make effective use of multiple drafts, of revision and editing, of computer
technology, and of peer and instructor comments in the achievement of a final
written work.
4. Recognize the importance of purpose, audience and style as components of
written texts, and address these components in their writing.
5. Observe the accepted conventions of spelling, grammar, structure, and
punctuation for Standard English.
For WB, students will demonstrate the ability to:
1. Produce writing through a variety of assignments that include discipline based
and/or interdisciplinary purposes, forms, and audiences.
2. Find, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize information using sources in a specific
discipline and/or interdisciplinary field, and document appropriately such sources.
3. Make effective use of multiple drafts, of revision and editing, of computer
technology, of peer and instructor comments, and of collaboration in the
achievement of discipline based and/or interdisciplinary final written works.
4. Use appropriate research skills in at least one extensive writing assignment.
5. Recognize the purposes and needs of audiences in a specific discipline and/or
interdisciplinary field and follow the conventions of format and language
appropriate to that discipline and/or interdisciplinary field.
6. Observe the accepted conventions of spelling, grammar, structure, and
punctuation for Standard English or another language.
For WC, students will demonstrate the ability to:
1. Use the discourse of a discipline and/or interdisciplinary field and communicate
that field’s subject matter to academic and/or professional audiences.
2. Make effective use of multiple drafts, of revision and editing, of computer
technology, of peer and instructor comments, and of collaboration in the
achievement of writing that shows understanding of written standards in a
discipline and/or interdisciplinary field.
3. Address issues in a discipline and/or interdisciplinary field by completing a
substantial writing project that requires appropriate research skills.
4. Recognize and understand more advanced aspects or writing that respond to the
purposes and needs of audiences in a discipline, interdisciplinary field, and/or
professional setting.
5. Observe the conventions of spelling, grammar, structure, punctuation, and
documentation expected in disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and/or professional
contexts.
Criteria for Approval of University Studies Courses:
1. All WA classes will be taught in the department of English and the Honors
Program. Placements will occur through a process worked out by relevant parties.
2. W courses must attend to knowledge and application of conventions; reading,
writing, and critical thinking skills; and rhetorical knowledge (learning to adapt
arguments, evidence, style, etc. for readers in a specific discipline).
3. Writing assignments in W courses should include a variety of interdisciplinary
and discipline-related purposes, forms, and audiences.
4. At each W level, at least one extensive writing assignment should require
demonstration of appropriate research skills.
5. A low student/teacher ratio is recommended.
6. How writing will be addressed in a WB or WC course must be addressed
specifically in the course syllabus.
Fulfilling the Requirement
Students may fulfill the WA, WB, and WC requirements by successfully completing
approved WA, WB, and WC courses. They may also fulfill the WA requirement by
placement or other measures identified by relevant parties. The WB and WC
requirements may be fulfilled by courses taught in the Honors Program and English
department or as an embedded part of courses in disciplines and interdisciplinary
programs offered throughout the university. The W courses must be taken in order -WA, WB, then WC.
Process
Using the University Studies Program criteria and outcomes, a sub-committee of three
selected from the membership of the University Studies Committee will evaluate each
course submitted for credit within the Writing category (WA, WB, WC) and will make
recommendations to the full committee.
University Studies Program
Criteria Review Sheet
Writing 3 (WC)
University Studies Program writing courses will assist students to achieve knowledge of
writing conventions, to develop reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, and to gain
competence in rhetorical knowledge.
For WC, students will demonstrate the ability to:
1. Use the discourse of a discipline and/or interdisciplinary field and communicate
that field’s subject matter to academic and/or professional audiences.
2. Make effective use of multiple drafts, of revision and editing, of computer
technology, of peer and instructor comments, and of collaboration in the
achievement of writing that shows understanding of written standards in a
discipline and/or interdisciplinary field.
3. Address issues in a discipline and/or interdisciplinary field by completing a
substantial writing project that requires appropriate research skills.
4. Recognize and understand more advanced aspects or writing that respond to the
purposes and needs of audiences in a discipline, interdisciplinary field, and/or
professional setting.
5. Observe the conventions of spelling, grammar, structure, punctuation, and
documentation expected in disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and/or professional
contexts.
Course Prefix & Number:
Credit Hours:
Course Title:
Please attach a detailed course syllabus that includes the objectives or outcomes for the
course and the means to assess the extent that students reach them.
List any prerequisites including placement (WB must be a prerequisite):
What is the anticipated student/teacher ratio?
1. Using information from the syllabus, please describe how this course meets the
learning goals (outcomes) and criteria for the WC category. You may respond by
answering the questions A-H below. Alternatively, you may cite any 4 to 5
assignments from your syllabus, analyzing them so as to convey to the
subcommittee exactly how those assignments, individually or in combination,
fulfill the 8 outcomes for a WC class. Keep your analysis to a page in length.
Realize that your audience is the USP committee who may or may not be familiar
with the assumptions of your field. Be clear and concise. Address all 8
outcomes.
A. How will students use the discourse of a discipline and/or interdisciplinary
field and communicate that field’s subject matter to academic and/or
professional audience?
B. How will students make effective use of multiple drafts, of revision and
editing, of computer technology, of peer and instructor comments, and of
collaboration in the achievement of writing that shows understanding of
written standards in a discipline and/or interdisciplinary field?
C. How will students address issues in a discipline and/or interdisciplinary
field by completing a substantial writing project that requires appropriate
research skills?
D. How will students recognize and understand more advanced aspects or
writing that respond to the purposes and needs of audiences in a discipline,
interdisciplinary field, and/or professional setting?
E. How will students recognize the purposes and needs of audiences in a
specific discipline and/or interdisciplinary field and follow the
conventions of format and language appropriate to that discipline and/or
interdisciplinary field?
F. How will students demonstrate their knowledge and application of
reading, writing, and critical thinking skills; and rhetorical knowledge
(learning to adapt arguments, evidence, style, etc. for readers in a specific
discipline).
G. Discuss the variety of interdisciplinary and discipline-related purposes,
forms and audiences.
H. How will students demonstrate their ability to control the conventions of
spelling, grammar, structure, punctuation, and documentation expected in
disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and/or professional contexts?
2
If embedded in another course, has an appropriate portion of the course been
dedicated to the instruction and feedback of writing? Is this detailed in the
syllabus? Describe.
3
Explain how the assessment method(s) used for this course demonstrate student
achievement of the learning outcomes for the WC category. Explain how this
assessment might provide information that can be used to improve
accomplishment of desired learning outcomes.
4
What other factors should the committee consider?