Writing-Intensive Course Guidelines
What is a Writing-Intensive Course?
A writing-intensive course is one where writing (formal and
informal) is an integral part of learning: that is, students in WIC write not
only to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject matter (tests and
research/term papers) but are engaged in informal, exploratory writing, writing
that they use to push their thinking, to deepen their understanding of the
subject matter, to explore questions they have about the subject matter.
In a WI course, the goal is to give students as many opportunities as
possible to write (exploratory writing-to-learn using informal formats and
writing-to-show-knowledge in formal assignments), to receive feedback from their
peers and their instructors during the writing process, and to demonstrate how
to write in a particular discipline, understanding the requirements regarding
writing styles inherent in that discipline.
WOU students are required to complete a minimum of two WI courses for
graduation. Ideally, they should have WIC in the major and the minor - courses
where class size is kept to 25 at most. Additionally, at least one of these WI
courses should be concentrated in the upper-division (300-400 level) offerings
where the subject matter of each discipline is explored in more depth than in
the LACC courses and where we can show students how to write in that
discipline's style. WR 135 is designated as a pre-requisite for UD WI courses.
Departments, then, need to develop and maintain upper-division WIC in the
majors/minors they offer. The Director of the Writing Center can provide
assistance for departments and instructors who are developing WI courses. The
Faculty Senate's Writing-Intensive Committee recommends the WIC label for
courses, based on statements and syllabi submitted by individuals or
departments, going through their curriculum committees.
Objectives of Writing Assignments
Objectives of WI discipline-specific writing assignments over the course
of a term should include the following:
- Students will show they can use writing to extend and deepen their learning
about their discipline.
- Students will show they can use sources for formal writing to critically
analyze, summarize, paraphrase, and incorporate ideas and quotations from their
reading into their writing as required in the particular discipline.
- Students will show they can generate ideas for, draft, revise and edit their
written work.
- Students will demonstrate skills in communicating the subject matter of their
discipline through accurate word choice, varied and coherent sentence structure,
and appropriate use of the conventions of standard written English.
- Students will organize information in their formal papers appropriately.
- Students will use the conventions of documentation within their discipline.
Guidelines for WIC Approval
The following guidelines have been designated as the basis for WIC
approval:
- Students must have regular, frequent opportunities to write.
- Students will use informal and formal writing to extend and deepen their
learning of the subject and to make connections between subjects in the
particular discipline. Specifically, the writing done should be not only formal
writing to show/transmit knowledge (papers and tests), but also informal writing
to explore, to think, and to learn. Informal writing could include journal
writing, reading logs where students record their questions and answers, project
logs where students record progress on a particular project, laboratory notes,
field notes, preliminary drafts (given peer or instructor feedback but not
graded), etc.
- Student formal and informal writing for the term should total approximately
5000 words (equivalent to about 20 typed, double-spaced pages). Approximately
60% of the total writing should be formal, polished writing.
- Students should have opportunities to have peer feedback for polished writing
assignments, and/or instructors should intervene in the early stages of writing
a paper through conferences or comments on drafts.
- Discipline-specific writing instruction and course content instruction should
be interdependent.
- Instructors should teach writing issues that pertain to their specific
discipline. The Campus Writing Center can provide support for students' general
writing skills development.
- At least 25% of the course grade should be based on the combined writing
components.
- Each course should have a maximum enrollment of 25 students.
Process for Writing Intensive Course Designation Approval
For a PERMANENT course change, follow the listed procedure:
- Complete a
Writing
Intensive Designation Form (MS Word formatted application) for the course that you wish to
change to WI course.
- Complete a permanent course change routing form and attach to your proposal.
- Obtain departmental and division approval signatures.
- Give the form/application packet to the chair of your division Curriculum
Committee.
For a TEMPORARY course change, follow the listed
procedure:
- Complete a
Writing
Intensive Designation Form (MS Word formatted application) for the course that you wish to
change to WI course.
- Complete a temporary course change approval form and attach to your proposal.
- Obtain departmental and division approval signatures.
- Send the form/application packet to the chair of the Writing Intensive
Committee, care of the current director of the Writing Center.
revised 3/03
WIC Forms
WIC
Designation Form (MS Word format)
WIC Transfer
Checklist (MS Word format)
Payment
