Writing Across the Curriculum

What is Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)?

• a program of curricular change through faculty development

What are the major premises of WAC?

• writing is a way of critical thinking
• writing is a process of making decisions and evaluating the effectiveness of those decisions through drafting, feedback, and revision opportunities
• writing is a tool for learning
• writing is a performance-based skill
• writing occurs in a context

What are the primary goals of Longview's WAC Program?

• to provide professional development opportunities for faculty to acquaint them with WAC philosophy and strategies
• to provide individual consultation and ongoing support for faculty members as they experiment with new strategies and ideas in their courses

How does WAC work at Longview?

Introductory WAC Workshops

• introduction to basic WAC theories and strategies in a workshop setting
• presumes no previous knowledge of WAC

Individual Consultation with WAC Coordinator

• course projects developed collaboratively with WAC Coordinator
• feedback provided on existing assignments and processes
• coaching provided for evaluation of student writing
• custom-designed support materials for course projects
• custom-designed class presentations and workshops

Writing Intensive Program

• provides lower student-teacher ratio (class cap of 28)
• focuses on consistently using writing as a tool for learning
• permits more opportunity for instructor feedback on student work in drafts of projects and informal writing
• encourages students to value revision by reflecting on writing decisions, determining their effectiveness, and making appropriate changes if necessary
• provides support for faculty and opportunities to confer with colleagues