What WAC Means to Students

For students, WAC is most visible through the writing-intensive courses.

Under the new Core Curriculum, students are required to take a series of writing- and speaking-intensive courses throughout their college career. 

To be considered writing-intensive, a course must require significant writing.  This would be satisfied by three papers, each being a minimum of five pages, or any requirement comparable to this.  In addition to the number of pages, the student must be given regular and continuing feedback on his/her written work. 

This sequence begins with English 101 Writing I and English 102 Writing II.  Writing I focuses on introducing students to college-level argumentative writing; Writing II builds on Writing 1 and focuses on the use of research and secondary sources in academic writing.   (Click here to see learning outcomes for Writing I and II ).

In addition to these two introductory writing courses, students will take a minimum of three to four writing-intensive courses:

• First Year Seminar: During their first year, students take a First Year Seminar, a writing-intensive topical course that may be offered by any department.  
• Second Year Seminar: During their second year, students take a Second Year Seminar, a writing- or speaking-intensive topical course that may also be offered by any department. 
• Writing-Intensive Course in a Core Distribution: Students are required to take an additional writing-intensive course in a core distribution.
• Writing-Intensive Upper-Level Course in the Major: Students are required to take a writing-intensive upper-level course in their major.  If students have dual majors, they are required to take a writing-intensive upper-level course in each of their majors.

For a list of writing-intensive courses in the distribution areas and writing-intensive upper-level courses in the majors, click here.

Last Modified: November 7, 2007