The Program for Writing and Rhetoric in the Disciplines promotes the use of writing both in students' learning and in their ability to communicate what they have learned. Our writing courses focus on critical and creative thinking, conventions of academic discourse, and persuasive argumentation. Through writing, students learn to use the methods of inquiry and the specialized forms and styles appropriate to the major disciplines.
The program offers a number of forums in which students may improve their writing. Some students may want to develop fundamental writing skills. These students may elect to take one of our introductory "Writing Process" courses (WP 100 or WP 101) either concurrently with the First-Year Seminar or in the second semester. Others may want to refine their skills at a more advanced level. They have the option of taking 200-level "Writing Process" courses. Taught by Writing Program Staff, all "Writing Process" courses provide opportunities for extensive work on students' writing both in the classroom and in one-on-one tutorial sessions.
All writers can benefit from responses to works in progress. At the Center for Teaching Learning and Research (suite 225 in the new library), all students may schedule individual tutorial sessions with experienced tutors for assistance in all phases of writing assignments, and for help in developing their writing skills.
The Writing Program also supports the teaching of writing by organizing and encouraging College-wide involvement in writing across the curriculum. All academic departments participate in the College Writing Program, offering "writing intensive" courses within the major and in the First-Year Seminar Program. And members of our staff participate in weekly lunch meetings, open to all faculty and instructors, on the teaching of writing.