WI (writing intensive) courses use writing to promote the learning of course subject material.

WI courses provide interaction between instructor and student while the student plans and completes assigned writing. This interaction can occur in a variety of ways:

• guided and free writing;
• directed peer-writing groups;
• class discussions concerning the rhetorical/mechanical requirements of writing assignments before, during, and after papers are submitted;
• written comments of instructor and/or Learning Lab staff on student outlines and drafts;
• one-on-one student/instructor conferences before, during, and after papers are submitted;
• tutorial support for both instructor and student from Learning Lab professional staff.

In summary, the instructor will:

• review
• comment upon
• guide
• consult students before, during, and after writing assignments.

Writing plays a major role in determining the grade for the course.

Students complete the equivalent of sixteen (16) typed pages of writing – a minimum of four thousand (4,000) words, of which roughly 40% (6-7 pages, or 1600 words) should be edited and finished prose. Depending on the course, this may include informal, as well as formal writing, short essays, critical reviews, lab reports, etc.

Enrollments in a WI course will be limited to twenty students.

WI course instructors will submit a completed WI application form and the portion of the course syllabus that incorporates WI criteria to the WI committee for review the semester before a course will be taught. WI faculty agree to attend one training session per semester. All WI faculty are encouraged to share information at WI meetings. At the conclusion of each semester, student and self-assessment surveys will be submitted to the campus WI coordinator /committee.

A new application/agreement with sample syllabus will be submitted to the WI committee for each semester the course is taught. Agreements are course/semester and instructor dependent.