Blogging Links

Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) programs promote the use of writing to learn across disciplines, not just in composition or writing courses in English departments. A central premise is that the responsibility of teaching writing, especially within the disciplines, should be shared by faculty in all departments and programs. WAC, and its Coordinator, Dr. Elizabeth Ahl, seek to help all students become better writers and all faculty to become better teachers of writing. WAC also aims to promote curricular innovation in the teaching of writing, encourage all faculty to use writing to help students learn, and to generally keep the conversation about writing lively and relevant.

WAC'S MISSION AT PLYMOUTH STATE

Historically, the primary purpose of WAC at Plymouth State has been to support the writing intensive courses (offered to fulfill a general education writing requirement in all majors) by offering workshops and other training and resources to faculty. WAC is also fundamentally connected to the University Writing and Reading Center, and its director Roy Andrews is an excellent resource for all faculty who use writing in their courses. Students in writing intensive courses also find a lot of support at the Writing Center, which offers a wide range of consulting services.

As writing-to-learn has been integrated into more and more courses and programs, WAC has developed an even broader reach. Many faculty want to incorporate more writing into their courses, but want to discuss different options for doing so in a supportive and collegial environment. Others want to learn how to better respond to student writing and assess student papers. Through workshops, one-on-one conversations, and publications like the Out of WAC Newsletter, the WAC Coordinator strives to keep writing pedagogy on the minds and in the syllabi of PSU faculty.