In a Writing Across the Curriculum (W) course, your instructor teaches course content and helps you learn how professionals write in the field you’re studying. As a student, you can expect to write at least 4,500 words (about 18 pages) throughout the course of the semester through formal and informal writing assignments. The types of writing you may be assigned in these courses can vary—from lab reports to journals to blogs to formal research essays. These classes will help you become a better writer, which is an important skill in practically every workplace setting.

All students on the new core (students who entered the university in fall 2017 or later) are required to take a Writing Across the Curriculum course as part of their core curriculum.  *Transfer students who are on the new core need to fulfill the requirement.*

*Note that the “W” designation is attached to certain sections of courses, based on the instructor’s participation in a training workshop and based on the instructor following certain requirements, such as assigning a certain number of pages. For these reasons, if you took a course that now has the designation but did not when you took the course, you cannot retroactively receive credit.

You can select a “W” section of a course that you already need to take as a core or major requirement.  Writing Across the Curriculum courses are still three credits because W courses are not more work than non-W sections (see FAQ below).

Benefits include:

• The classes are capped at 19 students, which allows for more faculty-student interaction and more one-on-one help on writing.
• Students learn how to write within a particular discipline.
• Students receive writing support and resources beyond the first-year writing course.

More information & resources for instructors can be found here.

1. Register for and complete a W Course (see below for a list of course offerings).

While it is recommended that you try to take a W class within your own field of study, a number of core curriculum courses (and other courses) also have the W designation. “Note that the W designation is not credit-bearing. In other words, you can select a course that you need to take for another requirement, and as long as it has the W designation, you receive the W credit (assuming you accomplish steps 2 & 3 below). *Note: it is strongly advisable that you take your first-year writing course (ENGL 1112 or 1113) before you take a W class.

2. Receive a grade of C or higher on the written components of the course.

Your instructor will provide you with more details.

3. Complete an end-of-semester survey about your experience in the class and upload a writing sample from the class.

Students who do not need the W designation but are in the class do not need to upload a writing sample. (Your instructor will distribute the survey towards the end of the semester.)

1. Are W Courses More Work?

A W course does not necessarily require more work than the same course that’s offered without the W designation. It may require more writing, but that will be considered in the creation of assignments, exams, and homework. The W section may even require less writing than a non-W section because your instructor has decided to give you more time to revise your writing. The W simply means that your teacher has committed to talking with you about writing and giving you feedback on your assignments, having participated in professional development workshops that center around best practices for teaching writing.

2. A class I want to take is a W, but I don’t need the W credit because I am on the “old” core. Should I still take the class?

Yes. You can still take the class, and you will not have to complete the end-of-semester survey or upload a writing sample.

3. Can I take more than one W class?

Yes. In fact, taking more than one W can benefit you in your future career.

4. Do I need to pick a W course that’s in my major?

The W course does not need to be in your major; however, you are encouraged to select a W course in your major if one is available because it will help you learn the appropriate approaches to writing in your field. Some majors may require a certain W class, so always check with your advisor.

5. Is it true I can get WPA credit for taking a W course?

Yes! When you complete the end-of-semester survey, you will have the opportunity to let us know that you’d like your W course to cover your WPA requirement as well. We will take care of the rest! 

6. What do other students think of W Courses?

“I enjoyed this class and the discussion from the class lessons. Also felt that the writing assignments helped me develop as a writer.”

“The writing assignments were evenly spread out through the semester, which made it less strenuous to write over 15 pages of writing. The journal assignments enhanced my learning by allowing me to relate my personal experiences to topics in class.”

“This course really helped to improve my writing.”

“It was very helpful that the professor had sections of the paper due throughout the semester. When it came down to finishing the full paper, it was a lot easier to do since I had so much of it already completed.”

FACULTY/ADVISORS/STUDENTS:
Contact WATC@newhaven.edu