What is Writing Across the Curriculum?

Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) is an educational movement that emerged in the mid-1970s at several small colleges before spreading to postsecondary institutions of all sizes, public and private, in the years that followed.  The movement originated partly in response to the national literacy crisis declared by popular media at the time.  Rather than follow the call to get "back to basics" - that is, to approach the teaching of writing as a remedial activity - some institutions brought together faculty from a wide range of fields to explore the significance of writing in their disciplines and to consider alternatives to mere remediation.

The program is designed to engage students in writing across subject areas and to support faculty from all disciplines in their attempt to provide effective writing instruction.  WAC programs are generally committed to the following premises:

1. Writing is a powerful mode of learning that can deepen inquiry into any subject or discipline.

2. Teachers within a discipline best understand - and are best positioned to teach - the forms of writing required by their discipline.

3. Students learn to write by writing often, by receiving feedback from teachers and peers, and by having the opportunity to revise their work.

Ultimately, WAC programs hope to create a campus climate in which both faculty and students recognize writing as a central element not only in English classes but in courses throughout the curriculum.

Recognizing the importance of writing both inside and outside the academy, the University of Pittsburgh encourages faculty from all disciplines to design courses that offer students frequent opportunities to write.  If students are to develop as writers, they must regularly produce, critique, and revise writing not only in their first-year composition course but also in courses across the curriculum throughout their college career.  As a powerful form of learning and thinking, writing can deepen students' engagement with the subject under study and help them to participate in critical inquiry.

Requirements

Undergraduates in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh are required to take at least three Writing-Intensive (W) courses:

1. English Composition 0200 (Seminar in Composition) or its equivalent;

2. one W course offered within the student's departmental major;
   
   
3. one W course of the student's choice.
   
   

In each of these courses, students are asked to write regularly; they receive substantive comments and suggestions for improvement; and they have the opportunity to revise at least one of their assignments.

Administration

Writing across the Curriculum at Pitt is administered by the College Writing Board, a committee of faculty from disciplines within the School of Arts and Sciences. The Board screens proposed Writing-Intensive courses, arranges faculty workshops on writing instruction, and adjudicates entries for the Ossip Writing Award.