W-Course Guidelines

Faculty designing or revising a writing-intensive course should follow these guidelines:

1. Students in W-courses should write regularly from the beginning of the term onward. Students writing in the last month of class should be able to work from what they have learned by writing in the first month. By the end of the term, students should have written a minimum of 20-25 pages.

2. Students should complete a variety of writing assignments during the semester, both formal and informal. Assignment handouts should help students understand the purpose of the assignment and how to complete it successfully. Students should also be made aware of how each assignment will be evaluated.

3. At some point(s) in the semester, students should revise a piece of writing substantially. A W-course revision should enable students to develop and extend what they have begun in an earlier draft. Instructors should allow sufficient time between a draft and a scheduled revision so that they can provide effective written commentary to the students.

4. Although students typically do most of their formal writing outside the classroom, in a W-course they should also spend time in class learning to write. Instructors should direct the students' attention to writing issues (whether specific to the discipline or more general), and use class time helping students address those issues.

Instructors are welcome to consult with Beth Matway or other members of the College Writing Board before submitting their proposals.