last modified:2008-12-03 13:34:57
Upper Division Communication/Writing (CW) Requirement Mission Statement, and Criteria
| Upper Division Communication/Writing (CW) Courses | Upper Division Communication/Writing Committee | CW Course Review Page |
Applying for the CW Designation: To receive the designation for a course, departments need to apply through the Office of Undergraduate Studies. You can access the online application by clicking here or the "CW Course Review Page" link at the top of this page. Departments will be asked to complete an application in which they will answer questions regarding how their course meets each of the criteria below and they will be asked to submit a representative syllabus for the course. You can view an excellent example of a syllabus by clicking here.
Mission Statement - The Upper Division Communication/Writing requirement prepares students to speak and write clearly within the standards of practice set by the discipline. It provides students advanced instruction in speaking and writing so that those skills continue to develop throughout the educational program.
Criteria - The Upper Division Communication and Writing (CW) Requirement Committee has approved the following criteria for courses meeting the requirement:
1. In the course, students learn to speak and/or write critically. [Describe the ways that the course uses writing or speaking to teach course material, to question, to relate new material to other concepts, to uncover assumptions, and to make inferences.]
2. The course requires students to use multiple forms of writing and communication. [Describe the multiple types of writing or speaking (outlines, papers, journals, speeches, debate, etc.) used in the course.]
3. In the course, students are asked to revise their work more than once, based on feedback. [Describe the ways students use instructor or peer feedback to revise their work. Include numbers of opportunities to revise, and to receive further feedback on revisions. Include length or depth of feedback, and multiple formats for feedback.]
4. In the course, students receive direct instruction ("direct instruction" refers to codified discrete content presented formally to all students) in improving their writing and communicating. [Explain how and to what length students receive direct instruction and/or resources in writing and speaking, particularly for their discipline. Include the ways students are taught how to develop, organize and elaborate ideas and positions, as well as how they are taught to use the syntax, grammar and mechanics of American English in written and oral work.]
5. In this course, students receive a final grade that is based, in large part, on their ability to communicate in writing or orally. [Identify the portion of the final grade reflecting the student's ability to communicate/write, and how the ability is evaluated.]
6. In this course, students are taught to adapt their speaking and writing depending on their audience, including those who are familiar and unfamiliar with their discipline. [Describe how students adapt their written or spoken work for different purposes and audiences.]
7. The course requires students to use technology to improve their writing and speaking. [Describe when and how students use multi-media and/or technical resources to prepare and enhance written work and oral presentations.]