What is a "Writing Intensive" (or WI) course?

MC Learning Outcomes for WI courses:

As a result of their work in a WI course, students will be able to

1. craft well-developed analyses with clear thesis and supporting evidence.
2. focus writing clearly around a main idea, paragraphs clearly around topic sentences that relate to the central claim. 
   
3. demonstrate proficiency in writing conventions, including appropriate manuscript style and standard grammar and mechanics.

In order to meet the above learning outcomes, a WI instructor will employ his or her own measures, with the following best practices as a guide:

1. include both writing-to-learn (informal, ungraded) and low-stakes (informal, with minor grade) writing assignments;
2. assign one major (formal, graded) writing assignment, done according to the conventions of the discipline;
3. include the formal assignment as a substantial portion of the course grade; and
4. provide guided revision of at least the formal writing assignment (though other guided revision is encouraged).

How are WI courses assessed?

Faculty teaching WI courses should choose a small number of papers to assess with a RPA rubric.  (The Gen Ed chair will contact you with the number of papers to assess.)  Simply take those papers and use the WI rubric online to enter your scores.  The tally and analysis will be done by Gen Ed and RPA.

What courses are already designated "WI"?

For students who fall under the General Education requirements from Fall 2003-Spring 2009, click HERE to see the list.

For students who fall under the General Education requirements from Fall 2009 and beyond, click HERE to see the list.

How do I get a course designated as "WI"?

If you feel that a course already qualifies for a WI thread or if you would like to develop a course with a WI thread, the process for approval is relatively painless.  First, you should visit the Gen Ed faculty page (http://www.meredith.edu/academics/gened/faculty09.htm) to find the official forms.  (From the "Faculty, Advisor, and Staff Information" page, scroll down to the fourth bullet under "Guidelines and Application Documents.")   You will fill out a cover sheet and tracking form and obtain the appropriate signatures.  (The cover sheet *must* be submitted in hard copy.)  Then, you will fill out an application, taking care to address each of the learning outcomes.  Finally, you will submit your application and accompanying materials electronically to the General Education Office.

Your application materials will be sent to the College Writing Committee which will review your materials for evidence to suggest that your course addresses the student learning outcomes through best practices (listed above).  If your application falls short in some way, the College Writing Committee will contact you to revise your materials.  Once your application has been approved by the College Writing Committee, it will be returned to the General Education Committee for final approval.

How can I get help for my WI course?

The College Writing Committee maintains a web site with materials for instructors.  Please feel free to visit the site, "CT thru Writing:  Support" for your WI course, or, indeed, any course in which you use writing as learning, practice, or assessment.