Writing in the Major: the M-Course
The AUWC reports through the Office of the Provost and is tasked with an array of responsibilities including the continuous M-Course Review and the development of policy recommendations concerning writing at WSU.
Committee Functions:
- Formulates policy recommendations concerning university-wide writing programs for submission to the Faculty Senate.
- Acts as the central policy committee for the university-wide writing program.
- Determines general criteria and procedures for submission and approval of writing in the major courses. Receives requests for writing in the major courses and submits them for final approval to the Faculty Senate through the Catalog Subcommittee of the Academic Affairs Committee.
- Provides guidance and approves procedures used in university-wide writing assessments.
- Regularly monitors all elements of the all-university writing program.
- Discusses and proposes ways in which the assigning of writing and the assessment of writing can complement UCORE goals and assessments*
- Discusses and proposes ways in which faculty development can happen to compliment UCORE goals and assessments (or any/all goals and assessments related to faculty who value using writing in their courses).
The M-Course Form details the course requirements for Writing in the Major [M] status. It will need to be filled out completely and submitted in order for your course to be considered for [M] status.
Course proposals seeking an M-Course designation go first to the Catalog Subcommittee. The Catalog Subcommittee will dispatch course proposals to the correct reviewer for M-Course approval. You can access a form for submitting your M-Course on the curriculum change website.
An M-Course can be two or three credits. Two-credit courses must have at least 60% of the course grade based on writing assignments, and three-credit courses must have at least 30% of the course grade based on writing assignments.
Yes; because M-Courses are designed around writing in the major, and major-specific writing begins at the 300 level, M-Courses must be 300 level or above.
Yes! The Writing Program offers resources, individualized support, one-time and ongoing workshops, and even a semester-long professional development fellowship for faculty. Contact us for more information.