The following statement represents the current writing requirements as outlined in the St. Norbert College course catalog. These requirements are adapted from the previous General Education program, and will be subject to reorganization in the following years to better advance the current Core Curriculum requirements.
Core curriculum courses at the 100 and 200 levels
All Core Curriculum courses at the 100 or 200 level will have a writing dimension, which includes writing-to-learn exercises, essay exams and a formal out-of-class writing assignment. These writing requirements must be described in the course syllabus.
Writing-to-learn exercises
Courses will promote the concept of writing-to-learn and focus on the writing process as a means to understanding course content. Possible writing-to-learn exercises include:
Essay exams
Every exam will have at least one essay question that requires students to write a paragraph or more explaining concepts, making connections, synthesizing material, arguing a thesis, etc. Though instructors are urged to incorporate an essay component on every exam, they may modify this component to meet particular exam needs.
Formal out-of-class writing assignment
Every course will require students to write a minimum of two typed pages of formal writing that demonstrates their general writing ability: thesis development, organization, paragraphing, grammar, mechanics, etc. Instructors will guide students through the writing process, providing feedback as students work toward the finished product. Possible activities include collecting thesis statements, requiring formal or informal outlines, using peer review, requiring students to work with tutors in the Writing Center, providing feedback on drafts, conducting peer review workshops in class, conferencing with students about their writing, implementing a revision policy for essays. Possible writing assignments include:
Students will be expected to use the college writing guide – currently The Wadsworth Handbook (latest edition) – as the writing guide for 100 and 200 level courses in the Core.
All WI courses will require students to compose a minimum of 3,000 words of polished writing for the semester. Instructors will provide systematic attention to the writing process by guiding students through the various stages of that process. Suggestions for integrating the writing process into courses include: requiring students to submit thesis statements, outlines, and other planning documents for review; providing written feedback on student drafts; and conducting peer review in the classroom.
In addition, students will be guided in their writing by the following:
Students will be expected to use the college writing guide – currently The Wadsworth Handbook (latest edition) – as the writing guide for the college, and they will be urged to use The Writing Center.
All C-AD courses will require students to compose a minimum of 2,000 words of polished writing for the semester. These requirements must be described in the course syllabus. Instructors will provide guidance throughout the course by following these guidelines:
Students will be expected to use the college writing guide – currently The Wadsworth Handbook (latest edition) – as the writing guide for the C-AD courses, particularly the sections “Writing with Sources” and “Writing in the Disciplines.”
Though the Core Curriculum is designed to guide students through the writing process, each major and interdisciplinary major will address writing in that particular field of study, thus reinforcing the writing instruction given in the lower and upper biennium courses, and tailoring the writing instruction to majors.
Since writing is an essential skill in every academic field, and since each field has its own specific writing and researching conventions, it is vital that students be taught discipline-specific writing skills by experts in the field. Such a writing emphasis may be accomplished by a specific course or by a series of courses addressing writing within the major. Such a course (or courses) will do the following:
The discipline should meet as a group and determine the criteria for courses that address the writing needs of discipline majors. Disciplines are encouraged to consult the Writing Program Director as they design their writing-emphasis course(s).