Overview
Broadly defined, Writing Across the Curriculum, or WAC, is the American outgrowth of a higher education reform effort originating in Britain in the 1970's. WAC is guided by the conviction that strong connections exist between writing, thinking, and learning. As John C. Bean writes in Engaging Ideas, in this view "writing is both a process of doing critical thinking and a product communicating the results of critical thinking" (3). In practice, WAC emphasizes the use of writing-to-learn techniques, through assignments designed to help students develop, concomitantly, the interrelated skills of thinking and writing. A WAC-based curriculum in any discipline will therefore be concerned not just with how much writing students are doing, but with what kind of writing they are doing.
What is the role of WAC at Hunter College?
In 1999, the CUNY Board of Trustees mandated a university-wide initiative to implement WAC at the colleges. The mandate encourages the colleges to develop their own strategies for implementing WAC, such as Writing Intensive courses.
At Hunter, WAC is administered through the Writing Across the Curriculum Program and includes the WAC Fellows program, consultation with experts in WAC pedagogy, and faculty development seminars and workshops, including Teaching Scholarship Circles offered in conjunction with ACERT, the college's faculty development center. The Significant Writing, or writing intensive, requirement at Hunter is served by designated "W" courses offered throughout the disciplines, in which writing with teacher feedback (not including exams) comprises at least fifty percent of the students' assessed classwork. Hunter students are required to take at least three "W" courses throughout their college career. Faculty teaching Significant Writing courses are informed of the services of the WAC Program, and they, as well as those faculty interested in developing WAC-based assignments for any of their classes, are encouraged to consult with the WAC Program at any time.
How can I incorporate WAC techniques in my classroom?
Consider how best to build writing into your course's curriculum, i.e., to design written assignments to maximize student engagement with the course material. Consider including different types of writing tasks that require students to approach the material from different perspectives, and reflect on your expectations for successful completion of writing assignments. WAC Program staff are available for consultation and assistance in designing assignments, developing assessments, and enhancing pedagogy. Faculty can request the services of a WAC Fellow to support student writing in their classes and provide consultation on effective WAC techniques.