Core Curriculum and Writing in the Discipline

Good writing is more than just conveying information; it is a powerful way to formulate, clarify, and share good thinking.

Writing skills are essential to a quality liberal arts education, and at UP students take two writing embedded courses as part of the foundation level of the University Core, ENG 112 Thinking Through Literature and PHL 150 Introductory Philosophy. Building on this foundation, students then take two additional “Writing in the Disciplines” (WID) courses embedded with writing instruction appropriate to their major.

WID courses are primarily organized within major programs, while also being connected to the Core through the overall goal of developing effective written expression skills. WID 1 courses should come earlier in a major program and introduce students to the principles of effective writing in the relevant discipline. WID 2 courses should come later in a major program and consolidate writing in the discipline skills for effective communication.

Overall, building from foundation level courses in the University Core to WID courses in a major program allows students to develop broad writing skills essential for clear thinking and communicating, along with more specific writing skills essential for their professional futures.

By providing intentional opportunities to develop and grow their writing skills as they relate to a specific discipline, the goals of the WID program are to:

• Introduce students to effective writing skills expected in discipline-related professions.
• Prepare students to effectively express appropriate discipline-related content through writing.

The Writing in the Discipline courses are as follows:

College of Arts and Sciences

Pamplin School of Business

School of Education

Shiley School of Engineering

School of Nursing & Health Innovations