Writing Across the Curriculum

 

CPCS takes a holistic approach to writing, which means that we don't offer "Freshman Comp." or other writing classes that stand apart from the rest of the curriculum. We view writing as an essential skill, one that is interwoven with the content of every competency we teach. We don't give many tests or exams in CPCS; instead, students are often asked to choose topics they care about and write papers that apply what they have learned in a given competency to those topics. Since writing is the primary way in which students demonstrate learning, we encourage all instructors to give students feedback not only on the content of their assignments, but also on the writing.

 

As students progress through the curriculum, they have multiple opportunities to develop their proficiency in writing for different audiences and different purposes. The starting point in the process of writing skills development is the Critical Learning Seminar, which all CPCS students take during their first semester. Students in this seminar receive direct instruction in academic writing. If students need additional academic support, they may work with the Peer Advisor/Tutor who is assigned to their class, or take a writing workshop that is designed for first-semester students. To provide ongoing writing skills development, there are several different types of writing workshops which are offered each semester. All of our writing workshops are designed to support the writing that students are doing in their classes. We also employ advanced-level students as Peer Advisor/Tutors who offer one-on-one writing support in a lab setting at various hours of the day and evening. Workshops and Tutoring are free of charge to our students.

To demonstrate competency in writing, students are asked to compile a portfolio of their best writing products. The Writing Portfolio is each student's opportunity to demonstrate his or her communications skills across a variety of genres, including academic papers as well as professional writing (such as grant proposals, case studies, or legal briefs), creative writing, journalistic writing, and oral presentations. No matter what students' writing capabilities are when they enter CPCS, our goal is that they graduate with the skills and confidence they need to be competent writers in professional or academic settings.