Student Learning Objectives

The University Writing Program is an independent academic unit in the Division of Humanities, Arts, and Cultural Studies. We offer courses in rhetoric and writing studies (for example, in rhetorical theory, journalism, and technical communication) as part of our Minor in Professional Writing. We also offer instruction in writing to students in all four colleges, including core courses in composition, Writing In the Disciplines, and Writing in the Professions.

The University Writing Program has defined broad student learning objectives for the program as a whole, along with course-specific goals and outcomes and, for the professional writing minor, learning objectives that develop through several courses and over time.

Objectives for Lower Division Courses

Students will:

  • learn to read closely and critically and to analyze the purpose, audience, format, and conventions in varied types of writing.
  • experiment with and reflect on writing processes, including techniques for researching, planning, brainstorming, drafting, revising and editing.
  • improve their ability to work collaboratively in peer workshops, group work, and group projects.
  • learn to name, describe, analyze and apply basic concepts and principles in varied areas of writing in the disciplines and professions.
  • learn to integrate ideas, data,  and evidence  from written and oral sources into writing projects.
  • understand how writing and citing conventions vary in different disciplines and professions.

Course-specific goals and student learning outcomes for UWP lower division classes are described on a course-by-course basis

Objectives for Upper Division Courses

Students will:

  • learn to read more difficult texts closely and critically and to use them as models for writing projects.
  • improve their ability to manage the writing process to suit the task and situation, including more advanced skills in planning, drafting, revising and editing.
  • improve their ability to frame and analyze a  topic or problem,  do independent research, evaluate sources, and interpret and integrate information and ideas appropriately from oral and written sources.
  • learn to conduct research in writing studies and professional writing.
  • produce varied types of writing, including essays, reports, proposals, arguments, and technical documents.

Course-specific goals and student learning outcomes for UWP upper division classes are described on a course-by-course basis

Objectives for Professional Writing Minors

Professional Writing students will:

  • Manage the writing process to suit the task and situation
  • Control style, tone, and structure
  • Apply varied rhetorical strategies
  • Evaluate and integrate external texts
  • Write and edit collaboratively
  • Use writing technologies appropriately