Ready to Find Your New Favorite Class? Meet the UWP’s Newest Courses!

The Purpose of These New Classes   

The landscape of professional writing is constantly changing, but the University Writing Program (UWP) faculty and staff are dedicated to helping their students face these modern challenges. They have been working on exciting new courses for the UWP and the Professional Writing minor (PWM). These courses were created to fit students’ interests and teach transferable skills for their future careers. From writing ethically with AI tools to writing powerful reports, these new classes are sure to have something students will enjoy.  The full list of new classes was announced on our Instagram @ucd_profwritminor, and in this article we’ll be going in depth on a few courses available in winter quarter and spring quarter. 

UWP 016 - Writing with Artificial Intelligence   

AI Tools, especially Large Language Models, are a critical topic in the field of writing because they are changing how people create. Rather than avoiding AI tools, UWP 016 is a class about how to use them ethically and where they could fit in the writing process. The course will introduce different AI tools and ways to prompt, edit, and refine AI-generated content. In the workplace, students may have to use AI for certain projects or come across AI-generated content. By understanding how these tools work, students will know how to handle these situations. For instance, they could develop strategies to keep their authentic voice in projects that require AI and ways to fact-check AI-generated content. Furthermore, students will get experience using AI by doing hands-on writing and research projects. Using AI in this way will help students see where it is and is not effective. 

Key Skills Students Will Learn

• AI Literacy
• Editing AI Content
• Strategies for Effective Writing 

Course Requirements and Important Information

To take this course, students must complete the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) first. Additionally, this course does not fulfill part of the Professional Writing minor requirements, but is rather a great UWP class where students can learn about AI and develop their writing skills. Finally, this course will be offered in Winter Quarter and Spring Quarter, so be sure to add it to your class schedule. 

UWP 110A - Specialized Genres in Professional Writing 

Think of this class as practice to help you get closer to your professional goals. The term “specialized genres” means students will create types of deliverables for different circumstances in their careers. Rather than learning just basic formatting of professional writing, UWP 110A helps students get ahead by helping them know what to expect. For example, a social media script and business plan have different audiences and stakeholder needs. Furthermore, there are many different types of deliverables such as blog posts, instruction manuals, and even case studies. Practicing writing in various professional contexts is a valuable skill that leads to stronger and more polished pieces. Students can also use what they created in this class to develop their portfolio and have unique talking points in job interviews.

Key Skills Students Will Learn

• Researching rhetorical situations 
• Analyzing audiences for professional context
• Knowledge of types of deliverables 

Course Requirements and Important Information

To take this course, students must complete UWP 001 or UWP 001V or UWP 001Y; or the equivalent first. This course fulfills part of the Group B requirements for the Professional Writing minor. Finally, this course will be offered in Winter Quarter and Spring Quarter, so be sure to add it to your class schedule. 

UWP 110B - Report Writing 

Picture this: it's your first month into your new job, and your manager has asked you to write a report about your progress at the company. This is your chance to impress your manager and write something you're proud of. Students may encounter a scenario like this one in their careers, and it is important that they can write strong reports. Reports are a key aspect in almost every field and transform raw data and information into meaningful insights and actionable recommendations. In this class, students will learn the creative process for reports and practice writing their own reports. They also learn report writing conventions and how these important documents impact the decision-making process. With this knowledge, students will excel in report writing and have the confidence to translate their ideas into results. 

Key Skills Students Will Learn

• Translating data into reports 
• Editing documents for clarity and concision 
• Effective communication  

Course Requirements and Important Information

To take this course, students must complete UWP 001 or UWP 001V or UWP 001Y; or the equivalent first. This course fulfills part of the Group B requirements for the Professional Writing minor. Finally, this course will be offered in Winter Quarter and Spring Quarter, so be sure to add it to your class schedule. 

What to Expect from These Classes and the Other New Classes 

No matter what a student’s career aspirations are, the newest UWP courses offer impactful skills for every field. One of these classes may become your next favorite class at UC Davis, so be sure to check them out and add them to your schedule soon. Remember to check out our Instagram @ucd_profwritminor for the full list of all eight classes and for more updates on the Professional Writing Minor. The UWP also offers a lot of other amazing courses, so take a look at the UWP Course Catalogue and PWM Course Requirements! 

BIO

Shayna Schreiber is a fourth-year undergraduate, majoring in communication and minoring in professional writing. She is a Communications Specialist Intern for the Professional Writing minor, helping students learn about writing-based internships through social media and articles she has written. In her free time, she enjoys playing the electric guitar and embroidery. To see her other work, visit her LinkedIn profile.