top floor windows and details around the roof of the Brantly building

Faculty Senate

Writing Course Resources 

Whether you're developing a new writing-intensive course or refining an existing one, this site provides essential guidance for instructors teaching Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) and Writing in the Disciplines (WID) courses at the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥. Here you'll find information on course requirements, approval and renewal processes, grading criteria, and assignment design. You'll also discover tools to help you integrate writing into any course, regardless of size or disciplines–including sample forms, guidelines, and opportunities for one-on-one support. The goal is to make teaching with writing more effective, manageable, and rewarding. 

 

Information for Instructors of Writing Across the Curriculum Courses

  • What writing courses must a student take in order to graduate?

  • What percent of a Writing Across the Curriculum Course grade must be from writing assignments? 

  • Is there a limit to the number of Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ we can allow to enroll in a Writing Across the Curriculum  Course? 

  • Where can I get face-to-face help designing a writing course or assignment?

    • Schedule a consultation with a Writing Center representative to discuss ideas for designing informal and formal writing assignments that meet the needs of your course. 

    • This includes

      • tips for using writing in large classes

      • ideas for using writing activities that are easy to grade

      • Tips for how to use writing as a tool for learning in any class

 

Information Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ the Writing in the Disciplines Requirement

**NOTE:  Writing in the Disciplines Courses focus on the student's major area of study and are developed based on the conventions for research, analysis, and writing in the specific discipline.

  • What writing courses must a student take in order to graduate?

    • This information can be found in 2 locations:

  • What are the writing-related requirements for a Writing in the Disciplines Course?

    • Please refer to the  for the requirements for a Writing in the Disciplines Course (section B).

  • Do Writing in the Disciplines Course requirements have to be fulfilled by a formal course?

    • The Writing in the Disciplines Course requirements do not have to be fulfilled by a formal course, but the learning outcomes must still be met.  Please refer to the  (Section B.3. Requirements for Writing in the Disciplines Course expectations not fulfilled by a Course).

  • What percent of the grade in a Writing in the Disciplines Course has to be from writing assignments?

    • A significant portion (at least 50% of a 3-credit course or equivalent hours) of the course grade must be based on student performance on .

  • What is a formal writing assignment?

    • Description of formal writing assignments (FAQ #3) can be found on the .

  • What is an informal writing assignment?  How are informal writing assignments evaluated?

    • Description of informal writing assignments (FAQ #4) can be found on the .

  • What is the page requirement for a Writing in the Disciplines Course?  Does the requirement mean that a 20-page paper should be assigned?

    • For a Writing in the Disciplines Course, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ must individually compose at least 20 pages of writing for assessment over the course of the semester.  This does not mean that the course must include a 20-page paper.  Please refer to the  (FAQ #5 & #6) for more information.

  • Can group assignments be used to meet the writing assignment requirement?

    • Please refer to the  (FAQ #7) to determine if group assignments can be used to meet the Writing in the Disciplines Course requirements.

  • Is there a limit to the number of Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ that can enroll in a Writing in the Disciplines Course?

    • Enrollment in a Writing in the Disciplines Courses should be limited to 25 Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ per instructor or grader.  Please refer to the  (FAQ #8) for more information on the enrollment limit.

  • Does the Writing in the Disciplines Course requirement have to be met with a single course?  Can multiple courses be used to fulfill the Writing in the Disciplines Course requirement for a department?

    • Multiple courses can be used to fulfill the Writing in the Disciplines Course requirement for a department.  If multiple courses are used to fulfill the Writing in the Disciplines Course requirement, the learning outcomes must be met by the courses, enrollment must still be limited as noted above, and the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ must still individually compose at least 20 pages of writing for assessment across the multiple courses.  Please refer to the  for more information.

  • Can one course be used by a student to satisfy both the Writing Across the Curriculum  Course requirement AND the Writing in the Disciplines Course requirement?

    • No.  The Writing Across the Curriculum Course and the Writing in the Disciplines Course requirements cannot be satisfied with the same course.  Please refer to the  (FAQ #10) for more information.

  • What is information literacy?

    • Information literacy is the set of skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze, and use information (American Library Association).  For details on information literacy, including a framework and rubric for information literacy at The Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, please refer to the Mansfield Library's  page.

  • Where can I get face-to-face help designing a writing course or assignment?

    • Schedule a consultation with a Writing Center representative to discuss ideas for designing informal and formal writing assignments that meet the needs of your course. 

    • This includes

      • tips for using writing in large classes

      • ideas for using writing activities that are easy to grade

      • Tips for how to use writing as a tool for learning in any class

 

Information on Course Renewal

 

Information on Resources Available for Designing Writing Activities

  • Where can I get face-to-face help?

    • Schedule a consultation with a Writing Center representative to discuss ideas for designing informal and formal writing assignments that meet the needs of your course. Contact: shareen.grogan@umontana.edu 

    • This includes

      • tips for using writing in large classes

      • ideas for using writing activities that are easy to grade

      • Tips for how to use writing as a tool for learning in any class