MU program fosters hands-on approach for writing intensive courses

When college students register for classes each semester, many avoid taking writing intensive courses. This is becoming increasingly difficult, however, because many institutions require students to take at least one course of this nature. A program at the University of Missouri-Columbia is helping students fight their fear of writing while also helping them learn course content more efficiently.

MU's Campus Writing Program in the College of Arts and Science combines small classes and one-on-one learning with ideas and techniques led by scholars in the field to help students master important writing skills. It also is one of 11 institutions recently awarded the first Conference on College Composition and Communication's (CCCC's) Writing Program Certificate of Excellence.

"We were delighted to learn of Campus Writing Program's selection for this national award," said Martha Townsend, professor and director of the Campus Writing Program. "I think there are three main reasons we received it: MU faculty teach academically rigorous writing intensive courses; MU students, who are good to begin with, write excellent papers; and MU administrators support the writing intensive requirement in the two most meaningful ways: fiscally and philosophically."

The CCCC Writing Program Certificate of Excellence was awarded to MU based on certain guidelines used to evaluate each program. MU's Campus Writing Program successfully met all requirements and was cited for its exceptional program of writing intensive courses designed to help students learn to think and write for their chosen disciplines. Its Campus Writing Board, effective research and assessment components also were praised.

Organized in response to a call from faculty for improved undergraduate composition skills, the Campus Writing Program officially began in 1984 with a Campus Writing Board. Colleges across campus adopted a new writing requirement for all students by 1986. Today, more than 220 writing intensive courses are offered each semester. MU's writing requirement, English 20 followed by two writing intensive courses, is part of a 30-year-old trend in U.S. higher education known as "writing across the curriculum." Since 1987, every undergraduate degree granted by MU has been strengthened by this requirement.

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Additional links:

Campus Writing Program
Conference of College Composition and Communication

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