WAC Program

Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Program

Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) is an interdepartmental program.  Research has shown that student writing in the disciplines, including mathematics and physics, fosters better thinking and active learning.  Because writing and learning are intrinsically linked, the WAC program aims to expand the role of writing in courses in all disciplines on campus.

• Experiential Learning:  Engage students in writing that stimulates learning about their field of study.
• Interdisciplinary Dialogue:  Empower students to navigate between disciplines as they develop skills related to professional writing in their field of study.
• Professional Development:  Prepare students to communicate effectively using the conventions of their field of study.

The WAC Program supports instructors in developing instructional materials that connect the subject matter of a discipline with communication-based projects that have real-world applications.  Grounded in Writing to Learn pedagogy that engages students in higher order thinking, the WAC Program assists instructors in designing courses that teach students to write effectively in a discipline or subfield.

Writing-intensive courses in the disciplines are the core of the WAC program at Howard University. They are designed to show students that writing is essential to success in whatever field of study or career they pursue. In the College of Arts & Sciences, these courses fulfill the Third Writing requirement (following the First Year Writing Sequence).  In the Directory of Classes and on transcripts, writing-intensive courses in the disciplines are designated by a 700-level number and a -WRTG suffix.

The WAC Program offers faculty consultations.  Schedule a consult to talk about course design or program development within your department.  During your consultation, you can explore ways to expand your curriculum to incorporate writing-based, experiential learning opportunities for your majors.  For more information or to discuss the needs of your department, email the Director of the Writing Across the Curriculum Program.

The WAC Program hosts an interdisciplinary WAC Seminar.  Theory and practice indicate that faculty workshops contribute to the success of writing-intensive courses.  The WAC Seminar is a hands-on, collaborative venture -- an occasion for colleagues to help each other develop content for writing-intensive courses. The seminar provides a collaborative space for faculty to exchange ideas and practices that transfer across fields.  During the seminar, faculty investigate Writing to Learn methods, which focus on cultivating the metacognitive processes that students need in order to take their critical thinking skills to the next level.  Additionally, participants explore ways in which students can write to learn the subject matter of a discipline.  Finally, the seminar offers scaffolded opportunities to think deeply about assessment practices.

The WAC Program certifies faculty members to teach the Third Writing requirement for COAS.  WAC-certified faculty in the College of Arts & Sciences may teach courses that fulfill the Third Writing requirement.  Certification requires the successful completion of the WAC Seminar and the development of a course syllabus that meets the requirements for Third Writing courses.  Only Certified WAC Instructors may teach the 700-level courses that fulfill the third writing requirement.