Writing Across the Curriculum, or WAC, refers to the widespread belief by educators that writing should be an integral aspect of the learning process throughout a student’s entire education. At Berry College, this means that students will “write to learn” in a variety of contexts and that they will also “learn to write” in specific disciplines related to their majors. Writing-Intensive courses—meaning those that satisfy the college’s WAC requirements for graduation (see below)—are reviewed and approved by the college WAC Committee. New faculty teaching WI-designated courses receive training through the WAC committee as well. The Committee also oversees the annual WAC Award for an undergraduate student and a faculty member.
Charge to the Committee
The WAC program is overseen by a college committee with representatives from all four schools, as well as two Faculty Assembly representatives, a Student Government representative, and the provost and the Writing Center director as ex officio members. The WAC committee reports to the provost. The committee has a chair (or sometimes two co-chairs) who lead(s) WAC efforts. The committee’s primary charge is as follows:
- The Writing Across the Curriculum Committee recommends Academic Council specific courses for designation as “WI” (Writing Intensive), facilitates teaching faculty how to create and manage writing-intensive courses, and annually selects the WAC Award recipient at Honors Night.
- A department that wishes to add the WI designation to a course submits an application, proposed syllabus (with peer and/or instructor review processes), sample writing prompts, and a sample assignment with an evaluation rubric. Committee members, usually in the form of a subcommittee, then evaluate the application to ensure it embraces WAC goals and requirements. WI designation is added after approval by the WAC committee, department chair, school dean, and Academic Council. Course approval is good for five years, at which point the department must apply for WI renewal, which the WAC committee also reviews.
Graduation Requirement
Students must complete a minimum of two writing-intensive (I) courses totaling six semester hours at the 300 level or above (or, in some approved instances, at the 200 level or above). Ordinarily, these courses are to be completed within the major. Students pursuing 2 or more majors must complete a third writing intensive (I) class.