All first-year students take a University Writing Seminar, which is offered in conjunction with a University Seminar in Humanistic Inquiries. The purpose of the University Writing Seminar is to introduce students to the conventions of college-level writing and to continue the development of their writing skills.
Special emphasis is placed on forms of argumentation.
Other areas of attention include critical reading, essay structure, revision, research skills, proper documentation, and the resources of the University Libraries. University Writing Seminars will share some subject matter and written assignments with their linked University Seminars. Writing Intensive courses are upper-level courses that are offered in departments throughout the University. Normally taken in a student's second or third year, these courses are based in a specific academic discipline and require frequent or regular attention to writing and instruction in the skills of academic writing. The list of courses that satisfy the Writing Intensive requirement changes each year.