College of the Pacific

Writing in the Disciplines Initiative

Recognizing the need for stronger writing instruction to better prepare students for the workforce and for graduate study, the University of the Pacific implemented the Writing in the Disciplines Initiative in the fall of 2006.

The goal of Writing in the Disciplines is to improve the writing skills of every graduate of the University through enhanced writing-intensive courses and teaching methods.

Writing in the Disciplines at Pacific is based on four central principles:

1. Writing is a both central form and clear measure of critical inquiry. Lucid, incisive writing can only result from clear, sharp thinking.
2. Writing is a building process that involves drafts, solicitation and incorporation of feedback, revision, further feedback, reflection, and further revision.
3. Good writing has a clear purpose and is discipline-, audience-, and context-specific.
4. Improvement of writing is a life-long process.

Writing-Intensive Curriculum

Pacific's writing-intensive curriculum is comprised of three stages. During the freshman year, Pacific Seminars I and II serve as the first stage. Courses in each department designated as "writing-intensive" comprise the second and third stages during the sophomore through senior year.

New Student Writing Center!

In fall 2009, the Writing in the Disciplines Program opened a new Student Writing Center on the second floor of the University Library, adjacent to the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning. Funded by a Pacific Innovation Grant, this newly remodeled space offers much more comfort, utility, and flexibility for students assigned to the 15 Writing in the Disciplines Writing Mentors and the Educational Resource Center's 7 Writing Tutors.

Writing Mentors work with students throughout the semester in selected writing-intensive courses. The Student Writing Center is open during all posted library hours, and the Writing Mentors will arrange specific times to meet with students from the courses they support.

To make an appointment with an Educational Resource Center (ERC) Writing Tutor, please see DiamChau Nguyen at the ERC in Bannister Hall.

Writing in the Disciplines Activities

Some of the activities supported by the Writing in the Disciplines Program include:

• Training and hiring student Writing Mentors to serve as supplemental instructors in writing-intensive courses.
• Promoting faculty development in writing instruction through workshops and consultations with outside experts.
• Co-sponsoring lectures and workshops for students and faculty by nationally known writing experts in a wide range of disciplines. Examples of recent guest speakers include:
  
  
  • David Dobbs, science journalist for Slate, Scientific American Mind, and the New York Times Magazine
  • Award-winning poet Li-Young Lee
  • Kate Moses, a Pacific alumna who is co-editor of Salon's "Mothers Who Think" column and author of Wintering: A Novel of Sylvia Plath
  • Chris Thaiss, Director of University Writing at U.C. Davis and author of Engaged Writers and Dynamic Disciplines

For More Information

Contact Dr. Cynthia Dobbs, College of the Pacific Assistant Dean and Associate Professor of English, to learn more about the Writing in the Disciplines Initiative.

Office: WPC 117
Phone: 209.946.2142
Email