2008 Woodie Awards
WACT soon might center on specific subjects
Meyer, Kathleen
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: News
Truman's incoming students might have more options when registering for the required Writing as Critical Thinking classes starting next fall semester.
Students might have the option to choose a WACT course with a specific topic, as well as the option of taking the general WACT course. A few sections of the WACT courses could focus on such topics as pop culture, environmentalism, music, rural America and election issues, according to the document presented by Student Senate Academic Affairs.
Sophomore David Hayes, a member of Senate, formulated the idea for the new WACT classes.
"We hope to improve curriculum for first-year students," Hayes said. "It can happen without changing the course objectives."
Hayes' proposed making WACT classes more interesting and introducing interdisciplinary learning at an early stage of the college experience. Hayes also wanted to get students excited about taking the course.
Sophomore Lizz Esfeld, Student Senate Academic Affairs chair, worked with Hayes. Esfeld said she wanted to make new students' first year at the University more beneficial.
"We were trying to come up with ways to tweak that course to make it a more fruitful experience for students," Esfeld said.
In the proposal by Academic Affairs, the new sections of WACT each would be centered on a chosen topic. Students still would complete the writing assignments and other requirements of the WACT classes. Other than a narrower focus, the class itself would not change.
Priscilla Riggle, department chair of English and linguistics, said all present requirements of WACT would stay the same.
"It's the same course, the same course outcomes," she said. "That's really important."
Writing as Critical Thinking, or English 190, "requires students to read, think, and write carefully and critically, using instructor and peer response as well as self-assessment for revision," according to the 2007-08 General/Graduate Catalogue.
Students might have the option to choose a WACT course with a specific topic, as well as the option of taking the general WACT course. A few sections of the WACT courses could focus on such topics as pop culture, environmentalism, music, rural America and election issues, according to the document presented by Student Senate Academic Affairs.
Sophomore David Hayes, a member of Senate, formulated the idea for the new WACT classes.
"We hope to improve curriculum for first-year students," Hayes said. "It can happen without changing the course objectives."
Hayes' proposed making WACT classes more interesting and introducing interdisciplinary learning at an early stage of the college experience. Hayes also wanted to get students excited about taking the course.
Sophomore Lizz Esfeld, Student Senate Academic Affairs chair, worked with Hayes. Esfeld said she wanted to make new students' first year at the University more beneficial.
"We were trying to come up with ways to tweak that course to make it a more fruitful experience for students," Esfeld said.
In the proposal by Academic Affairs, the new sections of WACT each would be centered on a chosen topic. Students still would complete the writing assignments and other requirements of the WACT classes. Other than a narrower focus, the class itself would not change.
Priscilla Riggle, department chair of English and linguistics, said all present requirements of WACT would stay the same.
"It's the same course, the same course outcomes," she said. "That's really important."
Writing as Critical Thinking, or English 190, "requires students to read, think, and write carefully and critically, using instructor and peer response as well as self-assessment for revision," according to the 2007-08 General/Graduate Catalogue.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Michael
posted 2/25/08 @ 7:42 PM CST
Good Job Kathleen. Keep up the good work.
Morgan
posted 3/06/08 @ 11:27 AM CST
If we're going to make such drastic changes to the WACT classes ... what's the point of JINS? They will essentially be the same class, at different levels. (Continued…)
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