Proficiency in Writing
Students meet this requirement in two stages, the first of which is passing the first-stage Writing Proficiency evaluation in the Cultural Studies Program. Completion of the Cultural Studies courses does not by itself satisfy the writing requirement. There are three measures of proficiency: 1) fall semester professor evaluates the writing of each student using a rubric (1-6 scale with 4 or above considered proficient); 2) spring semester professor evaluates the writing of each student, using a rubric (1-6 scale with 4 or above considered proficient); 3) one additional measure of writing proficiency is required; most recently this measure has been participation in a shared intellectual experience with required reading that culminates in a timed writing exercise; professors evaluate each student's writing using the 1-6 score rubric. Frosh are expected to successfully score 4 or better on two of the three measures.
Those who do not pass the Cultural Studies Writing evaluations will be asked to pass with a C or better a course in the department of Writing & Rhetoric (201) or another writing course designated by the director of writing programs in conjunction with the director of the Core program. The second stage of the requirement will be met in the student’s major department. Each department at the College has specified its own writing requirement in the major; students should consult their department chair. For more information, see Writing Program in the “Special Programs” section of this catalog.