Writing Intensive Course Policy
- Policy Number: KC‐ACA‐3154
- Date Issued: Prior to 2010
- Last Modified: Feb 5, 2024
- Effective Date: Prior to 2010
- Approved By: Provost
- Sponsor(s): Provost
- Responsible Office(s): Registrar's Office
Policy Statement
Writing intensive courses at UMKC are undergraduate courses of at least 3 credit hours, at the junior or senior level, generally designated by WI or WL following the course number. Students must complete the RooWriter Writing Assessment before being allowed to register for writing intensive classes. For more information about the RooWriter, go to the RooWriter website.
At the end of a writing intensive course at UMKC, students should be able to
- write in genres, participate in activities and perform assignments that are appropriate to the respective discipline,
- demonstrate their ability through writing to read closely and analyze critically the texts of their disciplines,
- produce writing through the recursive process of brainstorming, research, drafting, peer review and revising,
- articulate and support a coherent thesis or purpose in their writing and develop it according to the conventions of a given discipline or audience,
- use research methods and documentation that meet the standards of the discipline and
- articulate and discuss their work with peers or the instructor.
For example, to achieve these goals, writing intensive course design emphasizes and teaches writing as a recursive process. Some class time is devoted to helping students complete writing assignments. Writing assignments are distributed throughout the semester, and differ in length and purpose. The course requires 5,000‐10,000 words (approximately 20‐40 double‐spaced pages) of revised, final-draft quality writing and writing assignments account for at least 40% of the course grade. Complete guidelines and mandatory requirements for the design of and best practices for teaching a writing intensive course at UMKC appear on the University Writing and Reading Board (UWRB) website, or can be obtained by contacting the UWRB at uwrb@umkc.edu.
Reason for Policy
This policy was developed to support student academic success and to provide consistent, quality delivery of academic programs and services.Who Should Read this Policy?
All faculty, academic advisors, Registrar’s Office personnel and all students.Instructions, Procedures and Related Information
Registrar’s Office, University Writing and Reading Board (UWRB).Contacts
UMKC Registrar’s Office
Physical location:
115 Administrative Center
5115 Oak Street
Kansas City, MO 64110
Mailing address:
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110‐2499
Phone: 816‐235‐1125
Fax: 816‐235‐5513
Email: registrar@umkc.edu