Guide to the George Mason University Writing Across the Curriculum program records, 1980-2014

George Mason University Writing Across the Curriculum program R0500

Historical Information

The George Mason University Writing Across the Curriculum program's function is to incorporate and improve written communication in all academic departments at the University. The program officially began in 1990, although according to former WAC Assistant Director Sarah Baker, WAC workshops had been taking place at Mason since 1978. The WAC program sets standards for classes designated as Writing Intensive in all academic disciplines - WI classes must require at least 3500 words of writing and provide opportunities for students to revise and improve their written work. WAC has also maintained Peer Tutoring and Writing Fellows programs, providing talented students with opportunities to teach their skills to others. Writing fellows are assigned to specific classes and give feedback on written assignments, while peer tutors assist students through the university's Writing Center, which collaborates with but is no longer directly part of WAC. WAC also supports departmental awards for excellent undergraduate writing, as well as producing a newsletter and collaborating with the George Mason Review, an undergraduate academic journal.

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Scope and Content

This collection consists of records created as part of George Mason University's Writing Across the Curriculum program. It includes documents produced as a result of the administration of the program, such as surveys of students and faculty members, correspondence, notes, statistics, meeting summaries, reports, and information related to student writing awards, as well as material produced by academic departments and faculty, such as criteria for assessing writing within different academic departments and syllabi from writing-intensive courses. Also included are records related to Writing Fellows and Peer Tutors associated with specific classes and with the university's Writing Center, as well as planning notes from and copies of the WAC program's Newsletter and the George Mason Review. The records date from 1980-2014, with the bulk of materials dating from 1990-2013.

Series 1: Administrative Records contains statistical information, surveys, summaries, reports, correspondence, and general information related to the implementation and regular operations of the Writing Across the Curriculum program.

Series 2: Writing Assessment contains meeting minutes, correspondence, notes, and lists from the Writing Assessment Group, as well as rubrics, sample essays, reports, and records of workshops for various academic departments.

Series 3: Syllabi under review contains syllabi from classes to be designated as writing-intensive organized by academic department.

Series 4: Peer Tutors/Writing Fellows contains Peer Tutoring course information, as well as employment information and files on individual Writing Fellows and Peer Tutors, including faculty recommendations and student evaluations of Writing Fellows.

Series 5: Writing Awards contains budget lists, correspondence, and photocopies of certificates for student departmental writing awards.

Series 6: Writing Intensive Courses includes criteria, reports, proposals, and correspondence related to the designation of courses as writing intensive.

Series 7: Newsletters/George Mason Review contains planning materials and copies of WAC newsletters and the George Mason Review.

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Arrangement

This collection is arranged into seven series.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from the George Mason University Writing Across the Curriculum program records must be obtained from Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

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Index Terms

Corporate Names:

Subjects:

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

George Mason University Writing Across the Curriculum program records, #R0144, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Acquisition Information

Donated by the GMU Writing Across the Curriculum program in 2014.

Processing Information

Processing completed by Tyler Chadwell and Elizabeth Beckman in Fall 2014. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in December 2014.

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Bibliography

Sarah Baker, "GMU WAC Program: Comprehensive Review and Assessment of Program Responsibilities, Initiatives, and Outreach," GMU WAC Program, November 2011.

George Mason University Writing Across the Curriculum Program, 'Writing Across the Curriculum,' George Mason University, 2014.

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Contents List