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Structure of the Junior Year Writing Program at UMass Amherst
The University Writing Committee is charged by the UMass Amherst Faculty Senate with overseeing the University’s dual writing requirement. Composed of faculty and students from across campus, as well as the Writing Program director, the Junior-Year Writing Coordinator, and representatives from the Provost’s Office and the Faculty Senate, the Writing Committee is responsible for approving all major changes in the curriculum for the junior-year course offerings in a given department. Further, the committee reviews both the First-Year Writing Program (Englwrit 111 and 112) and the Junior Year Writing Program every five years by examining the course offerings in each department. The next major review of the Junior Year program will take place in 2007-08.
The Provost’s office and University Writing Committee also provide financial and pedagogical support to departments and faculty teaching departmental-specific junior-year courses. The committee fields all questions related to the requirement and works collaboratively with departments to ensure compliance with the Junior-Year Writing requirement. The Junior-Year Writing Director and the Writing Program offer specialized workshops, conferences, and consultations on the teaching of writing to groups across the University. Through the University Writing Program, the Provost’s office provides funding for the junior-year course to each department as an additional supplement to aid in the extra work such a requirement adds to content courses.
Updated September 3, 2008
