The Future of Writing at USU: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
8-13-2025 11:00 AM
End Date
8-13-2025 11:45 AM
Description
Although students who enter their first college writing course may initially worry about their grade in that one class, most writing teachers emphasize the importance of writing for transfer: the ability of students to apply their learning to the many future writing contexts that exist beyond the grade—and adapt their writing skills to new audiences, purposes, and genres. Industry and professionals consistently support this approach to the teaching of writing, as they seek future employees who are strong and flexible written and oral communicators.
Given that USU’s general education program is in transition, it is an ideal time for faculty to engage in interdisciplinary dialogues about the learning and teaching of writing, To help prepare us for this transition, this panel examines the intersections of composition and discipline-specific writing from a variety of perspectives. Featuring speakers from Engineering, Business, Technical Education, and Writing Studies, the panel highlights interdisciplinary insights on writing preparation and expertise, asks key questions designed to advance our teaching of writing, and provides possibilities for future interdisciplinary collaborations. In order to facilitate a wider dialogue, audience members will also have an opportunity to contribute to the discussion. As the Center for Civic Excellence prepares for a new approach to teach writing at USU, this panel offers recommendations for how teaching writing within an integrated humanities model might explicitly prepare students to write across the disciplines—not for a grade, but to be engaged learners and members of society.
The Future of Writing at USU: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Logan, UT
Although students who enter their first college writing course may initially worry about their grade in that one class, most writing teachers emphasize the importance of writing for transfer: the ability of students to apply their learning to the many future writing contexts that exist beyond the grade—and adapt their writing skills to new audiences, purposes, and genres. Industry and professionals consistently support this approach to the teaching of writing, as they seek future employees who are strong and flexible written and oral communicators.
Given that USU’s general education program is in transition, it is an ideal time for faculty to engage in interdisciplinary dialogues about the learning and teaching of writing, To help prepare us for this transition, this panel examines the intersections of composition and discipline-specific writing from a variety of perspectives. Featuring speakers from Engineering, Business, Technical Education, and Writing Studies, the panel highlights interdisciplinary insights on writing preparation and expertise, asks key questions designed to advance our teaching of writing, and provides possibilities for future interdisciplinary collaborations. In order to facilitate a wider dialogue, audience members will also have an opportunity to contribute to the discussion. As the Center for Civic Excellence prepares for a new approach to teach writing at USU, this panel offers recommendations for how teaching writing within an integrated humanities model might explicitly prepare students to write across the disciplines—not for a grade, but to be engaged learners and members of society.