Writing in the Disciplines

Southeast approaches writing in the disciplines (WID) differently from many other institutions. While other institutions have designated WID courses, Southeast integrates writing throughout the General Education program on the basis of the written communication objective.

Some faculty may be more familiar with the term "writing across the curriculum" (WAC). Many WAC models, however, delegate the teaching of all writing skills to an English department or to a WAC program. In these models, students rarely learn how to write from experts in the various disciplines. In a WID model, however, writing instruction is disseminated throughout the curriculum and the various departments and programs at an institution. Therefore, because Southeast's WID program is integrated in all General Education courses, all Southeast faculty are responsible for writing instruction.

Professional Development Opportunities

The Center for Writing Excellence now offers WID professional development opportunities through the Speakers Series and Breakfast/Lunch workshops.

Speakers Series

Area professionals visit campus to discuss the role of writing in their careers. Speakers share their personal experiences with writing, the types of writing that are expected of employees, and job trends that involve written communication.

Past Presentations Include:

• “Writing and Marketing,” presented by Charlie Wirtel, store manager of the Buckle, explored the role of written communication in marketing. Mr. Wirtel discussed the importance of communication in his profession and emphasized the important—yet often under-used—tradition of writing simple thank-you notes.
• “Writing and Engineering,” presented by Brian Richardson, engineer and project leader with Boeing, explored the role of written communication in engineering.
• “The Role of Writing in My Career,” presented by Jay Knudtson, former Cape Girardeau mayor and former president of Southeast’s Board of Regents, as well as current vice president of First Missouri State Bank, offered an overview of his personal journey with writing and the role of written communication in his career.

Breakfast/Lunch Workshops

Southeast faculty lead workshops to share writing techniques and to discuss the role of writing within specific disciplines. Faculty workshop participants learn innovative practices that they can integrate into the classroom.

Past Presentations Include:

• “Integrity in the Classroom,” presented by Dr. Sally Carter, director of Testing Services, shared the importance of integrity and classroom activities for defining and building integrity.
• “Responding to Student Work,” presented by Dr. Missy Nieveen Phegley, professor and director of Composition and Assessment in the English department, provided tips for responding to student writing in a way that offers both support to the student and constructive critiques for improvement.
• “Writing to Learn: Structuring the Semester for Student Success,” presented by Dr. Sandra Cox, assistant professor in the English department, discussed scaffolding assignments to assist students through semester-long assignments.
• “Now You’re Writing My Language,” presented by Dr. Sarah Dietrich, assistant professor in the English department, offered a unique perspective of written communication in an American university through the lens of a non-native English speaker.
• “Straight from the Horse’s Mouth: Primary Sources in Special Collections and Archives, Kent Library,” presented by Dr. Joni Hand, associate professor of Art History with the Department of Art and Design, featured several pieces from the Charles Luce Harrison Collection and shared her research on the role each served in the history of written communication.