Writing Across the Curriculum

WE TAKE WRITING TO THE NEXT LEVEL, ACROSS THE DISCIPLINES AND BEYOND

Benefits For Students

WAC, or "W," courses provide students with an opportunity to receive course credit in the discipline of the class, and - if they earn a grade of C or higher - they can satisfy the third quarter WRIT 30/30S breadth requirement. Fulfill two requirements in one class, one quarter.

Prerequisite: Writing 020/20S or Equivalent

> A typical “W” course includes three to four mandatory, assignment-specific workshops per quarter, each requiring a completed "ticket in" assignment designed to assist with either research, drafting, revision, or idea development. The workshops are designed to support you by guiding you through the writing process.

> Students in “W” courses can see a WAC undergraduate writing consultant who is embedded in the class and fully aware of course assignments and expectations.

> Students interested in enrolling in a “W” course should consult their advisors to determine when to take the WAC course. Students should also review their College/School requirements to ensure they understand which WAC Course(s) can fulfill specific requirements, such as the third-quarter writing requirement.

Benefits For Faculty

If you are interested in developing your own WAC Course, here are the benefits:

> WAC courses keep the student/ASE ratios at or below 50:1. ASEs will benefit from smaller class sizes and can better assist students with content-focused lessons.

> Your students will benefit from required WAC writing workshops that meet with all students enrolled in "W" courses. These writing workshops meet three to four times a quarter to address the demands of specific "W"-course writing assignments. These workshops can also include library collaborations to better assist students with research goals.

> Your ASEs will be part of a collaborative 302 Teaching Practicum, which is required for all "W"-course discussion ASEs. These sessions often meet weekly with the WAC Coordinator (Dr. Raymund Papica). These sessions focus on developing pedagogical strategies: unpacking the writing assignments, giving productive feedback to students, organizing effective discussion sections, evaluating student work efficiently, and developing scaffolded WAC workshops, often synchronizing workshops with discussion sections for maximum impact.

Faculty with an interest in developing a writing-intensive course should contact: WAC Coordinator and UWP Associate Director, Raymund Papica.

WAC Course Descriptions for Fall 2026

Click a block for further details about a course that interests you.

Anthropology 141W +

WRIT 040Y

4 Units, Lecture, 3 hours; written work, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): concurrent enrollment in WRIT 040Y; WRIT 020 with a grade of C or better or WRIT 020S with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.

Introduces prominent sociocultural anthropological principles and theories underpinning the disparities between undergraduate and graduate diversity within the U.S education system. Also addresses components of graduate education within the UC system. Topics include impostor syndrome, growth mindset, social and cultural capital, intersectionality, and time poverty. Offered Online Only.

Fulfills the third-quarter writing requirement for students who earn a grade of "C" or better for courses that the Academic Senate designates, and that the student’s college permits, as alternatives to English 001C. Credit is awarded for one of the following: ANTH 141W or HNPG 110.

ANTH 141W fulfills the third-quarter writing requirement for CHASS and CNAS majors.

Business 100W +

WRIT 040E

4 Units, Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): concurrent enrollment in WRIT 040E; WRIT 020 with a grade of C or better or WRIT 020S with a grade of C or better; BUS 020; ECON 003 or ECON 003H; STAT 008; or consent of instructor.

Focuses on writing and communication methods in the business environment. Topics include written and oral presentations, interpersonal skills, teamwork in the multicultural setting, and effective use of communication technologies.

Fulfills the third-quarter writing requirement for students who earn a grade of "C" or better for courses that the Academic Senate designates, and that the student's college permits, as alternatives to WRIT 030.

BUS 100W is designed for Business majors, allowing them to fulfill the third quarter writing requirement in their discipline.

Education 103W +

WRIT 040M

4 Units, Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): concurrent enrollment in WRIT 040M; WRIT 020 with a grade of C or better or WRIT 020S with a grade of C or better; or equivalent; restricted to class level standing of sophomore, junior, or senior; or consent of instructor.

Introduces mindfulness and humanity-centered approaches to writing about issues in education. Develops individual abilities to cultivate and sustain healthy writing practices. Fosters a constructive and welcoming space for peer feedback.

EDUC 103W fulfills the third quarter writing requirement for CHASS majors.

Engineering 180W +

WRIT 040Q

4 Units, Lecture, 3 hours; workshop, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): concurrent enrollment in WRIT 040Q; WRIT 020 with a grade of C or better or WRIT 020S with a grade of C or better; restricted to class level standing of junior, or senior.

Develops oral, written, and graphical communication skills. Includes preparing and critiquing reports, proposals, instructions, and business correspondence. Emphasizes professional and ethical responsibilities and the need to stay current on technology and its global impact on economics, society, and the environment.

ENGR 180W is designed for Engineering majors, allowing them to fulfill the third-quarter writing requirement in their discipline.

Entomology 60W/Botany 60W +

WRIT 040P

4 Units, Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): WRIT 040P, may be taken concurrently; WRIT 020 with a grade of C or better or WRIT 020S with a grade of C or better; BIOL 005A with a grade of C- or better.

Explores effective communication methods in the sciences. Teaches the process of analyzing and translating scientific research into popular science stories. Introduces the art of science communication through written narratives. Provides resources and guidance on interpretation of scientific literature; interviewing scientists; and pursuing careers in entomology, the broader life sciences, and science writing.

BPSC 60W / ENTM 60W fulfills the third-quarter writing requirement for CHASS and CNAS majors.

History 099W +

WRIT 040O

4 Units, Lecture, 2 hours; discussion, 2 hours. Prerequisite(s): concurrent enrollment in WRIT 040O; WRIT 020 with a grade of C or better or WRIT 020S with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.

An introduction to the tools in the historian's workshop. Includes historical sources, methods of analysis, and various approaches to historical narrative. Discusses historical research, analysis, and writing through study of historical works and through practice with original historical sources.

Prepares for upper-division History and humanities courses. Fulfills the third-quarter writing requirement for students who earn a grade of "C" or better for courses that the Academic Senate designates, and that the student's college permits, as alternatives to WRIT 030.

HIST 99W fulfills the third-quarter writing requirement for CHASS majors.

Honors 2W +

WRIT 040X

4 Units, Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour. Prerequisite(s): concurrent enrollment in WRIT 040X; WRIT 020 with a grade of C or better or WRIT 020S with a grade of C or better; admission to University Honors.

Aims to cultivate, enhance, and facilitate interest in social change by exploring the principles of civic engagement. Bridges the academic and personal life by providing knowledge and tools for civic engagement.

HNPG 2W enables both CHASS and CNAS students to fulfill the third-quarter writing requirement.

Physics 142W +

WRIT 040S

5 Units, Laboratory, 11 hours; individual study, 6 hours; workshop. Prerequisite(s): concurrent enrollment in WRIT 040S; PHYS 002C with a grade of B- or better or PHYS 02HC with a grade of B- or better or PHYS 040E with a grade of C- or better or PHYS 041C with a grade of C- or better; WRIT 020 with a grade of C or better or WRIT 020S with a grade of C or better; restricted to class level standing of senior; and consent of instructor.

A capstone experience consisting of experiments chosen from areas in contemporary physics. Includes writing instruction with an emphasis on technical communication. The course enables students to explore their interests in physics through the capstone project.

PHYS 142W is designed for Physics majors, allowing them to fulfill the third-quarter writing requirement.

Political Science 5W +

WRIT 040G

5 Units, Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 1 hour; extra reading, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): concurrent enrollment in WRIT 040G; WRIT 020 with a grade of C or better, WRIT 020S with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.

An introductory study of the ideologies of the modern era. Explores selected thinkers and texts representative of liberalism, conservatism, socialism, fascism, nationalism, nonviolence, and feminism as well as various non-Western ideologies.

POSC 5W fulfills the third-quarter writing requirement for CHASS majors.

English 102W

4 Units, Lecture, 3 hours; extra reading, 3 hours. Prerequisite(s): a major in English; WRIT 020 or WRIT 020S with a grade of "C" or better; one of the following courses: ENGL 020A, ENGL 020B, ENGL 020C.

An in-depth analysis of the formal features of several genres, as well as an introduction to theoretical and critical approaches. Course themes may change depending on the faculty’s expertise.

ENGL 102W fulfills the third-quarter writing requirement for CHASS majors.

WAC Course Spotlight

Have you thought about graduate, medical, or law school? Nursing school? Prestigious fellowships or scholarships? The course is designed for students seeking additional guidance on graduate, medical, or law school, as well as other prestigious post-undergraduate programs. The course, with the help of the Buscadores Program, provides writing support to help students prepare for their future beyond their undergraduate life. Additionally, the course will help students build their CVs/Resumes, cover letters, personal statements, and statements of purpose. Furthermore, the course is a 4-unit, synchronous online course that demystifies the hidden curriculum of advanced degree applications (and scholarships, grants, fellowships, and other opportunities. Through this course, you'll gain critical application strategies. If you have further questions, contact jessica.bradford@ucr.edu or raymund.papica@ucr.edu.

ANTH 141W: Have you thought about graduate, medical, or law school? Build your CV, get credit, learn the hidden curriculum, learn application strategies

WAC WINTER 2027 AND SPRING 2027 COMING SOON...