Writing Program Curriculum

The Writing Program is part of Mercer's Foundational Studies program which is designed to introduce students to the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to engage self, community, and an interconnected, yet diversified world.

Foundational Studies is accomplished through one of two tracks: the Integrative Program or the Great Books Program. In each case, the requirements are fulfilled through (A) interdisciplinary courses, (B) literacy courses, (C) writing competency, (D) an experiential requirement and (E) UNV 101. The combined requirements of either track contribute to the shared outcomes of Foundational Studies.

Writing competency is demonstrated by the completion, with a grade of C or better, of three Writing Instruction courses. These three courses differ depending on whether a student is on the Integrative Program track or the Great Books Program track. Students on the Integrative Program track will take INT 101 in the Fall semester of their first year, a disciplinary course linked to WRT 120 in the Spring semester of that year, and INT 201 in either semester of their second year. Great Books students will take GBK 101, GBK 202, and GBK 203 in their first three semesters at Mercer.

INT 101, 201, GBK 101, GBK 202, and 203 are all 4-hour Writing Instruction courses. WRT 120 is a one-hour course that must be taken in co-requisite with disciplinary courses as specified in the Course Schedule. Evaluation of WRT 120 courses is determined by assignments that directly measure the students’ ability to write well. Grade determination for WRT 120 will be explicitly defined on the disciplinary course syllabus. A student must successfully complete WRT 120 with a grade of C or better prior to taking INT 201. Students repeating WRT 120 are not restricted to also repeat the same disciplinary co-requisite.

You can read more information about the INT (Integrative) program on its Mercer web page. Catalog descriptions for each Writing Instruction course are available below:

  • INT 101
  • GBK 101
  • WRT 120
  • GBK 202
  • INT 201
  • GBK 203

INT 101. Understanding Self and Others (4 hours)

Through a shared first-year experience, students will examine representations of and reflections on the self in order to develop as individuals in relationship to others. Subject matter will confront students’ conceptions of selfhood, their relationships with others, the moral and ethical values that guide them, and the influences that shape the formation of identities. Course content and assignments will be reflective of how the self and its relation to others has been imagined and defined by writers, thinkers, artists, and scholars representing the four domains of natural science, social science, humanities, and the arts. As a Writing Instruction course, substantial attention, in terms of both instruction and course work, will be given towards developing the practical skill of writing as specified in the Writing Instruction section of the catalog. (Every Year)

GBK 101. Understanding Self and Others: Among Gods and Heroes (4 hours)

Through a shared first-year experience, students will examine representations of and reflections on the self in order to develop as individuals in relationship to others. As the introductory course in the Great Books Program, selfhood will be explored through the prism of foundational works of the ancient Greeks including works by Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Thucydides, and Plato. Writing instruction and written work for this course will further develop students’ understanding of writing as a means of discovering and expressing ideas across domains of knowledge. As a Writing Instruction course, substantial attention, in terms of both instruction and course work, will be given towards developing the practical skill of writing as specified in the Writing Instruction section of the catalog. GBK 101 fulfills the requirement of INT 101 for students in the Great Books Program. (Every Year, fall semester)

WRT 120. Disciplinary Writing Instruction (1 hour)

Prerequisite: INT 101 or GBK 101 Co-requisite: must be with an associated course as prescribed in the Course Schedule

Students will read actively, think critically, and write effectively for a variety of audiences, genres and purposes as part of a process of recursive reflection and revision. Students will identify, evaluate, and responsibly utilize relevant primary and secondary sources and information to formulate a valid line of reasoning in response to complex issues and ideas. Writing instruction is tailored to the distinctive writing demands of the associated co-requisite disciplinary course. (Every Semester)

GBK 202. Classical Cultures (4 hours)

Prerequisite: GBK 101

Readings from such authors as Plato, Euclid, Aristotle, and Virgil. Writing instruction and written work for this course will further develop students’ understanding of writing as a means of discovering and expressing ideas across domains of knowledge. As a Writing Instruction course, substantial attention, in terms of both instruction and course work, will be given towards developing the practical skill of writing as specified in the Writing Instruction section of the catalog. GBK 202 fulfills the WRT 120 requirement for students in the Great Books Program. (Every year, spring semester)

INT 201. Building Community (4 hours)

Prerequisite: a grade of C or better in WRT 120

Students will study issues and problems in creating and preserving public good in communities and nations. Students will explore the use of civil, effective communication to address complex and contentious issues. Course content and assignments will reflect an examination of the relationship between citizenship and inclusive human communities by examining the works of writers, thinkers, artists and scholars representing the four domains of natural science, social science, humanities, and the arts. As a Writing Instruction course, substantial attention, in terms of both instruction and course work, will be given towards developing the practical skill of writing as specified in the Writing Instruction section of the catalog. (Every Semester)

Not offered until 2013-14 academic year

GBK 203. The Hebrew and Christian Traditions (4 hours)

Prerequisite: GBK 202

Readings in several books of the Old and New Testaments as well as selections from Augustine and Aquinas. Writing instruction and written work for this course will further develop students’ understanding of writing as a means of discovering and expressing ideas across domains of knowledge. As a Writing Instruction course, substantial attention, in terms of both instruction and course work, will be given towards developing the practical skill of writing as specified in the Writing Instruction section of the catalog. GBK 203 meets the requirement for the third writing instruction course for students in the Great Books Program. (Every semester)

 

 

divider