University Writing
Brandeis students must fulfill the following undergraduate writing requirements:First year: USEM and UWS (two full-credit courses) *The UWS is a full-credit course specifically dedicated to writing as a subject in its own right; it treats writing as a multifaceted art and gives students an opportunity to study and experiment with a broad range of writing styles. All first-year students will thus complete a UWS course. The UWS places special emphasis on forms of argumentation. Other areas of attention include critical reading, essay structure, revising, research skills, and proper documentation. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions page. |
Composition
Some students may also be required to take Composition, a course designed to build basic writing skills. Composition must be completed before students can progress to UWS. Students who are required to take Composition in the fall semester of their first year will be notified over the summer. For more information regarding Composition, see the FAQ.
USEM
USEM stands for University Seminar. USEMs are taught by faculty members, and are meant to introduce students to college-level intellectual analysis. All first-years are required to take this class. You can find USEM course descriptions here.
UWS
UWS stands for University Writing Seminar. UWS courses are taught by specially trained graduate students and focus on teaching academic writing skills using a variety of reading and writing assignments. Aside from two hours per week of classroom instruction, students meet individually with their instructors for one-on-one tutorials. You can find UWS course descriptions here.
WI
Writing Intensive courses, offered across the curriculum, combine instruction in particular subject matter with close attention to writing. They require more writing than the usual course, and focus on developing skills in drafting, revising, and fine-tuning your writing within a discipline (e.g., Economics, History, Math). You can find a list of WI courses online here -- click on “University Writing” and scroll down.
Writing-intensive courses are upper-level courses that are offered in departments throughout the University. Normally taken in a student's second or third year, these courses are based in a specific academic discipline and require frequent or regular attention to writing and instruction in the skills of academic writing.
The list of courses that satisfy the writing-intensive requirement changes each year. The following list should be considered preliminary, courses that satisfy the requirement in a particular semester are designated "wi" in the Schedule of Classes for that semester. When there is a conflict between this Bulletin and the Schedule of Classes regarding the designation of a course as writing intensive, then the information in the Schedule of Classes takes precedence. To find classes offered in a semester that are designated as "wi," search for the attribute of "genr/wi." Consult with the director of University writing if in doubt about whether a course satisfies the requirement in a specific semester.
Courses of Instruction
COMP 1a Composition
Prerequisite: Placement by the director of University writing. Successful completion of this course does NOT satisfy the first-year writing requirement.
A course in the fundamentals of writing, required as a prerequisite to the first-year writing requirement for selected students identified by the director of University writing. Several sections offered in the fall semester and one section in the spring semester.
Staff
UWS ##a and ##b University Writing Seminar
Four semester hour credits.
A course in college writing, with stress on writing sound, argumentative essays that demonstrate mechanical and stylistic expertise. Offered every semester.
Staff
Writing Intensive Courses
• For specific information on the courses, including meeting times, please go to the University Bulletin.
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