What is the Faculty WAC Network?

The WAC Network is a group of twenty-two faculty and librarians who advocate for Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) and have a shared interest in student writing. 

This group first met in September 2007 for a full-day workshop entitled, "Writing to Learn, Learning to Write," led by nationally recognized WAC scholar and workshop leader, Dr. Toby Fulwiler (photos below).  In a post-workshop survey, one faculty member wrote, "[This workshop] will have a strong influence on how I teach my undergraduate research course this spring and my next Second Year Seminar.  This was the most useful 'pedagogy' workshop that I have attended at BSC-and I have attended just about all of them over the last 12 years." 

During the workshop, participants discussed what it is that students find challenging when writing, and how faculty can guide students through the writing process and help students understand our expectations.  Dr. Fulwiler stressed that teaching students how to learn through the act of writing and how to use revision to learn more about writing itself are key components of pedagogy, in all disciplines and at all levels of the curriculum.  As one survey respondent pointed out, "I think many of us who are less experienced in the teaching of writing tend to focus too much on 'grammar' when working with students, particularly in the revision process.  Although grammar and syntax are obviously important, the primary focus on revision should be the structure and organization of ideas, or the development of entirely new ideas, not simple editing." 

The Network members then met over the semester to share approaches to teaching with writing they have used in their own classrooms and to brainstorm ways to support the teaching of writing across campus.  See "What does the Network Offer?" to learn more about the resources they offer through their roles as Network members, and "Meet the Members" for a list of faculty and librarians participating in this program.

	Toby Fulwiler leading the workshop, with WAC Network members Kathryn Evans, Assistant Professor of English and Writing Studio Coordinator; Ward Heilman, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science; Thomas Kling, Assistant Professor of Physics and Coordinator of First Year Seminar; Mark Kemper, Assistant Professor of Political Science and Assistant Director of the Center for Legislative Studies; and Soma Ghosh, Assistant Professor of Economics. .
WAC Network members David O'Malley, Assistant Professor of Social Work; Sarah Wiggins, Assistant Professor of History; and Jo-Ann DellaGiustina, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
	Toby Fulwiler and WAC Network member Anne Doyle, Assistant Professor of English and Writing Program Administrator
WAC Network members Teresa King, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Coordinator of Second Year Seminar, and member of the Adrian Tinsley Program Advisory Committee; Lee Torda, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research; Pamela Russell, Associate Professor of Movement Arts, Health Promotion, and Leisure Studies and CART Research Fellow; and Anne Doyle, Assistant Professor of English and Writing Program Administrator
	Toby Fulwiler and WAC Network member Peter Saccocia, Associate Professor of Earth Science and member of the Adrian Tinsley Program Advisory Committee
WAC Network members Laura McAlinden, Assistant Professor of Philosophy member of the Adrian Tinsley Program Advisory Committee; and Ward Heilman, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science

Last Modified: September 11, 2008