 Contact WAC
Writing Across The Curriculum
Learning Resource Center (LRC)
American River College
4700 College Oak Dr.
Sacramento, CA 95841
916.484.8802
Email: wac@arc.losrios.edu
The Writing Across the Curriculum Program
The Writing Across the Curriculum Program is designed to help students from all academic disciplines with any academic writing task. After a brief orientation session, students schedule 25-30 minute, one-on-one instructional appointments with English faculty. We also provide shorter, unscheduled drop-in tutoring sessions and workshops that address grammar and composition topics. We serve all students, including those who have little or no experience with college writing as well as students who are already skilled writers. This course is not a substitute for any other English course.
WAC Mission Statement
The mission of the Writing Across the Curriculum Program is to empower students at American River College to become better, more confident writers. We serve students from all academic disciplines represented on campus at any stage of the writing process, within the context of individual tutorial sessions as well as in our Drop In. We believe that all students, no matter the level of their individual development or experience, deserve the opportunity to become better writers. We define the writing process broadly to include planning and discussion of writing assignments as well as drafting and editing. We believe that our role is not merely to “fix” student writing or to guarantee students a specific grade, but to guide them toward self-improvement, which is a process of growth and development. We believe that the writing process is recursive and that guidance from WAC instructors and writing consultants will help students learn to communicate more effectively in writing. We think that this can be best accomplished collaboratively through the dynamic interplay that goes on during tutorial sessions.
We believe that writing “plays an essential role in cultivating critical and creative thinking, and in fostering responsible citizenship,” thus contributing to the overall educational development of the student as well as to the stated mission of the college.
Upon succesful completion of the course, a student will be able to:
- Practice applying writing strategies for a variety of written academic assignments
- Compose and revise written academic assignments
- Review, discuss, and apply composing skills as appropriate for individual student needs and skill levels
How can you make your WAC experience successful?
Many students find their WAC experience to be an important part of their college success. WAC can help you with academic writing from any subject area offered at American River College as well as with personal statements for scholarships or college transfer. And we help with every aspect of the writing process: choosing a topic, writing and revising a rough draft, working on grammar, and documenting research.
In order for the WAC staff to best serve you, here are some ways in which you can effectively prepare for your tutoring sessions:
1. Bring your syllabus, your textbook, and any handouts relating to the assignment for which you will be receiving assistance. Be sure that you understand the assignment.
2. Don't wait until you already have something written to come in for an appointment. The writing process often starts much earlier than the moment at which you actually put pen to paper or sit down in front of the computer.
Other Important Stuff:
1. All WAC appointments are held in the Learning Resource Center (LRC). Map.
2. The WAC staff does not merely proofread and correct errors on assignments for students. We can, however, as a part of the tutoring process, help students identify their own errors. And we will, of course, help students with diction and mechanics.
3. WAC offers various grammar and composition workshops during the semester. Information and schedules are posted on the WAC D2L site and on the bulletin board in the WAC area.
What qualifications do the WAC tutors have?
The Writing Across the Curriculum tutors are instructors and instructional assistants from the ARC English Department. Although the program is staffed by folks from the English Department, we assist students with writing tasks in all subject areas. We have working relationships with many instructors across campus as well as working knowledge of specialized essay formats required in different classes.
WAC Policies
Receiving Credit:
1. To receive credit in WAC ("Pass"), you must complete a minimum amount of work, which can include scheduled and same-day appointments, Drop-in Center time, and workshop participation. We track the amount of time students spend working in the program. Please note that, for example, if you are 10 minutes late for an appointment, you will be given 20 minutes of credit--the number of minutes you are actually here. If you do not complete the minimum requirements for the course, you will receive a grade of "No Pass."
2. If you are in jeopardy of not receiving your .5 unit credit in WAC this semester, you may be contacted via email toward the end of the semester. However, you are responsible for tracking your own time and WAC course requirements.
3. Although it is your responsibility to drop before the final deadline if you wish to do so, anyone who has not had an appointment for one month may be dropped at the instructor's discretion.
4. You must complete one 60-minute workshop and an additional three hours of "WAC time" to receive course credit. The additional three hours of WAC time may include the following: scheduled WAC appointments, additional WAC Workshops (beyond the one required workshop), Drop-in Center sessions.
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