The University Writing Center invites applications for the W Course Teaching Award. Established to encourage the development of excellent and innovative writing intensive courses, the award is funded by the UWC for five years in the amount of $3,000 per year. The first award was given in Fall 2005 to Roel Lopez of Wildlife and Fisheries Science (WFSC 486). The second was given to Darla Jean Weatherford, Petroleum Engineering (PETE 435).

Self-nominations as well as nominations from colleagues, departments, and colleges are welcome. Eligible faculty members are those with an approved W course that has been taught at least one semester. Elements of the application packet include:

• a letter of nomination explaining how the nominee is contributing to the development of writing-intensive course in their department or college,
• a course syllabus demonstrating the integration of writing into a specific course,
• a brief reflective statement by the nominee regarding the motivation for the change from a non-writing-intensive to a writing-intensive one or the development of a new writing-intensive course including analysis on what has worked well and what has presented challenges for them and their students. Inclusion of samples of student work in the packet is encouraged.

The selection process will be coordinated by the Center for Teaching Excellence, with a group of faculty engaged in teaching writing-intensive courses serving as the selection committee.

Nominees will be evaluated based on the following characteristics:

• Well integrated with the rest of the course.
• Models/supports thinking in discipline.
• Models/supports civic/professional effectiveness.
• Promotes critical thinking.
• Promotes creative thinking.
• Attention to mechanics of writing.
• Opportunity for writing practice.
• Promotes ethics/integrity.
• Promotes understanding of the writing process.
• Quality of instructor feedback to students.

The recipient of the 2006-2007 award will be recognized early in the Fall semester. Nomination packets are due to the CTE (4246 TAMU, 533 Blocker) on or before September 28, 2007.

For assistance or information, contact Valerie Balester, Executive Director, University Writing Center. Read more about the award winners in our newsletter, Writing Matters.