Writing Center
Recognizing the need for stronger writing instruction to better prepare students for the workforce and for graduate study, the University of the Pacific implemented the Writing in the Disciplines Program in the fall of 2006.
The goal of Writing in the Disciplines is to assist faculty and students at Pacific in the improvement of student writing within their majors and individual disciplines and to encourage more active, engaged learning through writing intensive courses, the use of innovative teaching methods in writing instruction, and tutorial support from the Student Writing Center for all levels of writing, from the Pacific Seminars to Senior Capstone Courses.
Writing in the Disciplines at Pacific is based on four central principles:
- Writing is both a central form and reliable measure of critical inquiry. Lucid, incisive writing can only result from clear, sharp thinking.
- Writing is a systematic process that involves multiple drafts, solicitation and use of feedback, revision, further responses, reflection, and final editing.
- Good writing has a clear purpose and is discipline-, audience-, and context-specific.
- Improvement in writing occurs over time and is best understood as a life-long process.
Writing-Intensive Curriculum
Pacific's writing-intensive curriculum is comprised of three stages. During the freshman year, Pacific Seminars I and II serve as the first stage. Courses in each department designated as "writing-intensive" or capstone seminars comprise the second and third stages during the sophomore through senior years in most disciplines.
Student Writing Center
In fall 2009, the Writing in the Disciplines Program collaborated with the University Library and the Educational Resource Center to open a newly refurbished Student Writing Center on the 2nd floor of the University Library, adjacent to the Study Commons and the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning. Funded by a Pacific Innovation Grant, this newly remodeled space offers comfort, utility, and flexibility for students assigned to work with a Writing Mentor from a writing-intensive course or who drop in for on-demand tutoring with one of the 10-12 Writing Mentors who staff the Center each semester.
Writing Center - Spring 2012 Schedule (Subject to change each semester)
Students with questions about the Writing Center can email or call Melanie Hash, Coordinator for the Writing Center, at 
Email or 209-817-1497. Drop in for assistance during regular hours: 10-9:00 Mon-Thurs; 10-4:00 Fri; or 2-9:00 Sun.
Faculty interested in working with a Classroom-Based Writing Mentor should contact the Director Dr. Douglas M. Tedards by Email or call 209-932-2970.
Writing in the Disciplines Activities
Some of the activities supported by the Writing in the Disciplines Program include:
- Hiring and training student Writing Mentors to serve as writing tutors in writing-intensive courses and the Writing Center.
- Promoting faculty development in writing instruction through peer-review workshops, individual consultations, and financial support for developing curriculum and assessment plans in writing.
- Co-sponsoring lectures, readings, and workshops for students and faculty by nationally known writers and writing experts in a wide range of disciplines. Examples of past guest speakers include:
- David Dobbs, science journalist for Slate, Scientific American Mind, and the New York Times Magazine
- Award-winning poet Li-Young Lee from Chicago, Illinois.
- Kate Moses, a Pacific alumna who is co-editor of Salon's "Mothers Who Think" column and author of Wintering: A Novel of Sylvia Plath
- Chris Thaiss, Director of University Writing at U.C. Davis and author of Engaged Writers and Dynamic Disciplines
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| Angie Chau, author of Quiet as They Come a short collection that follows a Vietnamese family who settle in San Francisco during the Vietnam War. | Camille Dunghy, well-known African-American poet who visited classesa dn read her poetry during BLack History Month, 2011. |
For More Information
Contact Dr. Douglas M. Tedards, Director of Writing in the Disciplines, to learn more about this program at Pacific.
Office: Writing Center, 2nd Floor – Main Library
Phone: 209.817.1497 or 209.932.2970
Email
