Writing in the Faculty of Arts: Understanding student learning and knowledge transfer in Arts Studies in Research and Writing (ASRW)

TitleWriting in the Faculty of Arts: Understanding student learning and knowledge transfer in Arts Studies in Research and Writing (ASRW)
Faculty/College/UnitArts
StatusCompleted
Duration1 Year
Initiation04/01/2016
Completion03/31/2017
Project Summary

ASRW teaches nearly 2,000 students each year, introducing them to scholarly contexts and genres using an innovative approach to academic writing. Our flagship course, WRDS 150, represents the “road most travelled” by students fulfilling the Faculty of Arts writing requirement. Our 2014 External Reviewers praised it highly, but recommended systematically assessing what students learn and take with them into their other courses.

In this study, we will work with students and faculty partners to identify academic writing expectations in social sciences (psychology, economics) and humanities (history, philosophy), as well as the ways in which WRDS 150 prepares students to meet these expectations.

This evidence will enhance teaching and learning within WRDS 150, allowing us to refocus curricula more fully to support students’ acquisition and transfer of genre knowledge and writing practices, and tailor professional development to equip ASRW faculty to prepare students more thoroughly for writing in the disciplines.

Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2016/2017
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorKatherine Power
Year 1: Funded Amount7,975
Year 1: Team Members

Katherine Power, Instructor, Arts Studies in Research and Writing, Faculty of Arts
Jaclyn Rea, Senior Instructor, Vantage College