The Muir College Writing Program is a sequence of courses in critical thinking and the writing of analytical prose. During these courses, students must advance beyond the basic competency expected at entrance to understand and write discourse acceptable at the university level. Even when faced with challenging topics, students must demonstrate the ability to comprehend texts at more than a superficial level; their writing must exhibit focused theses, systematic methods of analysis and argumentation, awareness of the needs of their audience, strong organization and development, clear presentation of ideas, appropriate syntax and diction, and needless to say, correct grammar and usage.

To achieve these ends, the courses focus on principles of analysis and reasoned argumentation. Through close reading of texts, students learn both to identify underlying issues, assumptions, and values, and to identify rhetorical strategies by which these are conveyed or revealed. Students also learn to monitor and adapt their own writing processes. Because the ability to evaluate one's own writing and carry out appropriate revision strategies is particularly crucial to effective writing, all students are required to revise their papers several times. Attention is devoted to developing skill in evaluation and revision in discussion sections and in individual conferences with instructors. Sections of MCWP 50 vary in theme and content, giving students the opportunity to write in areas that interest them or that may be relevant to their major fields. (Descriptions of the MCWP 50 sections are available each quarter in the Muir Writing Program office during pre-enrollment.)

Incoming freshmen are required to take both MCWP 40 and MCWP 50 for a letter grade within their first two years of attendance at UCSD. TAG and IGETC certified transfer students are required to take either MCWP 50 or MCWP 125; MCWP 125 is recommended. Other transfers, upon satisfaction of the Basic Writing Requirement, must take MCWP 40 and 50 within their first three quarters at UCSD. In cases where more than one quarter of practice is needed to prepare a student for MCWP 50, an IP grade is given in MCWP 40, and the student takes MCWP 41. (Completion of the sequence allows students to meet the Muir College writing requirement.)

Certain exceptionally well-prepared students, particularly transfer students, may satisfy MCWP 40 or MCWP 50 by examination. The Muir challenge examinations are given at the beginning of fall and winter quarters only. Also, students may not be enrolled in a Muir Writing course if they choose to participate in the Challenge Exam. Students may not take the challenge in the same quarter they expect to graduate.

Muir Writing Staff:

Carrie Wastal, Director

Sara Safdie, Interim Assitant Director

Nancy Hesketh, Teaching Coordinator

Nicolette Cook, Program Assistant