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MCWP Program Goals and Course Outcomes

Program Goals

  • Develop and refine critical thinking skills;
  • Develop an ability to read, understand, and critique texts in diverse genres;
  • Develop skills necessary for clear communication;
  • Acquire a vocabulary and techniques for analysis and critical thought;
  • Revise written work on a rhetorical level (in respect to thesis or claim, argument, evidence, and analysis) and on a sentence level (in respect to grammar, tone, syntax, and style);
  • Develop arguments in a logical and effective way;
  • Account for audience in their writing;
  • Learn and follow the MLA citation format;
  • In general, learn skills useful in their work for other classes or future careers; and
  • Adhere to the guidelines for academic integrity and conduct, including rules for avoiding plagiarism, as set forth by the University of California, San Diego.

Course Goals

MCWP 40 Goals

At the successful completion of MCWP 40, students should
  • Realize that writing is a process that includes revision, collaboration, and discussion
  • Recognize that writers are ultimately responsible for their own writing
  • Reflect on their critical and analytical processes for writing
  • Respond accurately to different writing assignments
  • Demonstrate an understanding of course concepts
  • Incorporate feedback from instructors and peers to improve writing
  • Provide constructive feedback to peers
  • Use key components and conventions of writing appropriately
  • Use an appropriate organization strategy

MCWP 50 Goals

At the successful completion of MCWP 50, students should, in addition to the goals in MCWP 40,
  • Learn to develop a claim supported by appropriate evidence
  • Develop questions to guide research
  • Acknowledge different perspectives on a given topic or issue
  • Distinguish among primary, secondary, and tertiary sources
  • Identify scholarly resources
  • Evaluate sources for credibility
  • Navigate library resources

MCWP 125 Goals

At the successful completion of MCWP 125, students should

  • Realize that writing is a process that includes revision, collaboration, and discussion
  • Recognize that writers are ultimately responsible for their own writing
  • Reflect on their critical and analytical processes for writing
  • Respond accurately to different writing assignments
  • Demonstrate an understanding of course concepts
  • Incorporate feedback from instructors and peers to improve writing
  • Provide constructive feedback to peers
  • Use key components and conventions of writing appropriately
  • Use an appropriate organization strategy
  • Learn to develop a claim supported by appropriate evidence 
  • Develop questions to guide research 
  • Acknowledge different perspectives on a given topic or issue 
  • Distinguish among primary, secondary, and tertiary sources 
  • Identify scholarly resources  
  • Evaluate sources for credibility 
  • Navigate library resources 

Muir College Writing Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

Program Learning Outcomes (PLO)

MCWP 40

MCWP 50 and 125

Revise written work on a rhetorical level (in respect to thesis or claim, argument, evidence, and analysis) and on a sentence level (in respect to grammar, tone, syntax, style)

Structure

Arrangement of argument: paragraphs and topic sentences, conclusion; introduction  

Main Claim 

Original, complex, arguable, addresses the course theme  

Mechanics 

Editing, voice, syntax, style, grammar, spelling, tense, and punctuation  

Structure 

Arrangement of subclaims, evidence, warrants, and acknowledge and response; overall quality of argument  

Main Claim 

Answers research question; original; arguable  

Mechanics 

Language, style, spelling, grammar, punctuation; academic conventions  

Develop arguments in a logical and effective way

Application of the Elements of Argument 

Reasons, subclaims, warrants, A&R, qualifier, and audience awareness    

Evidence 

Choice, use, and integration of evidence from the assigned texts  

Elements of Argument 

Subclaims, evidence, A&R; warrants  

 

Sources and Evidence 

Choice and integration of sources and evidence  

 Learn and follow a proper citation format 

MLA Conventions 

Citations, Works Cited, MLA paper format 

MLA Conventions 

Citations, Works Cited, MLA paper format 

Adhere to the guidelines for academic integrity and conduct, including rules for avoiding plagiarism, as set forth by the University of California, San Diego 

MLA Documentation 

Turnitin Similarity Reports 

Lack of attribution, potential plagiarism 

MLA Documentation 

Turnitin Similarity Reports 

Lack of attribution, potential plagiarism