To meet the GECC requirements for a writing-intensive course, your syllabus should include the following components:

1) a prominent statement indicating that it is a W-I course (see sample SMU syllabi);

2) a statement indicating how writing serves the goals of the course;

3) the amount of formal writing you will include in the course (at least 10 pages);

4) the number of formal writing assignments students will complete in the course;

5) the percentage (at least 30%) of the total grade determined by writing assignments;

You should attach to your syllabus the following:

1) a sample assignment (see sample SMU syllabi). For the sample assignment, you should indicate on the assignment sheet itself how you will coach students through the writing process (i.e., when rough drafts/revisions will be due, when any peer workshops or individual conferencing will be held, and when the final draft will be due).

2) a scoring guide to accompany the assignment (see sample SMU syllabi)

Finally, any syllabus with an extensive writing component should probably do the following:

a) indicate the kinds of writing instruction you will provide: opportunities to revise with comments, peer writing workshops, information about particular disciplinary forms, etc.;

b) specify your grading policy, particularly the general criteria by which you will evaluate formal and informal writing, and other supportive activities such as work on peer workshops or getting rough drafts in on time;

c) include on your course calendar the basic due dates for writing assignments; and

d) indicate any special policies related to writing such as your policy on late papers, allowing further revision, or plagiarism.

*Adapted from "Checklist for a Writing-Intensive Syllabus" by Hildy Miller, The Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Writing, University of Minnesota