Writing Across The Curriculum

The Lindsay-Crane Center helps implement one of the oldest Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) programs in the nation. Begun in the 1970s, WAC serves as a foundation for excellence at Hiram College. Faculty attend Center workshops to learn to better teach writing both in the first-year program and in courses more specific to their own disciplines.

From their first day on campus, Hiram College students are taught that good writing and thoughtful inquiry is central to every discipline and profession. As a part of the Urgent Challenges Curriculum, students begin their fall study in the Enduring Questions Seminars, courses offered by professors from across the college centered on timeless topics such as “Is Government Necessary?”, “What is a Self?”, and “Who Deserves Health?” In spring semester, students focus on more timely questions and work on research writing in the Urgent Question Seminar, with topics such as “Who and What is an American?” and “What is Addiction?” In their remaining years at Hiram, undergraduates write in most all their classes, and most majors culminate with a written project that serves as the capstone for both their major and their writing experience at the College.

Writing Assistants and the Writing Center

A key feature of Hiram’s WAC program are Writing Assistants—undergraduates trained as peer writing tutors in the Writing Center and as peer teaching assistants in the First-Year Seminar program. Writing Assistants provide an essential tutoring resource to the student body at Hiram, but they also find that graduate schools and prospective employers value the mentoring experience and leadership role this position provides.

The Hiram College Writing Center supports the school’s comprehensive commitment to writing. Students in all courses are encouraged to bring essays to the Writing Center at any stage in the writing process for feedback.