Upper-Division Writing

After successful completion of the lower-division writing requirement, you will continue to hone your writing and communication skills through an upper-division writing, or “W,” course. You can expect the following in a “W” course:

  1. You will write papers totaling 4,000 words or more of finished work. Working drafts of the papers will also be submitted for an initial reading and returned to you with useful feedback for revision.
  2. The course will include instruction in the kinds of writing commonly practiced in your discipline. Discussion of writing and activities relating to writing will be integrated throughout the course and indicated on the course syllabus.
  3. There will be a ratio of 20 (or fewer) students to one faculty member or TA.

Here are some examples of “W” courses:

ART 101W: Artists as Writers
4 Units
Contemporary art practice involves text, as final form or an integral element. Many contemporary artists consider writing as essential to their practice. Covers historical and contemporary uses of text and image as well as artists’ writing.
Prerequisite: ART 9A and ART 11A. Satisfactory completion of the lower-division writing requirement.
Restriction: Art Majors only.

BIO SCI E166L: Field Biology
4 Units
Conducting group and independent studies in Southern California ecosystems, this course covers the fundamentals of experimental design, statistical analysis, communicating scientific findings (orally, visually, in writing), and other skills necessary for the scientific investigation of biological processes in the field. Materials fee.
Prerequisite: (BIO SCI 100 or BIO SCI 108) and BIO SCI E106. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Restriction: Seniors only.

COM LIT 101W: An Introduction to Translation Studies
4 Units
Focuses on theories of translation and on how these theories help students understand the role of translation in the world. Students develop a critical vocabulary for discussing translation in multiple linguistic traditions and complete a final translation project.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement. Working knowledge of at least one foreign language.

ENGINEERING 190W: Communications in the Professional World
4 Units
Upper-division technical writing course including the development of presentation skills. Effective communication with a range of audiences. Recognition of ethical and professional responsibilities for engineers.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Restriction: School of Engineering students only. Graduating seniors with an application on file have first consideration.

I&C SCI 139W: Critical Writing on Information Technology
4 Units
Study and practice of critical writing and oral communication as it applies to information technology. Each student writes assignments of varying lengths, totaling at least 4,000 words.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Restriction: Upper-division students only. School of Info & Computer Sci students have first consideration for enrollment.

MANAGEMENT 191W: Business Communication
4 Units
Provides students with a solid foundation in business communication. Emphasis is placed on improving students’ written and oral communication skills to help them succeed in (1) upper-division Business Administration courses, (2) graduate school, and (3) work and career activities.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Restriction: Business Administration Majors only.

PHYSICS 106W: Advanced Data Acquisition, Analysis, and Scientific Writing
4 Units
Introduces modern practical laboratory techniques for developing data interface devices, acquiring and analyzing data, and writing up results in manuscript format. Experiments include interfacing with instruments through software and hardware development, PID controller, Fourier analysis, and lock-in amplifier.
Prerequisite: PHYSICS 52B and PHYSICS 194.
Concurrent with PHYSICS 206 and CHEM 206.

SOC SCI 184GW: Media Writing
4 Units
Designed to teach reporting and news writing basics. Students learn how to gather and organize information, ask effective questions, develop story ideas, research facts, and write stories on deadline.
Prerequisite: Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement.
Overlaps with IS XI155B, SSCI XI184G.
Restriction: International Studies Majors have first consideration for enrollment.

For more information, please contact your academic advisor.