Ways to Go for the Writing Intensive Course
Ways to Go for the Writing Intensive Course
  • Reporter Chae Seung-hyun
  • 승인 2020.01.05 18:21
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▲Emphasizing the importance of writing via brainstorming
▲Emphasizing the importance of writing via brainstorming

 

As of 2018, the Writing Intensive (WI) course was initiated. Starting from the classes of 2018, students who have completed the GEDU 101 ‘writing’ class are required to take at least two WI-designated courses. The courses for WI are chosen out of HASS (Humanity, Arts, Social Science) department. During the course registration period, students who wish to take the WI course must first apply for one of the HASS subjects and then apply for a course with “WI” written in front of the HASS subject they just applied.
The goals of the WI course are to one, by carrying out academic writing in the subjects of humanities, arts, and social science equip students with high-level writing skills and logical and critical thinking skills. And two, substantially improve writing skills so that students can write for their purposes, logical and persuasive writing.
The Postech Times surveyed to find out how the students view the WI Course. The survey questioned, their thoughts on the helpfulness of the WI course, appropriateness of the amount of work they had to do, and their thoughts on the WI courses providing zero credit, and what they wanted in the future for the WI course whether it be change of abolishment.
In total, 87 students partook in the survey. Out of 87 that participated, 88.5% responded that is was unhelpful. Of the 88.5% that responded it was unhelpful, 52% gave their reason for it not improving their writing skills, 17% because it has no adequate support, and the remaining majority, 11.7% because the choice of subjects was restricted, and they couldn’t write the subject of their choice.
77% thought that the amount of work they had to do was inappropriate and too much. 89.7% were unsatisfied with no credit being provided for partaking in the course. Regarding the students’ wish for the future of WI, 51.7% wished the course itself would be abolished, 31% wished a separate intensive writing subject providing credits would be created and 16% wished the course would at least provide credits. No one responded that they wished for the current format to be kept.
Due to its infancy, the WI course stills has problems that need to be dealt with. None of the students surveyed were satisfied with the current format and wished change. The intents and goals of the course itself are great, but there are still ways to go.