The Warren College Writing Program: Academic Argumentation

Argument is central to academic work. Scholars and scientists are expected to support their conclusions with convincing reasons and compelling evidence. Informed argument is equally important in planning and policy discussions, political decisions, and judgments in a court of law. Even in everyday conversation we are sometimes challenged to justify our opinions and back our assertions. The Warren College Writing Program is a two-quarter sequence that is in accordance with university-wide and college-specific requirements.

Each student must complete a two-course sequence in Warren Writing (10A and 10B) within four quarters (following successful completion of the UC entry level writing requirement). All students entering as freshmen are required to complete Warren writing courses only at UCSD. The purpose of the sequence is to teach and thereby enable students, through intensive practice, to read critically and write appropriately in a variety of academic contexts. Classes are seminar-size and center on discussion of student work.

The two-quarter sequence emphasizes written argumentation based on primary and secondary sources. Students read and write academic arguments in preparation for their work in various academic disciplines.

In both 10A and 10B, student writing is duplicated and discussed by the class in a workshop setting. Instructors hold conferences with students individually during the quarter and provide written and oral commentaries on student work. The minimum writing requirement is 8,000 words per quarter.

WCWP 10A: Introduction to Academic Argumentation

A workshop course in reading and writing required of all Warren College students. The course emphasizes argumentation and critical writing based on sources.

Each year, all classes focus on a single topic for the 10A course, and writing assignments are consistent across all 10A classes. The topic for 2007-2008 is “The Consciousness Debates”.

A course reader and a special edition magazine constitute the required 10A texts.