The summer seminar is a meeting-place for any teacher interested in any aspect of composition, and is required for teachers of WD courses. Topics in the summer seminar arise from experiences teachers have while doing WD courses during the semesters, as well as from circumstances that affect the college, such as core curriculum changes. The instructors who meet in the summer seminar may, by majority vote, add or alter requirements for participating in the program.
The following is a listing of agenda items as listed for summer seminars since 1990. Items with an * represent topics occurring every year:
- Overview of Program*
- Introductions*
- Introduction to new technology (Consultants from Carnegie-Mellon)
- Commentary and Assessment by consultants
- Review of past writing seminars*
- Discussion of Principles of Good Writing*
- Principles of Good Writing, Language and Rhetoric, MacLab
- Presentation by the Dean: "Interdisciplinary Writing and the SVC curriculum"
- Authorial Credibility
- Internet Presentation: Cathy Middlecamp, University of Wisconsin Writing Matters
- Networks and Writing Labs
- Transliteration of 6 Principles into language and terms more suitable to the discipline*
- Pieces of writing from the discipline evincing 6 Principles*
- Discussion of current assignment and evaluation practices in writing*
- Problems in composing and grading writing assignments in SVC courses*
- Compilation of kinds of writing assignments given by past & present participants
- Discussion of reading materials assigned*
- Reconsideration of current grading habits and behaviors
- Introduction to Interdisciplinary Writing Lab*
- Outlining of faculty needs*
- Discussion of reading materials assigned* Compilation of W-designated course list*