General EducationWriting Across the Curriculum

Retreat

Session III:

Mission and Objectives for Gen Ed / WAC Program

October 6, 2006

Goals for the Session

• Review terms/definitions for WAC Programs• Examine sample objectives/outcomes• Construct possible objectives/outcomes for

UNLV• Examine sample mission statements• Construct possible mission statements for

UNLV• Discuss differences between WAC and CAC

Starting Points

• Assumptions about writing

• Define WID

• Define WAC

• Define CAC

Points to Keep in Mind

• University, Department, Program, Course

• Horizontal AND Vertical– 100-level, 200-level, 300-level, 400-level

• Coherence AND Consistency

• Bloom’s Taxonomy

Questions to Keep in Mind

• What are expectations for writing ability at the 100 level? At the 200 level? At the 300 level? At the 400 level? In your program? In your department? In your college? At the university?

• How might we translate these expectations into objectives/goals for WAC and then into outcomes for course, program, department?

Defining Objectives

• Broad goals that describe what the learners are supposed to know or be able to do

• Stated in general terms• May be based upon

– Needs of the learner– Needs of academic community or unit– Needs of society

• Normally not observed or measured• Supported and defined by one or more

specific outcomes

Defining Outcomes

• Name specific competencies to be achieved

• Expressed in key verbs• Used to communicate expectations• Provide a framework for learners• Focused on observable and assessable

actions or behaviors• Employed in assessing educational

practices

Defining Missions

• Brief statement of a unit’s fundamental purpose and/or philosophy

• Articulates purpose for both unit (internal) and public (external)

• Ensures everyone is “on the same page”

• Serves as basis for future planning

Examining Sample Objectives

• Review sample objectives and goals from:– University of Arizona– University of Pittsburgh– Clemson University– Louisiana State University

• As a small group:– Name key features present– Analyze features for application at UNLV– Offer best examples

Sample Outcomes

• Review sample outcomes from:– University of Nevada, Las Vegas– Wright State University

• As a small group:– Name key features present– Analyze features for application at UNLV– Offer best examples

Constructing Objectives and Outcomes

• Individual Freewrite:– Describe WAC program objectives that

might work most effectively with outcomes you might name for your specific unit (program/course)

• As a small group:– Compare individual insights– Construct 2-3 WAC objectives for UNLV that

might operate effectively at the university level (see Verbs list for possible key words)

Examining Sample Mission Statements

• Review sample mission statements from:– University of Missouri Columbia– North Carolina State– University of Arizona

• As a small group:– Name key features present– Analyze features for application at UNLV– Offer best examples

Constructing a Mission Statement

• As a small group:– Based on your WAC objectives, construct a

mission statement that accurately reflects a philosophy important for UNLV’s academic environment

– Share with large group and justify your statement