About First-Year Writing

The first-year writing program at Western Michigan University consists of three courses that are designed to provide students with important academic writing skills and, more generally, to contribute to student success in and beyond university coursework. These courses are English 1040: Writing Studies Lab, English 1050: Foundations in Written Communication, and English 1060: Writing, Research, and Inquiry.

Nearly 70% of all Western Michigan University first-year students will enroll in one of the first-year writing program's courses. This academic year, approximately 100 students will enroll in one of five sections of English 1040, 1500 students will enroll in one of 70 sections of English 1050, and 250 students will enrolled in 12 sections of English 1060. A staff of 35 individuals (faculty, staff, graduate assistants, and instructors) teach these courses.

Mission

The mission of Western Michigan University’s first-year writing program is to:

• encourage, instruct, assess, and respond to undergraduate students as they develop competencies in written communication;
• support, credential, and grow a dynamic group of professional educators as they develop, maintain, and apply expertise in writing instruction; and,
• connect with the university community and beyond on conversations and initiatives involving writing, rhetoric, and literacy practices