Freshmen math or science majors might think that after completing their Writing 20 course, they can say good-bye to writing forever, and some departments that thought they would never have to offer writing courses. But both may have to think again.
Beginning with the class of 2004, all undergraduates must take not only the first-year writing course but also two writing-in-the-disciplines courses.
Associate Dean of Trinity College Ellen Wittig said she expects students will take one of those within their majors. This means that all departments-including math and sciences-must offer writing courses.
Currently, however, the math department offers no writing-in-the-disciplines classes. Stephanos Venakides, director of undergraduate studies in math, is working to alter existing courses rather than developing new writing classes.
"There are some courses in math that involve writing proofs, and we thought that these could satisfy the writing," he said.
Last year, the math department tried to get these courses approved for writing but was unsuccessful. Venakides insisted that mathematical proofs and modeling are indeed writing in the discipline.
"We have tried to convince the University that math has its own language," he said. If the department's efforts continue to fail, however, it will have to develop new courses that fit the traditional definition of writing.
Still, Venakides does not resent this aspect of Curriculum 2000.
"It's fair. Let's accept it and see where we can go with it," he said. "You need good communication in today's society. In a field like math... it is important to establish a certain level of communication."
Joshua Socolar, director of undergraduate studies in physics, said that like mathematics, his department is not working to create new writing classes. The physics department offers four writing courses, and Socolar explained the development of new ones is not a high priority.
He said he would look into the situation more closely as Curriculum 2000 students begin to declare majors and once it becomes clearer which courses will count toward the writing requirement.
"Students who major in physics will have to pay attention because it may be a little harder for them to get the writing [requirement]," he said.
Robert Thompson, dean of Trinity College, said differences among fields of study, not inaction by math and science departments, contribute to the shortage. For example, an English student could be able to satisfy the writing requirement simply by taking the courses necessary for the major, while a physics student would have to go out of his way to do so.
Slightly more than 100 classes are now classified as writing in the discipline, though administrators hope to offer 400 such courses.
Thompson said developing new writing classes is difficult, because grading papers and meeting with students requires a significant time commitment from instructors.
Yet Thompson remained optimistic about reaching his goal, noting that the first class bound by these requirements will not choose majors for another year.
"I fully expect we'll have enough courses," he said. "We're working to make sure that happens."
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