Writing Excellence
The Importance of Writing
What are the issues facing writing in the 21st century? How does one even write in this age of Tik Tok, posts, and Instagram? How do you navigate the demands of effective, engaging written communication? The Writing Excellence Program at Eckerd College helps students to develop their abilities to negotiate different topics as a writer, to analyze arguments of others, to communicate effectively arguments yourself, to collaborate on ideas, and to practice making choices about what, how, and why to communicate with others.
Writing at Eckerd College
In spring 2024, the faculty of Eckerd College adopted a new writing policy.
The proposal that the faculty approved includes the following changes:
For new students:
Students who matriculate in Autumn Term 2024 (including those students transferring in as sophomores, juniors, or seniors in Fall 2024) or later will be required to complete two Writing Intensive courses in lieu of the Writing Portfolio. One course must be completed within the student's first four semesters at the College. Writing Intensive courses must be passed with a C- or better. If a student earns less than a C- in a WI course, it will not count toward the completion of the requirement.
For current students who are NOT planning to graduate in May 24:
Current students who matriculated prior to 2024 will be grandfathered under the former policy (if desired). Current students may opt either to submit a Writing Portfolio, or they may opt to take a second WI course.
The WP option will remain in place for current students through Spring 2027.
The schedule for WP submission will remain the same through Spring 2027 with the WP due on the fifth Friday of the Fall and Spring semesters.
Announcements about portfolio information sessions and due dates will be forthcoming at the start of each new term.
Current students who opt to complete the requirement under the new policy must pass both WI courses with a C- or better. The minimum grade requirement is not waiverable.
Current students who opt to complete the requirement under the new policy must take at least one of the two WI courses at Eckerd College. No more than one WI course earned via transfer or transient credit will count toward the requirement. "Transfer credit" includes dual enrollment courses.
Current students who opt to complete the requirement under the new policy may take (or may have taken) their WI courses at any point during their undergraduate career. The stipulation to complete one WI within the first four semesters will not apply to students who matriculated before Autumn Term 2024.