Drafted by: Steve Bernhardt and John Courtright, Task Force Co-Chairs, 

June 7, 2002

Time period for Task Force work: 2003-2004 school year

Mission

The mission of the Task Force on Writing is to formulate a plan with specific action steps to ensure that undergraduates at UD obtain and improve upon critical communication skills during their courses of study. 

Specific Objectives:

1. Develop a broad statement of the desired level of communication skills UD hopes to see in all graduates, with action steps toward achieving those skill levels. Set goals, milestones, and guidance.
2. Recommend an approach to assessment that will ensure that UD graduates have the skills they need.
3. Develop a plan for assessing whether required courses in communication (introductory and advanced) are fulfilling their purposes.
4. Review and make recommendations for providing sufficient resources to support the teaching of written and oral communication.

Assumptions:

1. Developing strong communication skills (writing and speaking) in all students is a shared goal and responsibility of all departments.
2. One size will not fit all—colleges and programs are likely to develop tailored activities, faculty expertise, programs, and assessment measures that lead to desired outcomes for their specific disciplines.
3. Isolated, required courses in writing or speaking will not by themselves develop the desired student skills. Instruction must be reinforced with continued opportunities for practice and feedback within disciplinary courses, practica, fieldwork, intenships, and lab experiences.
4. The current staffing demands that fall on the English and Communication Departments and the budget demands that fall on the College of Arts and Science are not sustainable—there is more campus demand for writing and speaking skills courses than the Departments and College can accommodate.
5. All recommendations should be informed by cost/benefit analysis.