#writing intensive

[weneeddiversebooks]

We Need Diverse Books is excited to announce an online Native Children’s and YA Writing Intensive that will take place from August 13, 2020, through August 16, 2020, with faculty including Cynthia Leitich-Smith, Traci Sorell, Rosemary Brosnan, and Linda Camacho.

[smithbysmithies]

are there required courses (like gen eds) besides First Year Seminar at smith?

Nope! Unlike most colleges, Smith doesn't require students to take any gen eds! Even First Year Seminars aren't technically required, it's the writing intensive aspect of the courses offered that really matters, as all incoming first years are required to take at least one course classified as writing intensive.

You will likely have specific required courses for your major, once you choose it, but otherwise, you're free to take what you want!

Smith’s open curriculum is really rare, and it's definitely one of the things that drew me to the school. I mean, where else would I never have to take another math class? ;)

-Heather ‘21

[lyric-boleyn]

I failed a pass/fail rough draft for one of my classes. Our professor told us not to feel defeated if we failed, but it's hard not to. I know I can write well. I came into college with 12 English credits, and I never got less than a B in my College in the High School English classes. I'm just hoping this isn't a preview of what the rest of my semester in this class is going to be like. I've heard that she is a tough grader. She had some good comments she wrote on it, so I'm hoping that is a sign that I can receive a good grade on the finished paper.

[smithbysmithies]

Hi! Quick question: When will we know which first year seminar we got placed in? Do we have to register for them, or are we just given one based off of the advising form the incoming freshman filled out this summer? Thanks!

You’ll register for your first year seminar at the same time you register for your other classes, and you’ll have help from your student academic advisers and your liberal arts adviser. Because these are capped at 16 people, they tend to fill up very quickly. Having a list of several backups is a great idea, and remember that as long as you find a class that’s listed as writing intensive, it can be used in place of your first year seminar if you’d like to do that!

Sara ‘20

I personally never did a first year seminar. This subject can be a little confusing; FYS are not a requirement at Smith, the requirement is a Writing Intensive course. All first year seminars are designed to fulfill this writing intensive requirement but are not the only way to fulfill it. While FYS are a great opportunity since the courses are only open for first years, if you chose not to take one that is 100% okay! I did a writing intensive course called Writing About Humor instead which meant that there were all different years of students in the class and it actually ended up being one of my favorite classes I’ve taken at Smith. 

Madeleine ‘19

[smithbysmithies]

is it possible to take two first year seminars?

Hello!

I believe it’s allowed to take two first-year seminars (FYS), the only problem is registering for them. These classes are capped at 16 people, and everyone has to register for a FYS or writing intensive. It’s very hard to get into one of these classes (I didn’t get into the FYS I wanted), getting into two might be a challenge. Also, if you do get into two FYSs, it might be better to give one of the spots to someone else who needs and wants to take the class. I remember that registering for the FYS was one of the most stressful things, as everyone wanted it to be over and done with their first semester. It’ll be good to relieve that stress on someone :)

Naomi ‘19

[1daymore2revolution]

I hate writing essays so much why did I sign up for a liberal arts college

[smithbysmithies]

do transfers have to take first year seminars?

Hey! Transfers do not have to take first year seminars, but they do have to take a writing intensive class during their first year at Smith, depending on what courses you took at the school you’re transferring from. I had a friend who transferred from another small women’s college and she still had to take a WI in her first year, which was annoying but it does help you become familiar with the resources and expectations of Smith.

-Vanessa ‘17

[smithwithsophia]

Has anyone taken two writing intensive courses in one semester (more specifically, their first semester)? Do you think that it's manageable?

I’m not sure off the top of my head because there are a lot of random WI’s offered and I actually haven’t memorized my friend group’s class schedules from two years ago so... I feel like if you’re in the humanities or social sciences everything starts to be writing intensive all the time by your second year (even if it’s not officially designated WI). I feel like I write for a large portion of the day just about every day (but maybe looking back I just remember that more than reading and other work). So taking two WI’s will prepare you for that lifestyle, but I don’t know if you want to do that to yourself. Don’t take two FYS because that’s not fair. If I had to guess, I would suspect that you want to take an FYS and an English class (am I right? probably ENG 199?).  

My general take on Writing Intensive Courses: they are not classes where you’re writing a TON but rather classes where you are transitioning to college writing through meeting with your professor, trying out the Jacobson Center for Writing, and expanding papers. They are good for you. There’s a reason it’s the only course requirement at Smith outside your major. So taking two... sure?