MWrite Seminar for Engaged Learning

The Sweetland Seminar for Engaged Learning brings together faculty and graduate student instructors (GSIs) from multiple disciplines to explore writing as a means of learning in STEM and large enrollment gateway courses. During this seminar, participants learn more about the pedagogy behind writing-to-learn assignments as well as explore ways that writing-to-learn is being used in courses at U-M and beyond. This seminar is open to any faculty member who is interested in learning more about how writing can be used to improve student learning. The seminar is supported by the College of Literature, Science & and Arts and the Sweetland Center for Writing.  

Teams of faculty and GSIs are encouraged to participate, but it is not necessary for a faculty member to be accompanied by a GSI. However, GSIs can participate only as part of a faculty team.

All seminar participants share a commitment to:

  • Fostering more engaged learning in STEM and large enrollment courses
  • Employing writing as a means of learning
  • Creating a community of practice at U-M around writing-to-learn pedagogies

Seminar participants:

  • Read and discuss articles related to writing-to-learn
  • Confer with experienced U-M faculty about writing-to-learn assignments
  • Discuss writing-to-learn pedagogies with colleagues
  • Develop prompts to be used in a possible MWrite course

After the end of the semester, faculty receive $1,000 in a research account and GSIs receive a $1,000 stipend during fall term.

After participating in the seminar, faculty can decide to apply to participate in the MWrite Program in which Sweetland will provide support in implementing writing-to-learn through the following:

  • Writing Fellow support (undergraduates who have previously excelled in the course and who are trained by Sweetland to assist with implementing writing to learn)
  • Support from MWrite staff
  • Access to the MWrite automated peer review system
  • Opportunities to confer with experienced MWrite faculty

An interest in MWrite is not required to participate in this seminar; however, faculty who wish to have the MWrite supports in their courses must have first participated in this seminar. Explore this website to learn more about the project.

Applying for the MWrite Seminar

Application materials include:

  • A letter (maximum one page) indicating your interest in using writing as a mode of learning in your course, including goals and rationale for implementing writing-to-learn pedagogies in this course, and (if applicable) an explanation of how your GSI might benefit from participating in the seminar (and GSI CV if appropriate)

We are currently not accepting applications for the MWrite Seminar.

Contact Laura Schuyler at schuyler@umich.edu with questions.