Quality Enhancement Plan FAQs
Why are we doing the QEP?
We are doing it for two reasons. First, it is part of the reaccreditation process for the University. An accrediting agency certifies the quality of a university. This is similar to the agencies that issue licenses for doctors to practice medicine or licenses for lawyers to practice law. Second, it is required at this stage in the evolution of the University. The mission and vision of the University require a focus on writing. The new Liberal Arts Core Curriculum is an initiative developed specifically in response to the mission and vision. It also requires a focus on writing. The QEP is a project that will help to implement the writing.
Why are we doing the QEP on writing?
We didn’t have to select writing. Other universities have chosen community involvement, going green, global awareness, critical thinking, information literacy, and other topics. The University, however, thinks that writing is an inherent part of its mission and vision. Writing will make our students better citizens (able to vote and make decisions for the betterment of society, better able to defend and propagate their faith, and it will make them better prepared for careers and professions.
What is the difference between writing in Smith College and writing in the majors?
There really is no difference. The problem is that we sometimes behave as though there is a difference. Good writing is good writing. In the past, we have not had effective communication between Smith College and the majors of the various schools and colleges. In the past, the lessons learned in ENGL 1313 and ENGL 1323 were not reinforced in the follow-on courses of the majors. This had two negative results: a) either students did not understand how to apply the techniques they had already learned, or b) they did not see how writing had any relevance to Accounting, Biology, or History, for example.
Maybe I can select my courses so that none of them is a "W" course?
The QEP is about writing across the curriculum. It will include 3-4 courses in the new Liberal Arts Core Curriculum. These are the LACC courses that every student has to take: ENGL 1313, PHIL 1313, HIST 2313, and CHRI 2373. Besides the LACC, the QEP will impact the majors. Every major has a set of required courses, and 2-3 of them will be "W" courses. By the end of your studies at HBU, you will have had around 7 "W" courses.
Does this mean that I have to take extra courses to get out of HBU?
No. You will take the same number of courses as before.
Are you telling me that I now have to write hundreds of pages to get out of HBU?
No. The writing assignments are quite modest. Most of them will be no longer than 3-4 pages. In a capstone course you might have a longer paper. Remember, a writing course is not required to have more than one official "W" assignment. An instructor, however, could choose to have more than one "W" assignment.
I'm going to have a writing portfolio? Does this mean I will have to drag a big folder around the campus?
No. The portfolio will be electronic. It will contain each of your writing assignments, the instructor’s feedback, and the rewritten version of each assignment. The portfolio will allow the faculty to work as a team to help you improve your writing and it will show you your progress. Other students will not see your portfolio. If you should apply to graduate school, or when you apply for a job, this portfolio will help you demonstrate your skills and knowledge.
Why do you call the QEP Writing for Wisdom?
We call it "Writing for Wisdom" because we want to go beyond a focus on the mechanics and formats of writing and move to a higher level, where students use writing to support thinking and argumentation across all the areas of their life – as a person, as a professional, and as a citizen.
Tell me again why I should care about my writing?
You should care, for several reasons. Number 1, it’s the right thing to do. The University is founded on faith and on reason. If you can’t write, you will be unable to profess your faith. If you can’t write, you will be unable to reason about the growing complexity of the world that you will be entering – globalization, the environment, human rights, the role of government, the role of the family, etc. If you can’t write, you will be crippled in your career and profession. As a matter of fact, you may not even be considered for an interview. The following email was written by an HBU student when applying for a job. Would an employer even want to talk to this student?
A stakeholder is anyone who has an interest in the QEP. Obviously, students and faculty are stakeholders since they are most directly and immediately impacted by the QEP. Another important stakeholder is Student Life, since writing is intended to affect the student’s entire experience at HBU. The Board of Trustees is also a stakeholder. After all, the Board has oversight for the University, to ensure that the University’s programs are aligned with its mission and vision. Other stakeholders are alumni, employers, and the community in general. For alumni, the quality of recent HBU graduates is very important, since this next generation is a reflection on the alumni. Employers have a stake in the QEP because they will derive a great benefit as they hire a new generation of young people with superior skills in writing and communication. Finally, the community as a whole benefits when young people leave the university prepared to participate in society because writing has sharpened their thinking and speaking.