Three undergraduate students recently were recognized by the Communication Across the Curriculum (CxC) Program for outstanding writing.
Tabitha Dewolf, in a class instructed by Sara Levens, won the Psychology Writing Award. Junior Laura Rutzen was recognized for work submitted for “Social Psychology of Law” taught by Mary McKenzie, and the winner of the Dance Department Critical Essay Award was Nicole Cortazzo; Ann Dils was her professor.
Founded in 2009, the Communication Across the Curriculum Program (CxC, formerly CAC) is celebrating its fifth year. It was created in response to the 2008 UNC Tomorrow Report. From four pilot departments, the program has grown to include faculty representation in 12 departments across four colleges. They are the School of Architecture and departments of Art + Art History and Dance in the College of Arts + Architecture; the departments of Kinesiology, Public Health Sciences and Social Work and the School of Nursing in the College of Health and Human Services; the Biology, History, Psychology and Sociology departments in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences; and the Lee College of Engineering’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Communication Across the Curriculum is an initiative that provides faculty support, but it is department-focused, said Jean Coco, program director.
“We work with departments to develop speaking and writing outcomes for their students based on what their students need to be able to do with and through writing and speaking,” Coco explained, adding that separate outcomes may be developed for students who plan to pursue graduate work versus those who plan to enter the workforce upon graduation.
In consulting with a department, Coco said she asks faculty members to review course syllabi to map out opportunities for writing and speaking in early courses so students can build skills as they work toward more complex writing and speaking assignments.
Currently, Coco is encouraging CxC faculty to work with students to build digital portfolios to showcase their communication skills. Such e-portfolios demonstrate mastery of their learning, she said.
“This is critical for liberal arts majors; writing assignments demonstrate their critical thinking skills that can be applied in a business environment,” stated Coco. “Research also indicates that students who have created e-portfolios are more articulate in interviews, because they have thought about how to respond to tough questions related to their discipline and how their studies are applicable to potential employers.”
Coco noted she is available to consult with departments to assist in developing a communication-enhanced curriculum for their students. Throughout the academic year, the program offers lunch-and-learn opportunities. The next one is a social media pedagogy fair scheduled for 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, in the College of Health and Human Services, Room 128. Register online.