Invitation to Develop
"CONNECT: Advanced Writing" Courses

With the professional development for Quest I, II, and II accomplished and the creative efforts of nearly 200 instructors in progress, the UW Oshkosh teaching community is now ready to develop the final USP course: CONNECT-Advanced Writing. Students will take the CONNECT course after completing the QUEST sequence, as they begin their fourth or fifth semester.

As currently envisioned, CONNECT will immerse students in the process of creating texts for different audiences and focus on developing the skills of rhetorical awareness, analytical reading, research, synthesis, and argumentation. Students will reflect and write about the personal and public roles of liberal education and their experiences in the University Studies Program. In addition, they will work to synthesize the USP's three Signature Questions in the context of significant public issues.  

CONNECT professional development includes workshops in all three Signature Questions, and an intensive dialogue on Signature Question synthesis, using the ePortfolio to advance student writing, and other issues to be collaboratively addressed by CONNECT instructors.

Monday, March 18, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Sustainability

Tuesday, March 19, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Civic Learning

Thursday, March 21, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Intercultural Knowledge and Competence

Monday, June 3, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - CONNECT Synthesis Dialogue

For further information and registration, click here.

USP Events: This Week

Quest I Teaching Community Gathering
The Quest I teaching community will have the opportunity to meet as paired instructors for conversation in an informal setting.

Today, 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., Titan Underground

USP Open Information Meeting
This one-hour or less presentation and discussion is being offered for
anyone on campus who would like to become more familiar with the University Studies Program.

Friday, Feb. 15, 1:50 to 2:50 p.m., Reeve 201

Meet the USP Council

The USP Council is comprised of members of the UW Oshkosh campus community who are supporting the early implementation of this new general education program (2012–2014). In the next several USP Updates, we will continue to introduce members of this collaborative team.

Douglas Haynes, CONNECT Writing Coordinator

Douglas Haynes is an associate professor of English and has directed the Advanced Composition program at UW Oshkosh since 2009. Over the past year, Douglas has been working to create a foundation for transitioning the seven Advanced Composition courses into the USP’s new CONNECT course. This new course will continue to provide students with a focused context for developing writing skills while also offering a reflective, capstone experience for the University Studies Program. To help create this new course, Douglas is collaborating with instructors, faculty, and administrators throughout the campus.

A narrative nonfiction writer and poet, Douglas earned an MFA in creative writing from Southern Illinois University. His essays, poetry, journalism, and literary translations have appeared in more than thirty-five publications in the United States, Canada, and Europe. He is currently working on a nonfiction book about the collision of poverty, pollution, and climate change in Managua, Nicaragua and what this city tells us about the urban future. 

Need Help?
For assistance, please use the following contact information:
email: usp@uwosh.edu
website: uwosh.edu/usp