AWP Courses
The UC San Diego Analytical Writing Program offers a range of lower and upper division writing courses to help students master the critical thinking, reading, and writing skills that they will use at the university and in their professional lives.
In our writing courses, students can expect to:
- Read and analyze challenging and interesting essays;
- Explore these essays with classmates in lively discussions; and
- Write and revise frequently, based on thoughtful feedback from instructors and peers.
ELWR-Fulfilling Courses
Students who have not yet fulfilled the University of California’s Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) are placed into the following credit-bearing courses: one-quarter AWP-003 or a two-quarter sequence AWP-004A & 004B. Students must pass AWP-004B or AWP-003 with a C or better to fulfill the ELWR. (See UC Senate Regulation 636 C.1.)
AWP-003: Analytical Writing
AWP-003 provides underprepared writers the opportunity to develop their critical thinking and writing abilities. At the end of AWP-003, students will produce a portfolio of work that will determine their readiness to enter the college writing programs.
Replaced AWP-001. The 4 units earned in this course will count toward graduation units. Passing AWP-003 fulfills the ELWR.
AWP-004A: Analytical Writing and Academic English A
AWP-004A is the first of a two-term sequence designed to offer students who need more English language support and/or more time to develop their critical thinking and writing abilities. Students who enroll in AWP-004A are required to enroll in AWP-004B in the subsequent term.
Replaced AWP-002A. Pass/Not Pass only. Students must earn a Pass to move on to AWP-004B. The 4 units earned in this course will count toward graduation units.
AWP-004B: Analytical Writing and Academic English B
AWP-004B is the second of a two-term sequence designed to offer students who need more English language support and/or more time to develop their critical thinking and writing abilities. At the end of AWP-004B, students will produce a portfolio of work that will determine their readiness to enter the college writing programs.
Students must earn a grade of C or better in AWP-004B to satisfy the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement. If a grade of C or better is not earned, students are placed in AWP-003. Students cannot repeat the AWP-004A & 004B sequence.
Replaced AWP-002B. The 4 units earned in this course will count toward graduation units. Passing AWP-004B fulfills the ELWR.
DEI-Fulfilling Courses
We offer one lower-division and one upper-division courses to fulfill the undergraduate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Requirement (DEI).
AWP-010 & AWP-010R: Language and Learning in the American Academy
This analytical writing course provides students a critical lens through which they can explore, through writing, debates about identity, language, and learning in higher education. In this course, students engage in critical thinking, reading, and writing practices necessary for success in the American academy.
AWP-010R is a remote version of AWP-010.
AWP-010 offered after Winter 2019 fulfills the undergraduate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Requirement (DEI). AWP-010R also fulfills the DEI requirement. These courses CANNOT be used to fulfill the ELWR.
AWP-103: Writing About the Law
Students write about legal topics for a general audience. Students will examine the rhetorical strategies employed by various stakeholders in controversial Supreme Court cases. They will then weigh in, composing their own strategic arguments. Students will also make short multi-modal presentations to practice delivering what they have written. The intensive focus on writing and revising is especially useful for students who want to develop their writing.
AWP-103 fulfills the undergraduate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Requirement (DEI).
Upper Division Courses
We offer one upper-division course AWP-104 to fulfill the undergraduate Jane Teranes Climate Change Education Requirement (JTCCER).
AWP-100: Writing a Researched Argument
This course offers students intensive instruction in the critical and rhetorical practices necessary to craft strong, research-informed arguments. Students also make short multi-modal presentations to practice delivering what they have written. Course topics will vary.
AWP-101: Writing About Science
Students write about scientific topics for non-scientific audiences, engaging with current debates in the sciences, analyzing the rhetorical strategies employed, and composing rhetorically strategic responses of their own. Students also make short multi-modal presentations to practice delivering what they have written. The intensive focus on writing and revising is especially useful for students who want to develop their writing.
AWP-102 & AWP-102R: Writing for the Professions
Students use writing to explore and to create a professional identity. Assignments range from articulating the questions and problems that students hope to explore in their professional lives, to understanding the current conversations in their chosen professions, to fashioning resumes, cover letters, and presentations that declare what they hope to contribute professionally. The intensive focus on writing and revising is especially useful for students who want to develop their writing.
AWP-102R is a remote version of AWP-102.
AWP-104: Writing About Climate Change
Students assess the rhetorical strategies commonly employed in the climate change debate and develop the rhetorical tools that will enable them to communicate climate science effectively to a general audience. Students also make short multi-modal presentations to practice delivering what they have written. The course's intensive focus on writing and revising is especially useful for students who want to develop their writing.
AWP-104 fulfills the Jane Teranes Climate Change Education Requirement (JTCCER).
Discontinued Courses
These non-credit-bearing courses have been discontinued. We now offer credit-bearing AWP-003, AWP-004A, and AWP-004B in their place.
AWP-001: Analytical Writing
AWP-001 provides underprepared writers the opportunity to develop their critical thinking and writing abilities. At the end of AWP-001, students will produce a portfolio of work that will determine their readiness to enter the college writing programs. Passing AWP-001 fulfills the ELWR.
(Last offered in Summer 2020)
AWP-002A: Analytical Writing and Academic English A
AWP-002A is the first of a two-term course designed to offer students who need extra English language support the opportunity to develop their critical thinking and writing abilities over two terms. Students who enroll in AWP-002A are required to enroll in AWP-002B in the subsequent term.
Students who successfully complete AWP-002A will receive a grade of IP (In Progress) at the end of the term.
(Last offered in Spring 2020)
AWP-002B: Analytical Writing and Academic English B
AWP-002B is the second of a two-term course designed to offer students who need extra English language support the opportunity to develop their critical thinking and writing abilities over two terms. At the end of AWP-002B, students will produce a portfolio of work that will determine their readiness to enter the college writing programs.
Students must earn a grade of C or better in AWP-002A & 002B to satisfy the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement. If a grade of C or better is not earned, students are placed in AWP-001. Students cannot repeat the AWP-002A & 002B sequence. Passing AWP-002B fulfills the ELWR.
(Last offered in Fall 2020)
Updated 06/29/2026