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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;
  • 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 3 or a two-quarter sequence AWP 4A-4B.

AWP 3: Analytical Writing

AWP 3 provides underprepared writers the opportunity to develop their critical thinking and writing abilities. At the end of AWP 3, students will produce a portfolio of work that will determine their readiness to enter the college writing programs.

Replaced AWP 1. The 4 units earned in this course will count toward graduation units. Passing AWP 3 fulfills the ELWR.

AWP 4A: Analytical Writing and Academic English A

AWP 4A 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 4A are required to enroll in AWP 4B in the subsequent term.  

Replaced AWP 2A. Pass/Not Pass only. Students must earn a Pass to move on to AWP 4B. The 4 units earned in this course will count toward graduation units.

AWP 4B: Analytical Writing and Academic English B

AWP 4B 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 4B, 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 4B to satisfy the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement. If a grade of C or better is not earned, students are placed in AWP 3. Students cannot repeat the AWP 4A-4B sequence. 

Replaced AWP 2B. The 4 units earned in this course will count toward graduation units. Passing AWP 4B 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 10 & AWP 10R: 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 10R is a remote version of AWP 10.

AWP 10 offered after Winter 2019 fulfills the undergraduate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Requirement (DEI). AWP 10R can also fulfills the DEI requirement. These courses CANNOT be used to fulfill the ELWR. 

 We offer AWP 10R in Winter 2024. (Course flyer PDF.)

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

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.

Discontinued Courses

These non-credit-bearing courses have been discontinued. We now offer credit-bearing AWP 3, AWP 4A, and AWP 4B in their place. 

AWP 1: Analytical Writing

AWP 1 provides underprepared writers the opportunity to develop their critical thinking and writing abilities. At the end of AWP 1, students will produce a portfolio of work that will determine their readiness to enter the college writing programs. Passing AWP 1 fulfills the ELWR.

(Last offered in Summer 2020)

AWP 2A: Analytical Writing and Academic English A

AWP 2A 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 2A are required to enroll in AWP 2B in the subsequent term. 

Students who successfully complete AWP 2A will receive a grade of IP (In Progress) at the end of the term.

(Last offered in Spring 2020)

AWP 2B: Analytical Writing and Academic English B

AWP 2B 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 2B, 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 2A-2B to satisfy the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement. If a grade of C or better is not earned, students are placed in AWP 1. Students cannot repeat the AWP 2A-2B sequence. Passing AWP 2B fulfills the ELWR.

(Last offered in Fall 2020)