The Department of Writing is the home of UAA’s Written Communication General Education Requirements (GERs), pre-GER developmental coursework in academic writing and reading, and related support classes for multilingual students.

Vision

The University of Alaska’s writing courses cultivate relational, dynamic spaces for inquiry and self-discovery. Our programs encourage students to engage in writing within the context of place-based experience—acknowledging cultural, geographic, and community-specific complexities as rich sources. 

Values

Our relational approach invites students into a broader exploration of how language can both connect and divide. By dwelling in process, our courses frame writing as a site for learning and curiosity, where students locate themselves in scholarly and community conversations as they participate in the making of meaning and grow to understand the power of their words. 

Pedagogy

Such processes take time, and writing development spans years as the demands of literacy continue to climb. Our courses offer students strategies for cultivating a reflective writing practice that includes reading, discussion, collaboration, and revision. We invite students into writing as a joyful practice where they can experiment without fear of harsh judgment, try on multiple perspectives, and develop an awareness of language variety. Students learn to navigate and contribute meaningfully to personal, professional, and community conversations, while developing the facility to respond confidently to new writing situations. 

Contact Information

UAA Department of Writing
Administration/Humanities Building, Suite 103
3211 Providence Dr
Anchorage, AK 99508
907-786-6856