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What we do

RWC strategic goals:

  • To serve a larger, more diverse student clientele; to create a Reading/Writing Center truly for “all Augustana students."
  • To serve the campus as a laboratory for better understanding student academic need and development as well as for increasing proficiency in pedagogical best practices.
  • To articulate and promote high-impact learning experiences associated with peer tutoring.
  • To help students and faculty negotiate multivocal ways of expressing ideas in their academic writing.

In addition to providing walk-in tutoring appointments in writing and reading, the Reading/Writing Center offers several other services for students and faculty.

Courses for credit

The RWC offers students two one-credit tutorials on strategies for college success. Contact Lucas Street, 309-794-8043, to learn more.

  • ENGL-101, Introduction to College Discourse, is recommended for first-year students; it allows students to learn about and practice the kinds of skills, strategies, and ways of thinking required in college-level academic situations.  Readings, assignments, and written reflections are designed to enable students to grow in five areas of learning: Self-confidence and independence; college-level skills and strategies; knowledge and understanding; language; and self-reflection.  Permission of instructor required.
  • ENGL-201, Critical Strategies for College Discourse, is designed for sophomores or students who have completed ENGL-101.  This course is offered as a guided independent study in research methods for liberal arts classes.  It covers processes of inquiry, critical reading, research, reasoned evaluation and written expression.  Permission of instructor required.

Writing fellows

Faculty may request Writing Fellows for their First-Year Inquiry (FYI) classes. Writing Fellows are current RWC tutors who act as experienced mentors to the students and assist their transition to college-level writing.

Writing Fellows primarily serve as interested readers of drafts and respond with questions and instruction designed to help writers re-think, re-focus, and clarify their writing.

Workshops

The RWC offers workshops for students and faculty.  Workshops for students often take place in residence halls to make it convenient for students to attend.

Topics have included "Take Your Paper to the Next Level," "I've Got You in My Cites," "The Care and Feeding of Faculty," and "Reading at the Speed of Coursework."