First-Year Writing Program

First-year-writing courses at UIC are informed by the concept of situated writing—the view that writing is crafted in response to a particular situation, within a certain context, and for a specific audience, all of which influences the genres used and forms the writing takes. FYWP courses invite students to participate in ongoing public conversations about vitally important academic and public issues.

A student's ability to write—that is, to conceptualize, articulate, and craft a response or an argument—is crucial to a successful undergraduate education. All undergraduate students at UIC are required to take a two-semester series of first-year-writing courses: English 160 and English 161. Participation in a preparatory course is required for students whose placement tests indicate they would benefit from additional, focused writing practice before taking English 160.

Preparatory courses include English 150 (formerly English 070), which focuses on the needs of non-native speakers of English, and English 151 (formerly English 071), which focuses on developmental writing in preparation for English 160. Both preparatory courses feature smaller class sizes than English 160 and 161.

Course Waiver Portfolio Instructions

Information for TAs

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FYWP contact details

Director and FYWP Offices

Mark Bennett, Director
Office: University Hall 2001
Hours: M-Th 9:00-5:00
Phone: 312.413.2249
Email: mbenne2@uic.edu

Sarah Primeau, Associate Director
Office: University Hall 2003
Hours: M-F 9:00-5:00
Phone: 312.355.2776
Email: sprimeau@uic.edu

Offices: University Hall 2001, 2003, & 2005
Hours: M-Th 9:00-5:00, F 9:00-3:00
Main Phone: 312.413.2249
Email: comptalk@uic.edu

Mailing Address:

First-Year Writing Program
English Department M/C 162
University Hall, Room 2001
601 S. Morgan St. Chicago, IL 60607

FYWP Staff

Amanda Bohne, Assistant Director
Office: University Hall 2005
Phone: 312.413.2243
Email: abohne@uic.edu

Rana Awwad, Assistant Director
Office: University Hall 2005
Phone: 312.355.2776
Email: rawwad2@uic.edu