How is writing used across the curriculum at Lone Star CyFair? We believe that writing enhances students’ critical thinking skills, helps them learn course material more deeply, and prepares them to excel in their future studies and careers. Professors in a variety of disciplines have shared their thoughts below:

Writing in Art

The Art Department hosts two types of classes: lecture and studio.

Writing in Art Lecture Classes

Writing in art lecture classes such as art appreciation and art history is fundamental to student learning in two ways: first, writing is often the primary method instructors use to evaluate student understanding, and, second, students learn disciplinary thinking and disciplinary vocabulary by writing about art. Students develop critical thinking by articulating critical perspectives on artworks through writing. In art lecture courses, students will visually analyze art they’ve seen in person at galleries and museums. Students will research and write formally about key art topics. Students will also write informally by writing short responses in class or blogging online. It is through writing that students both develop and demonstrate mastery of art appreciation and art history.

Writing in Studio Art Classes

While the focus of studio art classes such as drawing, design, ceramics, photography, and painting is producing art, studio art students will also write as a way of engaging with art and demonstrating mastery. Examples of studio writing assignments include artist statements, written critiques of their own or fellow students’ artworks, and short research papers. Writing in studio classes is often quite similar to the writing in art lecture courses; in other cases, studio writing involves an artist understanding their goals in a particular artwork or in their approach to their art in general.

Writing in Biology

In biology, students complete a variety of writing assignments designed to introduce and familiarize them with the technical writing used in the natural sciences. They learn to write concisely and use appropriate scientific vocabulary as well as organize their thoughts logically and coherently. Additionally, writing in biology expands critical thinking because most writing assignments require students to make connections and draw conclusions. Finally, as students become comfortable with scientific writing, they begin to easily comprehend scientific literature. The ability to understand and write scientific literature will go a long way in preparing biology students for their future careers.

Writing in Economics

Economics is a social science which studies how individuals, businesses, and governments allocate scarce resources for consumption, production, and distribution. The two branches of economics, microeconomics and macroeconomics, emphasize writing to improve critical thinking and understanding of economic theories and their assumptions. Writing also helps individuals comprehend the process of analyzing economic facts and principles. Research papers, PowerPoint presentations, discussion boards, and short essays are a few examples of writing in our economics classes.

Writing in History

Writing is important in history classes because it is the best way to communicate "what happened." History isn't just a collection of facts and events but pulling that information together to tell stories and understand how and why people and their worlds changed. Historical writing is about delving deeper into the causes and effects that shape those events. Historical writing, good storytelling, can take you anywhere, any major, any school, any job, and writing for history is another way to learn how to write for anything.

Writing in Philosophy

Writing is extremely important for both philosophers and writers. Whether it be in terms of the development of ideas for philosophers, or for writers to develop the logic of their thinking, philosophy finds its voice in the spoken and written word. Historically, philosophy has been written in every genre, and so philosophy has used every form of writing to express new ideas, whether they be dialogical, expository, meditative, poetic, analogical, or dialectical. Every course in philosophy therefore includes writing as a learning outcome. When students learn to write philosophically, they learn to make valid arguments that are clear, logical, clear of bias, and persuasive. The skill of thinking well is often best refined by learning to write well.

Writing in Political Science

Political science courses place great emphasis on the development of students' writing. Due to the nature of the discipline, some of the best ways to demonstrate mastery of political concepts, theories, and information is through writing. Writing also serves to nurture communication and critical thinking skills, where students become competent to summarize, synthesize, and analyze political content. Writing assignments in government classes can take many forms: research papers, Power Point presentations, legal briefs, bill proposals, amendment proposals, review of chapter, article, book or documentary, opinion or argumentative essays, discussion posts, exam essay questions, summary of podcast, lecture summary, and journaling of current events. Since in government courses students need to write constantly, practice contributes to improving their writing skills. With improved writing skills, students can be better thinkers and better communicators on a variety of political topics and question.