Writing happens everywhere, inside and outside of class. What’s different about all Writing & Communication (FA1) courses across the disciplines is that discussing, practicing, and reflecting on the writing process are integrated into the work of the course itself, from what you do in class to how you engage with the course material. 

Krieger students fulfill these Writing & Communication (FA1) requirements to earn the bachelor’s degree: 

• Reintroduction to Writing, as part of the First-Year Foundation

• 6 Writing & Communication credits in your major  

• 9 additional Writing & Communication credits (you’ll find FA1 courses across the Krieger School; browse advanced UWP courses).

Types of Courses

Reintroduction to Writing

The UWP curriculum begins with Reintroduction to Writing, which is required of all Krieger students and open to Whiting students as well.

Advanced UWP courses

Our advanced courses build on the work of Reintro: we continue to approach writing as an adaptable process of inquiry and action, as deeply informed by reading, and as reflective, embodied, and always emerging.  We center these classes around different approaches to writing:  

• On Genres  
• Writing Methods  
• Place-Based Writing 
• Special Topics in Writing  
• Community-Engaged Writing

Writing & Communication (FA1) courses across the disciplines

You’ll find FA1 courses across Krieger departments and programs. To find out more about how they overlap with other Foundational Abilities, visit the undergraduate education page. All Writing & Communication (FA1) courses include:

• Multiple substantial writing projects, ranging from traditional papers to a wide variety of other forms, distributed throughout the semester  
• A mix of high and low stakes writing, meaning that students have the chance write in informal, low-pressure – even ungraded – contexts, as well as producing larger, more formal assignments  
• Direct engagement with writing in the classroom, including class discussions, workshop, faculty/TA lectures, and class materials (for instance, strong and weak examples of the assigned genre)  
• Expectations that are conveyed clearly through assignment descriptions, including the genre and audience of the assigned writing, and evaluative criteria  
• Feedback to students on their writing, in written and/or verbal form, from faculty, teaching assistants, and/or peers  
• At least one opportunity to revise 

Transferring Writing & Communication (FA1) Credit 

If you have taken courses at other institutions and had them accepted at JHU for transfer credit, you can request that they be considered for FA1 credit. You can transfer up to 6 FA1 credits.  

New transfer students: Please upload requests before July 1. Current students: Please upload requests by September 30 for it to be considered in time for spring registration; likewise, by February 15 to have a response in time for fall registration.