Critical writing seminars are small, innovative, discipline- and genre-based courses organized around a specific scholarly inquiry. These seminars focus on helping students improve their writing skills and each student is required to take one.
Critical Writing Seminars
Students fulfill the Writing Requirement by taking a critical writing seminar, and are strongly encouraged to do so during their first year.
- Seminars must be taken for a letter grade, not pass/fail.
- Seminars may not be used to fulfill any other College General Education Requirement.
Transfer Juniors and the Writing Requirement
Students who transfer to Penn as juniors are eligible to request transfer credit for a writing seminar. The Critical Writing Program’s website will help students determine how to fulfill the Writing Requirement and whether credit from a previous institution is likely to be applicable.