Mathematics 405, or Real Analysis 1, is a core course for mathematics majors, offered every semester with an average of 21 students. Teaching Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Mathematics Richard Brown is currently redesigning the course to be writing-intensive, creating a space for explicit focus on writing within the mathematics major.

Planned changes include: 

• Replacing exams with written assessments, including a mock-journal article to be peer reviewed by two classmates, a presentation on the topic of the journal article, a diary reflecting on the students’ learning processes, and weekly graded problem sets, of which the student chooses some problems to revise and resubmit in a final portfolio. 

• Setting aside time in lecture and section to present elements of mathematical writing, such as writing proofs and definitions and developing counterexamples, and for small-group activities that allow students to practice and receive formative feedback on these and other writing skills. 

To support the transition, the Math department will collaborate with the University Writing Program to provide summer training in writing and writing instruction to TAs and CAs. Plans for course assessment include student focus groups and a final exam that will evaluate students’ mathematical competency and writing skills in relation to results from previous semesters. 

We are including the full proposal submitted to CTEI’s Teaching Innovation Grant Program in hopes that it may be useful for others in the process of designing writing-intensive courses.