Coordinators of the University Writing Program at UC Davis are asking the campus and outside experts to engage in a broad discussion about the program's future direction.

Formerly the Composition Program within the English Department, the University Writing Program is now poised to become an independent academic unit within the College of Letters and Science.

Since this fall, under the interim direction of Professor Brenda Deen Schildgen, and Comparative Literature professor and Associate Director Gary Goodman, the program has been functioning semi-autonomously with an advisory board composed of faculty from across the university. The program originally developed its writing curriculum in the 1980s.

As part of developing the future of the new program, during winter quarter talks by three visiting composition experts are planned.

Major figures in composition studies, who are all recipients of prizes and grants for writing and teaching, these three outside speakers will act as consultants to facilitate campus discussion.

The first speaker, Lisa Ede, a professor of English and director of the Center for Learning and Writing at Oregon State University, will present a session Jan. 30 on "Situating Composition: Composition Studies and the Politics of Location." The session runs 10 a.m. to noon in 126 Voorhies.

Joseph Harris, a professor of English and director of The Center for Teaching, Learning and Writing at Duke University, will speak on Feb. 13. Christine Farris, professor of English and director of the composition program at Indiana University, is slated to speak toward the end of the quarter. The series was made possible by a permanent gift of Presidential Funds from the provost's office.