The purpose of this course is to enhance students' abilities to write in different genres, with an emphasis on developing a project involving research for a real-world audience. With readings and writing assignments drawn from a range of disciplines, the course prepares students for writing in a variety of contexts and supports their developing strategies for writing in various genres. In close consultation with the instructor, students will develop, investigate, draft, and refine a practical research project on a topic of relevance to their major. Throughout the semester, students will practice skills such as gathering information through library research, analyzing, and evaluating outside sources, integrating others' ideas into their own writing, and creating evidence-based arguments that contribute to the ongoing civic and/or academic conversations on their topic. The course will also further develop elements of the writing process: generating ideas, developing a thesis, supporting a thesis with evidence, seeking, and receiving feedback on work in progress, and revising and editing.