College: Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department: Animal Science
Type: W
Status: Approved
REPORT ON RECERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: ANSC 414
We recommend that ANSC 414 Sheep and Goat Production and Management be certified as a writing (W) course for four academic years (1/20 to 1/24). We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 27% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 4250; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:20; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
ANSC 414 is a 4-credit course. Two graduate assistants help with the course (4 sections of 20). Students work collaboratively on a project that is written up as a report. Individually, they write 2250 words for 20% of the final grade. These three assignments are combined to create the final report. All papers are peer reviewed and given further instructor feedback. Two class periods are devoted to time for writing in groups. Several lectures are devoted to writing topics such as how to peer review, with an emphasis on researched writing.