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Writing Center

University Writing Center Texas A&M University University Writing Center

FILM 481 Seminar in Film Studies

College: Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts
Department: Performance Studies
Type: W
Status: Approved

REPORT ON CERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: FILM 481
 
CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 1/1/23 to 1/1/27      
 
We recommend that FILM 481 Seminar in Film Studies be certified as a writing (W) course. We have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 50% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 3000; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:16; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.
 
In all versions of this seminar students write a term paper that is given written instructor feedback and peer review on a draft. They also write paper proposals and outlines that are checked by the instructor. Each week students get instruction via a “writing lab” portion of the class that helps them better understand how to make an argument in writing. Instruction is supplemented with sentence-level work from Joseph Williams’ Style: Lessons on Clarity and Grace.