REPORT ON RECERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: GEOL 210

CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 1/1/24 to 1/1/28                  

We recommend that GEOL 210 Geological Communication 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) 61% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 4,100; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:20; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.

GEOL 210’s writing assignments consist of a number of take-home assignments (from the Rock/Mineral Description to the Cover Letter/Resume for a total of 55%), plus a draft and final copy of the research paper. The research paper draft and some of the take-home assignments will receive formative feedback from the instructor, and all assignments will be subject to peer review during class. Most class sessions will incorporate some writing instruction related to style or a specific assignment, with low-stakes in-class writing assignments meant to provide students with practice for larger assignments.