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Writing Center

University Writing Center Texas A&M University University Writing Center

HORT 315 Advanced Issues in Horticulture

College: Agriculture and Life Sciences
Department: Horticultural Sciences
Type: W
Status: Approved

REPORT ON RECERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: HORT 315

CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 9/1/24 to 9/1/28                  

We recommend that HORT 315 Advanced Issues in Horticulture 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) 64.8% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 4,500 (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:20; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.

HORT 315’s writing assignments consist of a mini-essay and four articles. For the final assignment, students select one of the four articles and revise it based on formative feedback for a new grade. Students workshop all five of the writing assignments with their peers, both giving and receiving three peer reviews on each assignment. Class time is devoted to writing instruction, and writing instruction is also provided through the peer review process.