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Writing Center

University Writing Center Texas A&M University University Writing Center

PHIL 412 Seventeenth Century Philosophy

College: Arts and Sciences
Department: Philosophy and Humanities
Type: W
Status: Approved

REPORT ON RECERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: PHIL 412

CERTIFICATION PERIOD: 9/1/25 to 9/1/29                  

We recommend that PHIL 412 Seventeenth-Century Philosophy have reviewed a representative syllabus and have determined that the course meets or exceeds the following criteria: (1) 40% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 3,000; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:25; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.

PHIL 412’s individual writing component consists of an annotated outline and a term paper. Formative feedback is provided via instructor comments on the outline and an ungraded first draft. Students also present on their paper topics to the class and receive peer feedback. Two class periods are devoted to writing instruction and close textual reading, with a series of steps provided by the instructor to scaffold this skill for students.