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Writing Center

University Writing Center Texas A&M University University Writing Center

PHIL 482 Ethics and Engineering

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

REPORT ON CERTIFICATION OF W COURSE: PHIL 482

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

We recommend that PHIL 482 Ethics and Engineering 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) 35% of the final grade is based on writing quality; (2) the total number of words is 4,200; (3) the instructor to student ratio is 1:20; and (4) the assigned writing is appropriate to the major.

PHIL 482’s writing component consists of Packback posts, a short paper, a research paper rough draft, and the final draft. Formative feedback is provided for later Packback posts via early Packback posts (there are eight total in the semester). For the short paper, students are able to apply instructor comments as formative feedback and resubmit; the instructor also comments on the rough draft, which counts as formative feedback for the final. Many partial recitation periods are devoted to writing instruction via TA lecture, along with models of good writing in the discipline. Students are also directed to writing resources provided by the UWC.