Writing Enhancement Program
Department of Anthropology, Geography and Sociology
Adopted 04-24-2014
While the department encourages student writing assignments in all upper-division courses,
the department by means of the present policy intends to ensure that all its majors are given an
opportunity (1) to improve their writing in their major field and (2) to produce a portfolio of
writing samples useful for admission to graduate school and/or employment in a major-related
occupation.
Required Portfolio Writing Products
Anthropology
Geography and Sustainable
Community Development
 Anthropology-specific
 Review of Literature
research paper
 Geography-specific or
 Data Analysis Report
Sustainability-specific
research paper
 Application of Theory to
Contemporary Issue
 Personal Skills/Interests
Assessment
Courses Requiring Portfolio Writing
Anthropology
Geography and Sustainable
Community Development
 Professional Seminar
 all upper-division
(SOC310)
sustainability courses
(SUS) and all upper Data Analysis (SOC379)
division geography
 Classical Theory
courses (GEO) excluding
(SOC471)
the geographic
 Capstone (SOC495)
techniques courses
 other courses at
instructor’s discretion
Sociology and Gerontology




Sociology-specific
research paper
Data Analysis Report
Application of Theory to
Contemporary Issue
Personal Skills/Interests
Assessment
Sociology and Gerontology





Professional Seminar
(SOC310)
Data Analysis (SOC379)
Classical Theory
(SOC471)
Capstone (SOC495)
other courses at
instructor’s discretion
Guidelines for Portfolio Writing Assignments:
 Some in-course instruction in writing methods is provided.
 Students have an opportunity to revise based on instructor’s comments on initial draft.
 Minimum number of words written by students during course is left to instructor’s
discretion.
 Minimum percentage of course grade determined by writing assignments is left to
instructor’s discretion.