In order to earn a degree at the University of Texas, one must earn all flag credits by completing the necessary courses that carry these flags. These are designed to refine our education in a way that prepares us best as functioning members of society by supplying us with a diverse selection of coursework.

With that being said, the Writing Flag is the only flag that is required more than once, depending on major. 

Given that these requirements are met, students making the time and financial contribution deserve more freedom of choice when it comes to class selection, because the main objective when earning a degree is to pursue the divine merit of specialization.

The core curriculum mandates that every student, regardless of academic path, complete 6 hours of History, consuming between 4%-10% of the semester hours taken per degree earned. On that premise, giving students the opportunity, (where warranted), to earn a writing flag synchronously will give students more liberty to optimize their classes towards the profession they are aspiring to flourish in!

 

The criteria needed for a class to satisfy the Writing Flag is as follows:

- Students must write regularly (several times during the semester) and complete writing projects that are substantial

- Students must receive feedback from the instructor to help them improve their writing, and be given an opportunity to revise at least one assignment

- Students’ writing must make up at least one-third* of the course grade.
*For three-or four-credit courses. For two-credit hour courses, at least one-half of the course grade should be based on Flag content. For one-hour credit courses, the whole course grade (100%) should be based on Flag content.

- Large lecture classes will typically not meet the requirements for the Writing Flag, because the instructor cannot provide adequate personalized, revision-focused feedback for every student. Under special circumstances, exceptions may sometimes be made for larger courses if they provide enough trained TAs to maintain a 25:1 or lower student/instructor ratio.

HIS 315L (The United States Since 1865) consists of the following:

- Weekly Response One-Page Essays, 3-Page Document Analysis Essays over the primary materials included with each lecture, with a precursor Document Annotation Assignment to ensure a high quality composition, and two 1200-word Writing Examinations, totaling 65% of the class grade.

- Assigned reading of 6 novels, as opposed to a textbook, for a more literary representative approach to the significance of how history is recounted.

- Prompt and critical literary feedback regarding professionality, with topic sentences, appropriate evidence, persuasive language, coherent arguments, passive voice, split infinitives, grammar, syntax, and
spelling from a selection of 6 teaching assistants as well as the professor. This includes the opportunity for thorough and comprehensive evaluations during office hours, or queries through email and/or direct messaging. 

 

It is evident that this course complies with the Writing Flag criteria, provides a substantial amount of writing experience for anyone enrolled, and is worthy of vindicating a student's ability to formulate ideas in writing! 

 

To those who are passionate about maximizing academic proficiency, take a moment to sign this petition! If you are a currently enrolled at UT, you may also submit an official petition to receive the flag credit for this course at any point in your college career through this link. 

https://ugs.utexas.edu/flags/students/petitions