As part of Occidental College's general Writing Program, all psychology majors must submit a portfolio of their
writing samples to the department. The writing samples are evaluated
primarily to determine whether students pass Occidental College’s departmental writing requirement. The psychology department also uses the
portfolios to assess how our curriculum and teaching are reflected in students' collective development as writers.
Writing Portfolio Submission Form
Basic Departmental Criteria
- Student can write clear, succinct papers following basic writing principles and using proper grammar.
- Student can select appropriate research materials.
- Student can summarize accurately and evaluate theory and research critically, making sensible judgments about the quality of published literature, including specific features of research designs and statistical analyses.
- Student can integrate concepts across the sub-disciplines within psychology, and, to some extent, integrate his/her foundation in psychology with other disciplines.
- Student can demonstrate an understanding of diversity between individuals, groups, or species, and can use psychological concepts and principles to explain how that diversity relates meaningfully to an issue of social justice and/or well-being.
- Student can format papers in proper APA style. For more information about APA style in Oxy student papers, refer to the departmental webpage on APA style or the American Psychological Association’s Publication Manual.
Portfolio Submission Requirements
You will need to gather papers written in past psychology courses. Specific instructions for assembling and submitting your
portfolio of writing samples are contained in the Writing Portfolio Submission Form.
This PDF file can be filled out electronically, or printed and completed by hand. The completed form should be submitted with your
portfolio to your faculty advisor.
The collective set of papers in your portfolio should meet the following requirements:
- Contains a total of at least 20 full pages of written text (excluding title pages, references, figures, appendices, etc.).
- Includes at least one sample that is at least 8 full pages of written text in APA style.
- Contains a “integrative” writing sample that integrates material across 2 or more subdisciplines in psychology OR across 2 or more levels of analysis within psychology.
- Contains a “diversity” writing sample that explains the nature of differences between individuals, groups of people, or species and how those differences affect an issue of social justice and/or well-being.