Portfolio Frequently Asked Questions

What is the portfolio requirement?

Portfolios are submitted several months before a students begins his/her FINAL semester at CSUCI, as a prerequisite to admission into Capstone. English majors will keep a portfolio of work produced from their required courses and electives. You may consult your advisor for assistance in developing the portfolio.

Why does CSUCI require me to submit a portfolio?

• It is a means of assessing the overall knowledge and skills you have gained as an English major, in lieu of an examination.
• It indicates gaps in your coursework that can be filled through the Capstone project.
• It is a valuable record you may find useful for employment and graduate school applications.
• It will help the English program assess the quality of its curriculum.

How do I submit my portfolio so that I can register for Capstone?

You must make an appointment with the Capstone professor the semester before you graduate (see Important Dates and Deadlines ).

Currently, we have two Capstone courses: English: Literature and Writing (contact Professor Joan Peters ) and one for English Education (contact Professor Mary Adler).

During your appointment, the Capstone professor will accept your portfolio and briefly discuss your readiness for Capstone. Then she/he will forward your portfolio to a committee of English faculty members for evaluation. Following evaluation, she/he will contact you with the results.

What preconditions are there

You must be entering your FINAL semester at CSUCI.
Your portfolio must be submitted on time (November 15 for spring; April 15 for fall) unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Please place your materials in a double pocket folder (do not attach the papers to the folder).
A clean copy (ungraded, unmarked) is required after Spring 2008.
The portfolio must include contact information (name, Dolphin email, telephone).

What does an acceptable CSUCI portfolio include?

_____Five papers, showing variety in topics, including literature, writing, and research.
_____At least one paper from an interdisciplinary GE course
_____At least three papers from CSUCI English core upper division courses.
_____Ungraded copies included only.
_____Cover sheets included for each paper
_____Contact information for you (your name, Dolphin email address, and telephone number)
_____Papers are from courses whose grades average a B (or program approval)
_____2.0 minimum overall grade point average
_____Substantive, accurate reflective statement showing growth over time (500-700 words). Click here to view sample reflective essays. Consider the following questions in writing your statement: How has my knowledge changed since I started the English major? How has my writing ability developed over time in the program? Examples? What gaps in my knowledge would I like to pursue during my Capstone experience?
_____Effectiveness in written expression, including appropriate use of English grammar and usage conventions
_____ A list of courses taken for the major, or a transcript.

What format should I use for my portfolio?

Please place your materials in a double pocket folder (do not attach the papers to the folder). Each paper should have a cover sheet attached. On the portfolio cover or first page, provide us with your contact information: name, Dolphin email address, and telephone number. A clean copy (ungraded, unmarked) is required after Spring 2008.

How is my portfolio assessed?

Your portfolio will be reviewed by your Capstone instructor for the preconditions and evaluation criteria. After your portfolio has been reviewed for your entry into Capstone, it will be reviewed a second time for program review purposes. This review may also turn up gaps in your work that suggest a particular focus or emphasis for your Capstone project. After this review, your portfolio will be returned to the Capstone instructor, who will notify you by telephone or email. If your portfolio is acceptable, you will receive a registration number for Capstone.

What happens if the portfolio is not accepted?

If your portfolio is not yet acceptable but is within range of the acceptable criteria, you will be admitted to Capstone and you will use that semester to gather the remaining material you need to complete your portfolio. If your portfolio is not within range of the criteria, you will receive a clear outline of the steps you need to take in order to qualify for the Capstone course.