Evaluation Procedures

Grading of participation: While it is true that we do many things here online, it still is not a virtual course--is not distance learning.   Class exists for you and because of you and depends upon your exchange of writing and ideas with others.   At the end the quarter you will grade your own participation using a percentage between 0 and 100.   I retain the right to override the grade you select for yourself if it is dramatically different from your actual class performance.   Here are some useful guidelines for arriving at your grade:
for showing up, 75% (C);

for showing up and demonstrating that you have viewed the films, read the texts, and prepared the written assignments (including peer reviews), 80% (C+/B-);

for fulfilling the conditions of the previous item as well as for sporadically engaging in discussion and other class activities, 85% (B);

for fulfilling the conditions of the previous item, the difference being that you engage actively and intelligently in every class session, demonstrating that you have viewed the films, read and understood the texts and the issues at hand (and of course have prepared the written assignments), 90% (B+/A-);

for fulfilling the conditions of the previous item, the difference being that you demonstrate a good understanding of the material, help advance the discussions by responding to others constructively (that is, following up on other people's ideas with thoughtful comments of your own), and generally helping make the class work well, 95% (A);

for demonstrably working towards a sound theoretical understanding of the issues, showing excellent comprehension of the material, and contributing in some outstanding way in terms of leadership or originality, 100% (A+).


Grading of papers: Your willingness to take the trouble to express yourself clearly, accurately, and forcefully will pretty much determine your grade.   Essays that have been composed too quickly will not be graded favorably.   Hastily written essays usually have not been proofread, contain careless errors and lapses in logic or continuity, and lack focus.
Grading of portfolios The purpose of the portfolio is to grade not individual pieces of writing but overall progress.   At the bottom of the final page of your "writing inventory" you will grade your entire portfolio using a percentage between 0 and 100.   I retain the right to override the grade you select for yourself if it is dramatically different from what your portfolio indicates.

Grading of oral presentations:   At the end of your talk, your listeners will grade your presentation using a percentage between 0 and 100.   I retain the right to override the grade your listeners select for you if it is dramatically different from your actual performance.   Here are some useful guidelines your audience will be using to arrive at your grade:   first, your organization of the material (the duration of the talk is not too long or too short, and the material is coherently presented and to the point);   second, your audibility (you must speak slowly, clearly, and loudly enough to be heard by everyone); and third, your eye contact with the audience (you repeatedly look at all of the people you are addressing).

Final course grade: I am looking for improvement in writing and analytical abilities as well as in your public speaking skills.   If you participate frequently in class discussion and make a sincere attempt to make yourself understood by your classmates during your oral presentation as well as a diligent effort to render your prose more clear, fluid, concise, concrete, accurate, and persuasive, the grade you want will follow.

I will arrive at a final grade by combining the grades from the essay assignments and general participation:
  • Informal writing (peer editing, newsgroup postings, and various in-class quizzes and writing assignments such as "the resume cover letter" and "the personal ad"): 10%


  • "Critical Review / Rhetorical Analysis": 10%


  • "'Yes' & 'Yes'" essays: 15%


  • "Source-based Argument": 35%


  • Participation in class discussion (you grade yourself): 10%


  • End-of-quarter oral presentation (your colleagues's grade for your talk): 10%


  • Quarter portfolio: 10%

After reading this section ("Grade policies") and the sections entitled "Conferencing" and "Course policies," go to the sign-in page to indicate that you have read them and accept their terms.

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  last modified: 09/25/00