Your learning in this course will be evaluated in the following ways:

Writing:  60%

Preparation/Participation: 40%

Descriptions of the different writing assignments for this semester can be found on this website in the section on writing. You can expect to do a lot of writing and a lot of revising. Because much of the writing you do will be “in progress,” I will not put grades on individual assignments. Instead, I will provide feedback on drafts of blog posts and papers, in response to which you will revise them.  I will also periodically collect and respond to your informal writing.  Your final grade will be based on three writing portfolios, which will include selected examples of your work (usually a revised essay, your most recent blog posts, and some examples of informal writing), as well as a cover essay reflecting on your writing and learning to date.  For each of your writing portfolios, you will receive an estimate of your grade at that point.

Additional information about preparation and participation can be found on this website in the sections about Class Format and Reading.

In general, grades will be assigned according to the following criteria:

Writing

A:  Your portfolio is complete.  Your cover essay describes and reflects in some detail on your learning to date as represented by the contents of your portfolio.  The other work included exceeds expectations and requirements given in the assignments.

B:  Your portfolio is complete.  Your cover essay describes your learning to date as represented by the contents of your portfolio, and provides some (but not extensive) reflection and analysis.  The majority of other pieces in your portfolio demonstrate a solid working understanding of the expectations and requirements given in the assignments.

C:  Your portfolio is complete.  Your cover essay provides minimal description and little reflection or analysis of your portfolio writing and your learning to date.  The majority of other pieces included meet the minimum expectations and requirements given in the assignments or struggle to understand the material.

D:  Portfolio was incomplete.

F:  Portfolio was not submitted, or submitted late without advance notice and permission from me.

Participation

A:  You are a regular contributor to class discussion, active in small groups (your group works for the allotted time and stays on task), and an active participant on the course website (you comment regularly on others’ posts, and you have contributed substantive posts beyond the required 4).  You have no unexcused absences.

B:  On most days, you contribute to class discussion, and you are active in small groups.  While not a regular contributor to the website, you may have commented on your classmates’ posts.  You have no more than  than 2 unexcused absences.

C:   You only contribute to class discussion when called on and your responses when you’re called on demonstrate the minimum for preparation.   You are relatively quiet in small groups.  Basically, you’re attending class.  You have at least 3 absences.

D:  You do not voluntarily participate in class discussion, are silent in groups, and your responses when you’re called on reflect minimal to poor preparation and/or engagement.

F:  You have missed 5 or more class meetings.  (See Course Policies.)