Grading

Grading

Grade definitions Grading system Cheating Missing or late work

What is an A? a B? a C?

Grades are not based on effort. Instead, they are based on actual performance. (When you choose a doctor or an auto mechanic, you don't care if they tried hard when they were in school. You care whether they know what they are doing.)

A	A grade of "A" means that the work is judged to be of exceptionally high quality, going well beyond what is needed to be minimally acceptable. "A" level work shows originality, depth of thought, factual accuracy, good logic.
B	A grade of "B" means that the work is judged to be of high quality, going well beyond what is needed to be minimally acceptable. "B" level work shows some of the same good qualities as "A" level work, but not as consistently, or to the same extent. (Maybe lacks originality, and is less deep, although accurate and logical as far as it goes, for example.)
C	A grade of "C" means that the work is acceptable--that is, it meets the basic standard of college level work in terms of relevance, factual accuracy, and logic. "C-" work is at the the minimum acceptable level.
D	A grade of "D" means that the work does not meet the standards for acceptable college level work, but it does exhibit some positive qualities that indicate that it deserves some credit for having been done.
F	A grade of "F" means that the work is so weak that it does not earn college level credit, or the work was not completed at all.

General description of the grading system

Each discussion Section has its own grading system, but all of them fit within the general constraints laid out in the course syllabus, found in the packet.

The overall course grade is based on total points earned during the semester. Points are earned in three ways:

Longer written projects -- three of these, each maybe six or seven pages in length. Worth 25 points each.
Attendance in the main lectures. 4 points possible.
Written answers to study questions, quizzes, and other similar short projects. These will occur very frequently. 21 points possible.

The overall final course grade will be determined as follows:

It is not possible to predict exactly how many items there will be in category (3). So, each one will be awarded temporary points individually based on quality of performance. The resulting number of temporary points possible on all these items by the end of the term will probably not be exactly 21. The temporary points will therefore be converted into real points by prorating at the end of the term. For example, if there are 25 temporary points possible on all study questions, quizzes, and so forth, then each temporary point turns out to be worth 21/25 th's of a real point, so that 25 temporary points will be converted into 21 real points. The aim is to have exactly 21 points possible for this category of course activity.

Final grades will be based on the total points earned, using this scale:

A	85 points
B	64 points
C	44 points
D	27 points

Since there are 100 points possible, this may look like a very lenient scale. In practice, the grading will not be at all lenient, because it will be easy to lose points on the essays. A better sense of what it takes for a high grade can be obtained by reading the grade definitions at the top of this page. If you want a high grade, make sure to bolster your point total by good attendance and consistent completion of all study question sets and quizzes.

Plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty can nullify the entire grading system described above, for students involved. Such cases will be dealt with in accord with university policy, and can result in a student's failing the entire course, or even being dismissed from the university.

Policies about missing or late course work

Quizzes or other assignments written in class must be turned in during the relevant class. No make-ups are allowed for any reason, except for students who are absent because they are required to attend a previously scheduled and approved officially-sanctioned university event, and who have previously notified the instructor that they will be absent for that reason. Students who do not make arrangements in advance are out of luck. There will be a number of quizzes that fall into this category. There may be some extra assignments a student can complete in order to make up for missed quiz points due to illness. Ask, if this affects you.

Written assignments each come with a deadline, posted on the Assignments page. After the deadline they are not routinely accepted for credit. (Written assignments are intended to support student learning as the class progresses. It makes no sense to try to make them up three weeks late. In the event of a serious need for a student to be absent for an extended period, special arrangements will have to be worked out, if possible.)

Unless a student obtains permission to turn in the work late, items will not be accepted after the due date. To get permission to be late, the student needs to have a reasonable excuse, and to make definite arrangements with the instructor.

If you have a documentable disability that requires a special accommodation in this course, contact the Disability Concerns office right away to make arrangements through them.