How is my grade calculated?
What is the grading scale for this class?
Is there extra credit?
If I get a grade I’m displeased with can I redo the work?
What’s the most important thing for me to do to get a B+ or higher in this class?
I’m confused or concern about my grade, what should I do?
How is my grade calculated?
In Class Participation [20 %]
punctual attendance (50%)
active listening& contribution to discussion (25%)
presentation grade (25%)
Out of Class Participation [20%]
timely completion of weekly posts (50 %)
timely, thoughtful, and thorough participation in peer review (25 %)
readings and quizzes (25%)
Close Reading Paper [20 %]
Timely completion of all pre-draft assignments (i.e. assignments listed under the “Paper” column in the syllabus) (20%)
Rough draft grade from peers (10%)
Final draft grade by professor (70%)
“School Isn’t Everything” Project [40 %]
Group Project Grade (60%)
Your Individual Evaluation Grade (tabulated from group, individual, and professor evaluation sheet) (40%)
notes:
1- Rubrics for Individual assignments are located under assignments.
2- I will provide a provisional grade for some pre-paper and pre -project assignments. These grades are meant to help you understand where you are, but I do not factor them into the final grade. However if your graded drafts do not demonstrate that you have heeded the feedback, you should not reasonably expect your draft grade to be higher than the provisional grade.
What is the grading scale for this class?
92-100—A
90-91—A-
87-89—B+
82-86—B
80-81—B-
77-79—C+
72-76—C
70-71—C-
60-69—D
<60—
Is there extra credit?
Yes. You may contribute up to two extra posts for extra credit in this course. Also I usually ask students to complete an evaluation (separate from the Baruch one) for my own use; I do provide extra credit for the completion of this evaluation.
If I get a grade I’m displeased with can I redo the work?
Certain assignments cannot be made up like quizzes or check-ins. While the post will be late, I will technically accept posts up until the reading period for the semester. Final projects cannot be made up. Your two individual papers may be partially revised on a case by case basis. If you think you are a good candidate for revision, you must contact me no later than two days after you received your grade. If I grant permission for a revision, we will work out a revision plan and date, which will then be non-negotiable. I take the highest grade [I do not average paper grades.]
What’s the most important thing for me to do to get a B+ or higher in this class?
Well the two most important things are to 1) come to class on time and 2) complete all the assignments on time.
1) You’ll notice that coming to class is 50 percent of your participation grade, and the chances are if you are in class, you’ll manage to actively listen and contribute to discussion as well. Also the pop quizzes are not things you can make up; they will be at the beginning of class, so if you’re late you might miss out. These quizzes aren’t worth a significant amount, but they tend to be the kind of things that help high B students tip over to the B+ and A- realm.
2) Take a look at the rubrics for the grading assignment, timely completion is a factor in all the grades. Of course, you have to use your own good judgement. If you are stuck between turning the assignment 1 day late but having it be complete and well done vs turning it in on time and being in complete with no citations, you should elect to be late, and you should let me know. In general though, you want to do the whole assignment (as detailed, include all of the parts, answer all of the questions), and turn it in on time.
These are the two most important things. It’s also helpful to know your strengths. If you’re not good with long assignments then make sure you do really well with your posts (they are worth the same amount as the 5 page binary paper).
Ultimately though there’s no formula. If you are deeply concerned about your grade or confused about how the grading works, you should talk to me. Please note though, I will not entertain grade-grubbing conversations. If you are concerned about how grades are computed that’s fine. If you are concerned with how you can improve your paper, that’s fine. If you are trying to negotiate with me about your grade, Not Fine.
I’m confused or concern about my grade, what should I do?
If you are deeply concerned about your grade or confused about how the grading works, you should talk to me. Please note though, I will not entertain grade-grubbing conversations. If you are concerned about how grades are computed that’s fine. If you are concerned with how you can improve your paper, that’s fine. If you are trying to negotiate with me about your grade, Not Fine.