Portfolios will be graded on your ability to demonstrate critical reading and critical thinking skills; the quality of your writing and ideas; and your ability to demonstrate you have achieved the learning objectives of the course.
“C” grade: Written work demonstrates that you have done the reading and made a strong attempt to understand and engage with the literature. You demonstrate the ability to summarize, describe, and paraphrase texts, but fail to integrate upper level thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. You present some good ideas, but fail to develop them fully.
“B” grade: Written work demonstrates thoughtful engagement with the assigned texts. You share insightful comments that show a clear understanding of the material. You are able to discuss literature within the context of cultural analysis. Your writing shows moments of upper level thinking, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Your writing is clear, concise, and mostly free of errors.
“A” grade: Short papers are clear, focused, and coherent. The writing is polished, free of errors, and sophisticated. The content demonstrates a clear understanding of the learning outcomes of the course and reflects an in-depth engagement with literature. The writing demonstrates upper level thinking (analysis, synthesis, evaluation) and a thoughtful approach to the content. The student offers new insights, makes perceptive points, and makes connections between the text and the dominant culture. You link ideas in literature to concepts in other disciplines. You demonstrate the ability to integrate concepts, ideas, and principles. Your writing shows a breadth and depth of understanding.You were able to communicate information to your audience in a way that was creative and original. You taught the class -- and the larger community -- something. You inspired us, excited us, engaged us.
“D” grade: Writing demonstrates no upper level thinking (analysis, synthesis, or evaluation) and illustrates a superficial approach to the text. Student shows no sign of growth in thinking. Writing is not clear, concise, or coherent. Writing contains errors in standard written English that interfere with understanding.
“F” grade: Papers missing or incomplete. Student shows little evidence of engagement with literature and has little to contribute to class discussion. Student shows little understanding of the assigned texts and does not demonstrate any grasp of the learning outcomes for the course.
“C” grade: Written work demonstrates that you have done the reading and made a strong attempt to understand and engage with the literature. You demonstrate the ability to summarize, describe, and paraphrase texts, but fail to integrate upper level thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. You present some good ideas, but fail to develop them fully.
“B” grade: Written work demonstrates thoughtful engagement with the assigned texts. You share insightful comments that show a clear understanding of the material. You are able to discuss literature within the context of cultural analysis. Your writing shows moments of upper level thinking, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Your writing is clear, concise, and mostly free of errors.
“A” grade: Short papers are clear, focused, and coherent. The writing is polished, free of errors, and sophisticated. The content demonstrates a clear understanding of the learning outcomes of the course and reflects an in-depth engagement with literature. The writing demonstrates upper level thinking (analysis, synthesis, evaluation) and a thoughtful approach to the content. The student offers new insights, makes perceptive points, and makes connections between the text and the dominant culture. You link ideas in literature to concepts in other disciplines. You demonstrate the ability to integrate concepts, ideas, and principles. Your writing shows a breadth and depth of understanding.You were able to communicate information to your audience in a way that was creative and original. You taught the class -- and the larger community -- something. You inspired us, excited us, engaged us.
“D” grade: Writing demonstrates no upper level thinking (analysis, synthesis, or evaluation) and illustrates a superficial approach to the text. Student shows no sign of growth in thinking. Writing is not clear, concise, or coherent. Writing contains errors in standard written English that interfere with understanding.
“F” grade: Papers missing or incomplete. Student shows little evidence of engagement with literature and has little to contribute to class discussion. Student shows little understanding of the assigned texts and does not demonstrate any grasp of the learning outcomes for the course.
