Grading

Specifications Grading Policy

Thanks to Prof. Mark Sample for the use of his Specifications Grading Outline, which I have modified. Source of original template: Mark Sample

Individual assignments for this course do not receive a letter grade. Instead, each assignment will be evaluated as either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Your work either meets the stated specifications or it doesn’t. Satisfactory does not mean merely passing the assignment (with a C grade). Satisfactory means you have succeeded in the assignment and demonstrated a firm understanding of the material and a solid execution of the instructions, as outlined for each assignment.

Major assignments have one level above Satisfactory, called Sophisticated. Sophisticated work demonstrates an excellent grasp of the material combined with originality and a superb sense of style and/or argument. 

Of course, I do assign a final grade that represents the quantity and quality of your work. Final grades consist of completing specific “bundles” work for the class, at the specified levels.

The A, B, and C Bundles

The A Bundle

  • Complete 100% of the daily readings and argument summaries. This includes making up the missed readings for all the days you are absent, including when it’s excused for illness, but please do not attempt to make up work until you are feeling well enough. You should try to make up work as close as possible to when it was originally due, within reason.
  • No more than one absence (not including absences excused for illness).
  • Complete the Contemporary Media Analysis, Feminist Mix Tape, Book Review, and Theory to Praxis assignments at the Satisfactory Level.
  • Either receive a Sophisticated as the first grade on the first two longer writing assignments (Media Analysis or Book Review) or revise one of these assignments according to the feedback on the rubric and re-submit for re-grading (no token needed).
    • Any student who receives an Unsatisfactory on any assignment will be allowed to revise and resubmit it after coming to office hours to discuss with me.
  • Complete at least 8 Peer Comments on the blog, spread across the semester, and not concentrated at the end.
  • Participate at least once weekly in both all-class discussion and in Social Media Sharing.
  • Turn in the final Self-Assessment.

The B Bundle

  • Complete at least 80% of the readings and argument summaries.
  • No more than three absences (not including those excused due to illness).
  • Complete the Book Review at the Satisfactory Level.
    • Any student who receives an Unsatisfactory on the Book Review will be allowed to revise and resubmit it after coming to office hours to discuss with me.
  • Complete the Contemporary Media Analysis, Book Review, and Theory to Praxis assignments at the Satisfactory Level. The Feminist Mix Tape assignment may be evaluated as Unsatisfactory or never completed.
    • Any student who receives an Unsatisfactory on any assignment will be allowed to revise and resubmit it after coming to office hours to discuss with me.
  • Complete at least 6 peer comments; they may be concentrated toward the end of the semester instead of spread out.
  • Participate at least once weekly, almost all the time, in either all-class discussion or in social media sharing.
  • Turn in the final Self-Assessment.

The C Bundle

  • Complete at least 70% of the readings and argument summaries.
  • Complete the Book Review at the Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory level.
  • Complete at least 2/3 of the following assignments at the Satisfactory Level: Contemporary Media Analysis, Book Review, and Theory to Praxis assignments. The Feminist Mix Tape assignment may be evaluated as Unsatisfactory or never completed.
    • Any student who receives an Unsatisfactory on any assignment will be allowed to revise and resubmit it after coming to office hours to discuss with me.
  • Complete at least 2 peer comments at any point in the semester.
  • Participate irregularly in all-class discussion or in social media sharing.
  • Turn in the final Self-Assessment.

Pluses and minuses (A-, B+, etc.) will be used when your work falls in between bundles. For example, if you fall just short of the A Bundle specifications by missing a comment or your participation in class is slightly lower than the standard, you’d receive an A-. If your work does not meet the requirements for a C grade, the grade will be in the D or F range.

Tokens

Each student may earn up to two tokens, which they can turn in in order to:

  • Strike one unexcused absence from the record.
  • Strike the impact of a second unexcused absence from your record.
  • Erase the impact of peer comments clustered toward the end of the semester.
  • Erase the impact of inconsistent participation in class or in the social media sharing assignment.

Token Opportunities

Attend a Related Talk
    • Attend one of the lectures I post on social media sharing and/or email. Alternatively, you may email me a lecture (virtual or IRL) that you think could count, for my approval.
    • Post a 300 word reflection on the content of the talk, what you learned and/or questioned, what connections, including conflicts and tensions, you found between the lecture/talk/webinar content and course readings. 
    • Categorize this post in the “Tokens” category on the blog.
    Diet Culture Diary
    • Check out Virgie Tovar’s Diet Culture Diary and write a 300 word blog post in the same style, documenting a few days’ worth of encountering diet culture in your daily life. 
    • Categorize this post in the “Tokens” category on the blog.
    No-Product Day Reflection
    • Write a 300 word blog post responding to the reflection questions at the end of the No-Product Day Challenge.
    • Categorize this post in the “Tokens” category on the blog.
    Note-Taking (3 positions available)
    • Volunteer to take the notes or designate your peer as the note-taker each day.
      Keep the notes organized and respond to any student comments on the document.
    • Include a brief reflection (50+ words) on the process of managing the class notes in your Final Self-Assessment.