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 the student has done the reading and made a strong attempt to understand and engage with the literature. Student demonstrates ability to summarize, describe, and paraphrase texts, but fails to integrate upper level thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Student presents some good ideas, but fails to develop them fully.
“B” grade: Written work demonstrates thoughtful engagement with the assigned texts. The student shares insightful comments that show a clear understanding of the material. Student is able to discuss literature within the context of cultural analysis. The writing shows moments of upper level thinking, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. The 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. Student is able to link ideas in literature to concepts in other disciplines. Student demonstrates ability to integrate concepts, ideas, and principles. The writing shows a breadth and depth of understanding.
“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 the student has done the reading and made a strong attempt to understand and engage with the literature. Student demonstrates ability to summarize, describe, and paraphrase texts, but fails to integrate upper level thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Student presents some good ideas, but fails to develop them fully.
“B” grade: Written work demonstrates thoughtful engagement with the assigned texts. The student shares insightful comments that show a clear understanding of the material. Student is able to discuss literature within the context of cultural analysis. The writing shows moments of upper level thinking, such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. The 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. Student is able to link ideas in literature to concepts in other disciplines. Student demonstrates ability to integrate concepts, ideas, and principles. The writing shows a breadth and depth of understanding.
“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.
