Grading and Requirements

Assignment Type: Points Each Total Points Description:
12 Discussions 10 120 400-600 words each. You may omit 3 of the 15 total discussions without penalty.
1 Final Discussion 50 50 1000-1200 words long, reflecting your best thinking and writing.
8 Reading Quizzes 10 80 You may omit one of the 9 total quizzes without penalty.
Grand Total Total 250 I will convert your total points to a percentage. Your final grade is based on the following:
A+ 97% A 93 A- 90
B+ 87 B 83 B- 80
C+ 77 C 73 C- 70
D+ 67 D 63 D- 60
If you earned less than 60% you have failed the course.

    Grading Specifics

  1. No-fault grading system

    2. You may omit up to three discussions and one quiz without penalty. You do not have to provide excuses or paperwork, so use those omissions when illness or other problems arise. However, penalties arise thereafter, and, again, no excuses are accepted for excess missed assignments. Missing five total assignments lowers your final grade by a letter grade. Missing six or more total assignments fails you in the course. If you complete more than the required number of assignments, I will drop the lowest grades for discussions and/or quizzes.

  2. How to check your grades

    3. Check the WebCT Vista online gradebook. 10/10 is a superior contribution 9=A 8=B 7=C 6=D 5 or less indicates a discussion that needs serious improvement. 0=did not post or posted late. If I spot a significant weakness that needs immediate attention, I'll email you advice. Please note below the policy on missed assignments! Each of your longer essays will be returned to you with extensive comments and a numerical grade. Also check the "how to" page for other suggestions on improving your discussion grades.

  3. Complete assignments on time

    4. Late assignments are not accepted. Be certain that you have the time, time management skills, and commitment to stick with this course. Online discussions may not be posted late, because the purpose of the exercise is to interact with your fellow students You may submit assignments earlier if you wish.

  4. This is a history course, not a computing course

    5. It is your job to learn the essential course computing skills: navigating WebCT Vista and the course pages, locating online web pages, etc. However, I'll be happy to answer questions or to provide "live" tutorials to anyone who needs it. See me during office hours or make an appointment early in the semester. If you have problems accessing class pages, do let me know. For Vista problems, contact help@ncsu.edu.

  5. Be honest. Obey the University Honor Pledge

    6. "I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this test or assignment." Honesty is not an archaic concept; it is an essential trait of a decent, productive human being. I expect complete honesty of all students. I assume that you have lived up to the honor code in all assignments. Plagiarism on research projects [using the ideas or words of others without proper attribution] will result in a failing grade. Quote only primary sources (those from the historical time and place under study.) Never "appropriate" (steal) the words or ideas of others. Yes, I know that it is fashionable among politicians, Fortune 500 CEOs, but that does not make it right nor admirable. Always cite your sources, acknowledging where you get an idea or a phrase. It is very easy, using powerful search algorithms, to check plagiarism, especially of online or other electronic sources.

  6. Learn to follow rubrics

    7. I use "Rubrics," detailed explanations of assignment requirements, to evaluate your work in this course. Yes, it's ed jargon. Go to the Why Rubrics Page for an explanation of what they are and why they're a good idea for both learners and teachers.

  7. See your How to Page

    8. for instructions on formulating and submitting each type of assignment.

  8. Special Needs??

    9. I will make reasonable adjustments in course assignments to accommodate students with physical or learning disabilities documented by the NCSU Disability Services Office . I follow University guidelines regarding Disabled students. NC State is subject to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare regulations implementing Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section 504 provides that: "No otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States. . . shall, solely by reason of his handicap be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." Please have the Disability Services Office contact me before the semester begins so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
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