How You Will Be Evaluated

COURSE INFO. DOCUMENT by: Bob Hassenger
Subject: How You Will Be Evaluated

Final Course Evaluation

Final course evaluation will be based on the following percentage weight of each type of Learning Activity


Participation in Course Discussion Area	35%
Written Assignments (4)	65%

Total	100%

The numerical average of the four groups of grades will determine your final course grade:
90-100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
60 - 69 = D
59 and under = F

How Each Learning Activity will be Evaluated

I'm not persuaded that the types of assignments that I set lend themselves readily to quantitative evaluation. It is important that you be clear about my use of terms, in the discussions and assignments:

Define Give the meaning of a concept, distinguish it from related concepts;
Explain Interpret; make clear; tell the meaning of;
Discuss Consider from various points of view or perspectives;
Compare Bring out points of similarity;
Contrast Bring out points of difference;
Analyze Break down a complex whole iinto its component parts, for the purpose of explaining relationships;
Evaluate Appraise, judge, list strengths and weaknesses;
Critique An appraisal, usually at least somewhat critical. This is a noun, not a verb.

With thanks to Regents (now Excelsior) College, The University of the State of New York, from whose Guide for Question Writers for the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Program this has been adapted.

I will be using the following specific criteria to evaluate your written assignments and discussion postings:

Hierarchy of Evaluation Categories From the Vermont Portfolio Project (Vermont State Department of Education, 1991).

Exceptional Achievement: The student produces convincingly argued evaluation or proposal; identifies a subject, describes it appropriately, and asserts a judgment of it; gives reasons and specific evidence to support the argument; engages the reader immediately, moves along logically and coherently and provides closure; reflects awareness of reader's questions or alternative evaluations. Assignment demonstrates extensive mastery of facts, skills, and concepts, including concepts from different readings and authorities whose ideas are examined. Writing quality in terms of grammar, punctuation, usage, structure, etc., as well as reader engagement is excellent. Evidence of originality, creative thinking. Evidence of mastery of course content --- including readings and other resources.

Commendable Achievement: The student produces well-argued evaluation; identifies, describes, and judges its subject; gives reasons and evidence to support the argument; is engaging, logical, attentive to the reader's concerns; is more conventional or predictable than the writer of an exceptional assignment. Evidence of mastery of course content.

Adequate Achievement: The student produces adequately argued evaluation; identifies and judges its subject; gives at least one moderately developed reason to support the argument; lacks the authority and polish of the writer of an exceptional or commendable assignment; produces writing that, although focused and coherent, may be uneven; usually describes the subject more than necessary and argues a judgment less than necessary. Less evidence of mastery of course content. Weak in terms of analysis, dealing conceptually and critically with ideas.

Source: Vermont State Department of Education (1991). This is My Best: Vermont’s Writing Assessment Program. Montpelier, VT: Vermont State Department of Education.

Receiving a Final Evaluation

Courses at Empire State College are not graded. You receive a narrative evaluation identifying what and how well you learned, based upon the course's criteria for evaluation. If you need a grade equivalent (e.g., if your employer requires a grade for tuition reimbursement), notify your instructor at the start of the term and remind him or her toward the end so that a grade equivalent will be included on your evaluation.

There's usually some processing time between the time you complete the course and receive a copy of the final evaluation. If you need the evaluation quickly (to meet a reimbursement schedule at work, for example), please notify your instructor.

Your Narrative Course Evaluation will include the following statements:

PURPOSE: This course explored some of the social changes, and their effects, during the second half of the Twentieth Century, that will have the most significant impact on the lives of Americans during Twentieth-First Century. The focus throughout has been on the mutual dependence upon, yet the tension between, the individual and the community.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES: Students read Ehrenhalt's The Lost City; Bellah et al.'s Habits of the Heart; and Barber's Jihad Vs. McWorld. They also contributed regularly to the on-going discussions, throughout the course, and these discussions were an essential component of the course.

METHOD AND CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION: There were four written assignments during the course. In evaluating these, and in the discussions, the faculty member looked for evidence that the student: 1) understood the relationship between fundamental cultural values and social change; 2) could explain how social change affected these values; 3) could discuss how cultural values affect he behavior of individuals; 4) was able to explore how social change would have a differential impact on those with different life circumstances (e.g., educational level, type of occupation, lifestyle, etc.).