grading

percentages

The grade for the class will be determined based on the following assignments. You can keep track of your grade using the course Blackboard site.

• quizzes and in-class writing (10%)
• "What’s in a Name?" personal essay assignment (10%)
• "Sex Work or Exploitation?” persuasive essay assignment (10%)
• midterm exam on "The Case for Reparations" (10%)
• five steps leading up to research paper assignment (15%)
• final research paper (20%)
• departmental final exam (text tba) (25%)

where to find grades

It's a good idea to keep track of your grades as you get your work back, but grades are also posted regularly in Blackboard, or, you can ask the professor. 

understanding your grade

Always read the comments on your paper; in her comments, the professor offers personal insight into what you're doing well and where you might improve. If you want a more detailed explanation, please come during office hours or make an appointment to see the professor; she's always happy to explain your grade and help you improve your writing. In general, this class relies on the grading standards established by the Bronx Community College English department for English 11 and beyond. Following is an abbreviated version of the standards.

A--An essay graded “A” excels in both content and style.
B--An essay graded “B” responds to the topic with engaging and interesting ideas.
C--An essay graded “C” displays a satisfactory response to the assignment; a “C” is not a penalty grade.
D--An essay may be graded “D” for a variety of reasons.
F--An essay may be graded “F” for any one or more of the following reasons: lacks thesis; displays no clear logical pattern; may lack complexity; may be repetitive; or, may be unduly brief.

To learn more, download full descriptions.

no grade--As a rule, the professor does not give "F" grades; it's usually just not helpful. If an assignment doesn't meet requirements or otherwise needs more work to meet minimum standards for a "D" grade or higher, she typically marks the paper with comments and writes "no grade" at the top. The student is encouraged to revise the assignment based on the comments and after seeing the professor one-on-one and/or working with a tutor at BCC's free walk-in Writing Center. The revised paper is then brought to office hours for regrading. "F" grades are typically reserved for assignments plagiarized or not submitted.

ungraded work

In-class writing and the five steps leading up to the research paper will be marked with a check ✔ (full credit), a check-plus ✔+  (full credit, outstanding work), or a check-minus ✔- (partial credit). Your grade for this work will be determined by an automatic calculator in Blackboard (log in through CUNY Portal). If you complete all of this work in a satisfactory manner, the overall grade for this part of the class will be an A or A+. (There will usually be a quiz at the beginning of class on days that assigned reading is due.) Earning an “A” for this work is easy: arrive on time for every class, do all assigned readings before class, complete all steps of the research project conscientiously, and you'll be all set.

grading of individual assignments

Each assignment will be marked with a letter grade and with comments and suggestions for correction/improvement. If you revise your work, you may earn a higher grade.

attendance grade

There is no grade for attendance or participation. However, your active presence in class and the extent to which you engage in the intellectual community are likely to have a direct impact on the quality of the work you submit for a grade. Absences are therefore likely to result in lower grades; excessive absences may result in a “WU” grade. (Also, please try really hard not to be late.)

grading philosophy

The professor cares much more about learning than about grades, but she knows that most people rely on grades to help move the learning process along, so she does her best to grade things fairly and accurately. She wants every student to get the highest possible grade for the course--that makes students feel successful as learners, but it also helps the professor feel successful as a teacher! Except for serious emergencies (or, private arrangements made in advance with the professor), assignments not handed in on time will be assigned a grade of "F"; this grade will not be changed. Any assignment submitted on time can be revised and brought to office hours for re-grading; improved grades on revised assignments will replace lower grades.

extra credit

Extra credit work is not encouraged; rather, students are urged to do all the assigned work for the course in a timely way and to revise papers with lower grades. Students who keep up to date with required work will get the most from the course. However, there are a few opportunities for earning extra credit; in particular, students are invited to create audio recordings for assigned readings and to consider creating video descriptions using YouDescribe.