PARTICIPATION
Participation is not to be confused with simply showing up and occupying the same space as your fellow students. Participation means coming to class ready to ask questions, discuss weekly reading assignments, and engage in thoughtful, respectful conversation with your peers (and the professor). In short, your participation grade is not a ‘freebie’. Participation points are based upon your ability to listen to your peers and instructor, to respond to comments by others, to come prepared with a question or comment daily, to express your well-considered views (opinions) thoughtfully, and to commit to being part of an intellectual community where all points of view are considered carefully. Just a note that no one is immune from this policy; I will call on people! One of the best parts of being part of this environment is that you’re encouraged to debate and discuss ideas with each other while being in a safe culture.
Included in participation grade
- in-class discussions
- in-class group work
- quizzes and other informal written work
- any other assignment I announce as belonging to participation
Excellent (A): Contributions in class reflect exceptional preparation. Ideas offered are substantive and provide insights and direction for the class. Challenges are well substantiated and persuasively presented. If this person were not a member of the class, the quality of discussion would be diminished markedly.
Very Good (A- to B+): Contributions in class reflect thorough preparation. Ideas offered are usually substantive, provide good insights and sometimes direction for the class. Challenges are well substantiated and often persuasive. If this person were not a member of the class, the quality of discussion would be diminished.
Adequate (B to B-): Contributions in class reflect satisfactory preparation. Ideas offered are sometimes substantive, provide generally useful insights but seldom offer a new direction for the discussion. Challenges are sometimes presented, fairly well substantiated, and are sometimes persuasive.
Inadequate (C+ or lower): Contributions in class reflect inadequate preparation. Ideas offered are seldom substantive and do not offer a constructive direction for the class. Integrative comments and effective challenges are absent. If this person were not a member of the class, the quality of discussion would not be changed.
Download critical analysis and participation requirements/hints and rubric here
Note: Neither attendance nor participation grades are open to discussion, debate or negotiation.