Online Discussion Guidelines and Grading Standards

A discussion grade is given at about the mid-point in the course for a total of two grades.   A good or excellent posting consists of (1) demonstrating knowledge of all the week’s readings, audios or videos, if applicable, etc. (2) by referencing page numbers, if appropriate, and (3) how the materials relate to or explain the discussion question.  You are responding not only to my start-up discussion question, but to your classmates as well, raising your own questions concerning the material, giving us more than only three or four sentences per post, and ESPECIALLY supporting your views from the readings – this constitutes an excellent discussion grade. Simply offering your opinion without documentation or not responding directly to the discussion question will not help your grade. Hassling your classmates will not be tolerated. If after one warning, you continue, you will be removed from the discussion forum and assigned a grade of “F” in the course.

These are general guidelines that will be applied when grading your discussion sessions.

• For an “A” : a discussion grade of “A” will require you to have all your postings completed by the deadlines, demonstrate excellent knowledge and understanding of the session’s readings, responses (be tactful and nice) and questions for your classmates, and about four to six quality postings spread out over the entire session. You must also meet the posting deadlines in order to receive a grade of “A”.Your views, opinions, thoughts, must be documented from the class material. For example, if you express an opinion try to support it with material from our readings and indicate the page number, if appropriate, where you found the support.
• For a “B”: a discussion grade of “B” will require you to have all your postings completed by the deadlines, demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of the session’s readings, responses (be tactful and nice) and questions for your classmates, and about three to four good postings per session spread out over the entire session. You must also meet the posting deadlines in order to receive a grade of “B”.Your views, opinions, thoughts, must be documented from the class material. For example, if you express an opinion try to support it with material from our readings (a page number will suffice and indicate the page number where you found the support.
• For a “C”: a discussion grade of “C” will require you to have your postings completed by the deadlines, demonstrate average knowledge and understanding of the session’s assignments, responses (be tactful and nice) and questions for your classmates, and two good postings per session. You must also meet the posting deadlines in order to receive a grade of “C”.Your views, opinions, thoughts, must be documented from the class material. For example, if you express an opinion try to support it with material from our readings (a page number will suffice)
• For a “D”: a discussion grade of “D” will require you to have one or two posts demonstrating some knowledge of the session’s assignments and responses (be tactful and nice) and questions for your classmates.
• For a “F”: simply do nothing or offer only postings that are strictly your opinion without any support from the class materials. Rudeness to your classmates also helps you achieve this goal.