GRADING STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES

All assignments and relevant aspects of a student's performance will be graded on a 100-point scale. Most students should expect to receive grades in the B-C range. A's will be granted only in cases of clearly outstanding achievement. Students should note that college-level standards and expectations are substantially higher than those which apply to high-school work. Students should also note that previous accomplishments, professional goals, and personal desires/expectations do not automatically entitle a student to a grade. Grades will be assigned strictly on the basis of performance and achievement in the course. Make-ups/extensions for a missed exam or deadline will only be given in cases of documented serious illness or other major, non-frivolous eventuality (it will be up to the instructor to decide on the acceptability of an excuse). The following distinctions will be observed in all grading:

100-90 = A = Excellent, outstanding work demonstrating unusual degree of effort, accomplishment, originality, and intelligence; high degree of intellectual, analytical, and interpretive sophistication; ability to undertake subtle comparative and contrastive analysis, fully develop arguments, accurately present and explain relevant evidence, draw implications, and synthesize different issues and strands of thought; mastery of language and writing; thorough knowledge and command of course contents, facts, and background information.

89-87 = B+

86-80 = B = Very good, superior work characterized by intelligent and highly disciplined and responsible effort; solid accomplishment in writing, analysis, and comprehension of the issues and texts studied; ability to conduct reasonably complex and well-developed literary analysis, offer and explain relevant evidence, and reach logical conclusions; very good awareness of course contents, facts, and background information.

79-77 = C+

76-70 = C = Good, average work satisfactorily and honorably meeting all course standards and requirements; intelligent handling of language and concepts; good general exposition of ideas and supporting evidence; intelligible and reasonably correct writing; good awareness of course contents, facts, and background information.

69-60 = D = Below average achievement marginally complying with course standards and requirements; intelligent but insufficiently developed work exhibiting substantial problems with writing and/or reasoning; good intuitive understanding of texts and issues but want of clarity in the exposition of ideas; lack of evidence in support of arguments; frequent misunderstandings and inaccuracies in the handling of concepts, facts, and background information.

59-0 = F = Failing, work not acceptable for college credit or not meeting minimum course requirements; serious deficiencies in language, writing, and/or reasoning; inability to present, develop, and support an intelligible thesis; lack of awareness of course contents, facts, and background information. Other reasons for failing the course include excessive absenteeism; non-compliance with reading, writing, or other assignments; academic dishonesty (cheating) and plagiarism.