CS
349 Contemporary Issues in Computer Science
Alan Cline
Homework Grading
Guidelines
This
is a writing flag* class. So we’ll
be looking for two things as we grade your homework essays:
·
Content: Do you have significant ideas? Have you done research? Do you make concise and effective
arguments?
·
Writing:
Is your essay well organized? Are
your sentences grammatical and clear?
Do you cite your sources?
How Will We Grade?
Each
assignment is different, so there is not a single rubric that describes exactly
how all of them will be graded. But
here’s an example, which we’ll modify in accord with what
we’ve asked you to do:
·
Understanding
of the Key Issues (15 pts) – shows a good
understanding of the issues raised by the required reading.
·
Insight
(10 pts) – Here’s where we’re looking
for novel ideas or a particularly deep understanding of the issues.
·
Research
(15 pts) – evidence of appropriate additional
research. Good use of citations
when appropriate.
·
Quality
of the Argument (20 pts) - general cohesiveness of
thought, clear logic and clear arguments.
·
Structure
(20 pts) - strong thesis statement, logical paragraph
structuring.
·
Sentences
(20 pts) - avoiding grammatical errors, use of easy-to-follow
sentences, good choice of words, etc.
A Note on Citations
Citations are
important as they allow readers to verify facts presented in papers. Get into the habit of citing facts
rather than stating generalizations or making unsupported claims.
Online sources
are fine if they’re reliable.
(You need to use judgement here, just as you
would for evaluating the reliability of a print source.)
Please use either
MLA or APA styles for citations (both are well-documented online). Both of these styles now include formats
for specifying online sources.
* Writing Flag courses are designed to give
students experience with writing in an academic discipline. In this class, you
can expect to write regularly during the semester, complete substantial writing
projects, and receive feedback from your instructor to help you improve your
writing. You will also have the opportunity to revise one or more assignments,
and you may be asked to read and discuss your peers’ work. You should
therefore expect a substantial portion of your grade to come from your written
work. Writing Flag classes meet the Core Communications objectives of Critical
Thinking, Communication, Teamwork, and Personal Responsibility, established by
the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.