Course Information | Course Syllabus | Grading Rubrics | Assignments and Grades | Bonus Assignments | Adding Students
Technocultural Studies 191 — Writing Across Media
Winter 2015
Grading Rubric for Assignments Submitted
| Assignment | Characteristics of an “A” example of this assignment | B | C | D |
| Attendance and Participation |
Student attends all classes, listens attentively, shows evidence of having completed all assigned readings, and participates actively and thoughtfully in class activities and discussion. Students who spend time typing or clicking while others are speaking typically earn low participation grades. | Student meets most of the criteria to earn an A in attendance and participation | Student meets some of the criteria to earn an A in attendance and participation | Student meets few of the criteria to earn an A in attendance and participation (and may distract others in class) |
| Group Presentation | Student participates enthusiastically in a creative and successful language- and media-rich performed presentation that interestingly interprets and synthesizes class texts and concepts. Student recognizes his or her own strengths, and those of collaborators, and encourages full and equitable participation. | Student’s participation and the presentation itself meet most of the criteria to earn an A | Student’s participation and the presentation itself meet some of the criteria to earn an A | Student’s participation and the presentation itself meet few of the criteria to earn an A |
| Writing in your Sub-Genre of TCS (see here also) | Essay presents an interesting, well-researched and sufficiently complex explanation of the function / practice of writing in your specific chosen field, that is, your sub-genre of work in Technoculture. | Essay meets most of the criteria needed to earn an A. | Essay meets some of the criteria needed to earn an A. | Essay meets few if any of the criteria needed to earn an A. |
| Radio Script | The radio script with sound effects and music interestingly responds to and interprets a poem, a work of art, a passage from any substantive theoretical essay, or a passage from an example of substantive journalism. Should inspire engagement and reflection. | Radio script meets most of the criteria needed to earn an A. | Radio script meets some of the criteria needed to earn an A. | Radio script meets few of the criteria needed to earn an A. |
| Storyboard of a Movie Scene | One-page introduction interestingly justifies film choice and describes the technical or dramatic challenges / pleasures of representing it. The storyboard will include five to ten pages of words and images that helpfully represent the film’s action, framing and sequences. | Film scene storyboard meets most of the criteria needed to earn an A. | Film scene storyboard meets some of the criteria needed to earn an A. | Film scene storyboard meets few of the criteria needed to earn an A. |
| Experimental Film Concept | Introduction, synopsis and some analysis of an experimental film, as well as a page or more of the film’s script. “A” examples of this assignment will creatively and convincingly reflect the influence of class concepts, themes, and/or texts. The script sample will present a key or dramatic scene following screenplay conventions. | Experimental film concept and sample script meet most of the criteria needed to earn an A. | Experimental film concept and sample script meet some of the criteria needed to earn an A. | Experimental film concept and sample script meet few of the criteria needed to earn an A. |
| Update of an Assigned Text | An innovative and forward-thinking update on an assigned thinker’s groundbreaking idea, project or text using the language, tone or mode(s) of the 21st century. “A” examples of this assignment present a thoughtful and creative response or application of a well-understood original work, considering new technologies, new threats, and new opportunities. | Updated text meets most of the criteria needed to earn an A. | Updated text meets some of the criteria needed to earn an A. | Updated text meets few of the criteria needed to earn an A. |
| A Perfect Page of Prose | A well-crafted and briefly supported engaging assertion about a topic in Technoculture, broadly defined, that is recurrently-revised, often during office hours. The author of an “A” example of this time-consuming assignment is told, “You’re done.” | A sub-standard submission revised multiple times, but not “done.” | A poor or average submission that is revised once. | A poor or average submission that remains unrevised. |
| The Position Paper | A sophisticated, interesting and engaging response to an assigned text. Furthermore, an “A” position paper takes risks, adopts, adapts or comments upon the language of the original text, and/or itself exemplifies creative artistry or multi-media writing. An “A” position paper holds the attention of those who hear it in class. | The position paper meets most of the criteria needed to earn an A. | The position paper meets some of the criteria needed for an A, and may merely summarize. | The position paper meets few of the criteria needed to earn an A, and may merely summarize. |
| Recommended Reading Journal | Students who submit the recommended reading response journal will gain much more from assigned readings, and will be more likely to earn an “A” on the position paper assignment (and, it could be argued, in the class as a whole). Consider online options (e.g., Tumblr). | |||
| Final Project | A significant, creative, and well-executed and thoroughly revised example of a studied genre of writing. 2000 or more words, 500 to 750 of which must be analytical, historical, and/ or theoretical. The best examples of this assignment will reflect planning, thoughtfulness, research, and innovative thinking. | The final project meets most of the criteria needed to earn an A. | The final project meets some of the criteria needed to earn an A. | The final project meets few of the criteria needed to earn an A. |
For each assignment, carefully review the parameters of the assignment and the required word count, speaking with Dr. Andy when you have questions. You should also review what makes an effective essay, and how writing programs evaluate essays (for example, see http://wid.ucdavis.edu/handouts/standard.htm). This class will allow for and reward creative responses to most assignments. Radical experiments should be first discussed with and receive approval and recommendations from Dr. Andy.
Please recall our discussion about avoiding plagiarism. See the Academic Integrity Project for guidance.
