GOVT 2306 Rubrics

GOVT 2306 ACTIVITY 1 RUBRIC

In Activity #1 you analyzed a number of political advertisements from the past fifty years. The assignment required you to send a written response that included specific components. The following rubric explains the points you received based on the response you sent.

___ Includes a complete chart/list of ads and propaganda techniques. (2 points max)

___ Answer reflects understanding of concepts in the assignment. (4 points max)

Always refer back to material from the assignment to show you completed and understand the material assigned.

___ Makes specific and detailed connections to course content. (4 points max)

This is the part of the assignment in which you should show off how much you know. You should have already gone through the margin notes and presentations that deal with relevant topics so it should be easy to make those connections.

___ Correct spelling and grammar (No points counted off on 1^st assignment.)

If necessary, work on your spelling and grammar before you start losing points.

___ Submitted by deadline OR ___ days late (Subtract 1 point per day late.)

I tend to be a bit more lenient than usual when I grade the first assignment. I know students aren’t sure initially what a professor expects so, for example, I might give the maximum points for an answer that really wasn’t fully developed, didn’t provide enough detail or etc. On future assignments I’ll use a rubric based on the assignment instructions as I’ve done here but I will hold students responsible for complying with all of the instructions. An assignment that includes words such as detailed, specific, discuss, explain, why, understanding, thorough, relevant concepts or etc, almost always requires an organized and in-depth response written in complete sentences and using correct spelling and grammar.

GOVT 2306 ACTIVITY 2 RUBRIC

In Activity #2 you had to develop two plausible solutions your interest group could use to deal with a problem. The assignment required you to send a report that included specific components. The following rubric explains the points you received based on the report you sent.

___ First fully-developed solution and rationale (3 points max)

___ Second fully-developed solution and rationale (3 points max)

___ Specific and detailed connections to course content (3 points max)

___ Correct spelling and grammar (1 point max)

___ Submitted by deadline OR ___ days late (Subtract 1 point per day late.)

GOVT 2306 ACTIVITY 3 RUBRIC

For Activity #3 you had to comment on whether or not you would support redistricting reform and why or why not. The assignment required you to send comments that included specific components. The following rubric explains the points you received based on the comments you sent.

___ Answer exhibits an understanding of course concepts. (3 points max)

___ Answer reflects the information given in the assignment. (2 points max)

___ Makes specific and detailed connections to course content. (3 points max)

___ Uses correct spelling and grammar. (2 points max)

GOVT 2306 ACTIVITY 4 RUBRIC

In Activity #4 you took on the dual roles of Dean of Students at Prickly Pear College in Glendale CA and a member of the Glendale city council. You had to use your authority in both roles to manage a potential crisis and to balance civil liberties and the need to maintain order. The assignment ended with a media interview for which you had to answer three questions. The following rubric explains the points you received based on the answers you sent.

_ _ Differing responses in different roles (2 points max)

_ _ Tools to protect public safety and respect civil liberties (2 points max)

_ _ Ban hate groups (2 points max)

_ _ Makes specific and detailed connections to course content. (2 points max)

_ _ Uses correct spelling and grammar. (2 points max)

___ Submitted by deadline OR ___ days late. (Subtract 1 point per day late.)

GOVT 2306 CRITICAL THINKING ESSAY RUBRIC

Categories	4 points	3 points	2 points	1 point	POINTS
INTRODUCTION reader engagement explanation of topic	Well-developed intro engages reader and creates interest. Contains well-defined and thorough explanation of topic.	Introduction creates interest but not well developed. Contains an explanation of topic.	Intro is generic, creating little interest. Contains adequate explanation of topic but is vague.	Intro is collection of random info not related to topic. Explanation of topic is vague or unclear.
TOPIC argument main points supporting examples	Argument logical and thoughtful. Well-developed points directly relate to topic. Supporting examples are concrete and detailed.	Argument present, adequate. Main points relate to topic but don’t go beyond the obvious. Supporting examples general and/or unspecific.	Argument present but weak. Some main points are present but missing obvious points. Few supporting examples given are weak or irrelevant.	Argument not present. Few main points, poor development of ideas. No supporting examples given.
ORGANIZATION structure transitions	Logical progression of ideas, clear structure that enhances topic. Transitions are thoughtful and flow with essay.	Logical progression of ideas but structure not always clear. Transitions are present, but often weak or awkward.	Structure is clear but at times is awkward and/or distracting. Some weak/poor transitions are present.	No discernible structure and/or organization. No transitions are present.
STYLE AND MECHANICS sentence flow and variety language and word choice	Writing is smooth and skillful, with strong, varied sentences. Language is direct and concise, and words chosen are clear and suitable.	Writing is clear and sentences often have varied structure. Language is sometimes overly wordy, and/or words chosen are fillers or artificial.	Writing is clear overall, but sentences lack variety. Language is often redundant or pompous, and/or words chosen are unsuitable.	Writing is hard to follow with fragments or run-on sentences. Language is chaotic and words chosen are inappropriate for college-level work.
SPELLING AND GRAMMAR	Spelling and grammar are correct. No errors.	Spelling and grammar mainly correct, with few errors (1-3).	Some errors in spelling and grammar (4-6).	Distracting number of spelling and grammar errors.
RUBRIC TOTAL
LATE POINTS DEDUCTED (1 PER DAY LATE)
TOTAL POINTS

Remember that this is a 20-point assignment ... the detail and comprehensiveness of your response should reflect that additional weight.

RUBRIC SYMBOL

GOVT 2306 PROJECT RUBRIC

For your project you had to create, administer and tabulate the results of a public opinion poll. The assignment required you to work through a number of steps and send an analysis that included specific components. The following rubric explains the points you received based on the analysis you sent.

___ A list/table of questions and responses at beginning of analysis (5 points max)

___ Decision and rationale in each of the steps in the assignment (2 points max)

___ Problems administering the survey (2 points max)

___ An analysis of the data (5 points max)

___ Specific and detailed connections to course content (3 points max)

___ Correct spelling and grammar (3 points max)

___ Submitted by deadline OR ___ days late (Subtract 1 point per day late.)

Remember that this is a 20-point assignment ... the detail and comprehensiveness of your response should reflect that additional weight. It's also your last opportunity to show me how much you've learned in the course.