GEOG 1303 Rubrics

GEOG 1303 ACTIVITY 1 RUBRIC

In Activity #1 you looked at the concept of and situations that lead to the tragedy of the commons. The assignment required you to complete four scenarios and send a summary that included specific components. The following rubric explains the points you received based on the summary you sent.

___ Completion of four scenarios (4 points max)

___ The basic idea of TOC (1 point max)

___ Discussion of conflict between shared resources and goals (2 points max)

___ Explanation of consequences of overuse (2 points max)

___ Specific and detailed connections to course content (1 point 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.

GEOG 1303 ACTIVITY 2 RUBRIC

For Activity #3 you had to answer the question Is human trafficking a problem we have a moral obligation to eradicate or is it a cultural choice no less valid simply because we don't understand it. 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 geographic concepts. (3 points max)

___ Answer reflects the information given in the assignment. (3 points max)

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

___ Uses correct spelling and grammar. (1 point max)

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

GEOG 1303 ACTIVITY 3 RUBRIC

In Activity #2 you applied your knowledge of culture and cultural landscapes to city pictures and types. The assignment required you to send a description of your activity that included specific components. The following rubric explains the points you received based on the summary you sent.

___ Results of picture pairs analysis (3 points max)

___ Classifications and rationales of 5 cities (4 point max)

___ Specific and detailed connections to course content (2 points max)

___ Correct spelling and grammar (1 point max)

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

GEOG 1303 ACTIVITY 4 RUBRIC

In Activity #4 you analyzed the content of foreign newspapers from Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and South America. The assignment required you to send a brief analysis that included specific components. The following rubric explains the points you received based on the report you sent.

___ Analysis and discussion of 3 countries' cultures (3 points max)

___ Analysis and discussion of 3 countries' political environments (3 points max)

___ Analysis and discussion of 3 countries' economic environments (3 point max)

___ Correct spelling and grammar (1 point max)

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

GEOG 1303 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

GEOG 1303 PROJECT RUBRIC

For your project, you looked at population growth and the effects of population characteristics on a country's physical environment, culture, politics and economy. The assignment required you to calculate the doubling times for 8 specific countries and to write a project summary that included specific components. The following rubric explains the points you received based on the summary you sent.

___ Accurate doubling statements for 8 specified countries (4 points max)

___ Discussion of low-growth-rate countries (6 points max)

___ Discussion of high-growth-rate countries (6 points max)

___ Correct spelling and grammar (4 point 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.