Expectations for Class Participation

An Etiquette for Seminar, Gilbert G. Salcedo

Participation will be graded on a scale from 0 (lowest) through 4 (highest), using the criteria below. The criteria focus on what you demonstrate and do not presume to guess at what you know but do not demonstrate. This is because what you offer to the class is what you and others learn from. I expect the average level of participation to satisfy the criteria for a "3".

4 (Excellent)

• Demonstrates excellent preparation;
• Provides a point for discussion/debate which no one had thought of before;
• Asks pointed and challenging questions that stimulate other questions;
• Adds significant new insights into the topic at hand;
• Brings in relevant outside experience related directly to the discussion;
• Persuasively argues a point and changes the opinions of classmates;

3 (Good)

• Presents useful knowledge in depth clearly and concisely;
• Willing to ask questions when a point is unclear; comes up with supporting ideas
• Willing to defend and debate your position when appropriate; respectfully challenges ideas when disagree
• Clarify and expands upon an already started point in a different way so that someone who did not understand the first time may now understand; helps others learn;
• Actively and consistently contributes information to a discussion;
• States a point from the case, then develops its meaning in more detail;
• Thinks between the lines; sees implications;

2 (Marginal)

• Pays attention and offers supporting data to discussions;
• Offers some thoughts, ideas, questions each class period; level one thinking;
• Has read the material for the day and is generally prepared for class;
• Answers questions correctly when called upon;
• Clarify another's statement; restates and adds modestly;
• Comments don't elicit very much feedback or response;

1 (Poor)

• Late or leaving before the end of class;
• Repeats what has already been said in class;
• Obviously not well prepared for the class; shallow understanding of the paper;
• Comments that do not move the analysis forward; doesn't ask for help when needed;
• Demonstrates a lack of understanding of the rudimentary elements of the paper.
• Hogging the floor (talking to hear yourself talk);

0 (Very Poor)

• Absent;
• Does not participate in classroom discussion;
• Talking to neighbors during presentations by classmates or teacher;
• Focused on activity not related to class during class time;
• Behavior indicating lack of attention to subject (sleeping, non-attendance, private conversations while others are speaking, etc.).