Click for "Main" (left) or "Course" (right) home

Final Grades (Posted 14 May 98)

Spring 1998, 37.705.01, Seminar: Cultural Movements in Latin America

Instructor: Dr Jack Child, LFS, email: jchild@american.edu

These grades use the pseudonym you submitted. (If you forgot yours, give me a call at 885-2385). The first item after your name is the letter grade generated by my computer gradebook program. If there is also a grade in parenthesis it represents a "bump up" to a somewhat higher grade due to extra credit, or proximity to the cut-off. I did not lower any grades. The numerical items after the letter grades are (in order): Overall course grade (100%); Research Project (100 points, weight 40%); Final Exam (100 points, weight 20%); Painter report (20 points, weight 20%); Discussion leader (10 points, weight 10%); Participation (10 points, weight 10%);

Note that although the grade of "A+" does not exist at American University, grade inflation leads us to use it here to discriminate between the very best and the very good students.

Cutoffs: 97 and above=A+; 93-96=A; 90-92=A-; 87-89=B+; 83-86=B; 80-82=B-; 77-79=C+; 73-76=C; 70-72=C-; 60-69=D; 59 and below=F.

Adam, Adam, B, 85.4, 87 88 17 8 8

Cobi, Cobi, A- (Bumped up to A), 90.2, 90 91 17 10 9

Graciela, Graciela, A, (Bumped up to A+), 96.6, 100 98 19 10 8

Hualum, Hualum, A+, 99.4, 100 97 20 10 10

Isis, Isis, A+, 99.6, 100 98 20 10 10

Louise, Louise, B (Bumped up to B+), 86.4, 90 87 17 8 8

Mafalda, Mafalda, B+ (Bumped up to A-), 88.8, 90 94 18 8 8

María, Ave, A+, 99.4, 100 97 20 10 10

Max, Max, B (Bumped up to B+), 86.4, 90 92 17 8 7

Mural, Mural, A- (Bumped up to A), 92.0, 90 90 18 10 10

Ponceña, Ponceña, A, 94.6, 93 92 20 10 9

Tamanaco, Tamanaco, B (Bumped up to B+), 86.6, 90 88 17 7 9

Ugh, Ugh, B, 85.6, 90 88 17 8 7

---

TO: My students FROM: Dr Jack Child, Dept of Language and Foreign Studies

SUBJECT: Your grades

I would like to share with you some characteristics I have observed over the years which can be associated with certain levels of grades.

Students who get top grades (A, A-, B+) generally:

Have a sense of excitement over the discovery and sharing of ideas and knowledge.

Turn in high-quality written work which reflects careful research, good planning, well thought-out arguments, originality, and freshness. They stay within stated page limits. Their bibliographies are solid and their footnotes carefully used. Their final product is typed and readable.

Complete all assigned readings (required and recommended) on time, and reflect this in their exams, written work, and class participation. They review carefully and productively.

Attend all classes, and offer an explanation voluntarily if they ever are absent. They make up any work they miss if absent.

Participate actively and enthusiastically in class discussions. They ask questions on a regular basis, and their ideas are original and stimulating. They challenge the conventional wisdom. They summarize each author's principal argument and their reaction to it (note cards are good).

Consider doing an extra credit project, and/or the "Community Service Learning Project".

Come by my office every once in a while, even when there is no problem or specific question.

Students who get middle grades (B, B-, C+, C) generally:

Turn in acceptable written work. They meet deadlines or explain why, and watch their bibliographies and footnotes. Their work is readable and typed.

Complete all of the assigned readings and most of the recommended ones.

Attend most classes, and explain excessive absences.

Participate in class discussions, and ask occasional questions.

Come by my office if there is a problem.

Students who get low and failing grades (C-, D, F) generally:

Don't turn in their assigned work, turn it in late without an adequate explanation, or prior permission. Their work is of poor quality and shows inadequate research, documentation, thought and originality. It is poorly presented (untidy and handwritten).

Complete only part of the required readings and none of the recommended.

Cut many classes without any explanation. No make-up work is attempted.

Are passive in class and avoid participation. When called on, are not familiar with the material. Ask no questions, take poor notes, and accept new ideas and opinions without challenging them.

Avoid coming by my office, even when there is a problem.