/ Classroom: Grading: check your current grade online at Catalyst 
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Student grades in the course will be based on four major elements:
- Participation: 15% of final grade
- I will consider the following questions in determining participation grades:
- Do you arrive at class on time, having done the reading, ready to discuss?
- Do you contribute to class discussion? Do you collaborate well with others?
- Do you demonstrate an interest in the ideas of your peers and a familiarity with topics currently being discussed on the class blog?
- I will give periodic updates on current participation grades during the quarter.
- Blog posts and other short assignments: 15% of final grade
- Every Friday I will post a prompt on the class blog , to which you will be asked to post a short written response each Monday evening. These blog posts will serve three key purposes: 1) to encourage you to reflect on the readings before class, 2) to read and respond to what your peers have written about the readings, and 3) for all of us to learn how blogs work as a space for online discussion.
- In addition, I may include occasional short assignments. When and if I do so, they will be included in this grading category.
- Written essays: 50% of final grade (10% per essay)
- There will be five two-page essays, due on alternating Fridays throughout the quarter, beginning April 10th. Each essay will count for 10% of your final grade, and will be graded on a 10-point scale.
- Students who wish to revise an essay for an improved grade may be permitted to do so on an individual basis, at the instructor's discretion.
- Tongass National Forest case study: 20% of final grade
- Working in groups, students will be assigned to represent different stakeholders in the Tongass National Forest management controversy. The products of the case study will be:
- A 30-60 second radio spot designed advocate for your group's chosen position on the issue.
- A one-page press release articulating and arguing for your group's position.
- A five-minute presentation of your group's position and the radio spot, followed by questioning from the instructor and your peers, posing as reporters.