Assignments & Grading
Overview • Readings Presentation• Appraisal Report• Listserv Reflection • Arrangement Exercise • Research Paper • Grading
Overview
The grading for this course is based on the standard numerical system (4.0 – 0.0) used by the University of Washington. Students will be graded on the following course assignments and requirements. Included is the weight for each.
| Assignment Name | Due Date | Percent of Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Readings Presentation |
(ongoing) |
25% |
| In-Class Appraisal Report | April 22 | 10% |
| Listserv Reflection | April 29 | 10% |
| Arrangement Exercise | May 6 | 10% |
| Research Paper | May 27 | 45% |
Readings Presentation-25%
Each student will be responsible for preparing a six minute in-class
presentation on one of the course readings. The presentations must
include an oral outline of the problem raised and a summary of the
argument or solution presented by the author. In addition, you will
prepare one question based on the reading that will be presented in
class and used as a point of departure for class discussion. The
question must be typed and given to the instructor at the beginning of
class.
Grading will be based on your understanding and synthesis of the
article, the quality of the question posed to the class, and your
ability to keep your presentation within the six minute time frame.
Please practice your presentation; the instructor will cut off the
presentation at the six minute mark.
There will be a sign-up sheet available on the first day of class. The
presentations will begin on the second day of class.
In-Class Appraisal Report-10%
DUE DATE: April 22Students will form small groups, will be
given a small sample of local government records, and asked to conduct
an appraisal of the records. Each group will prepare an appraisal
report/recommendation and report back to the class.
Grading will be based on assimilation and application of appraisal
methodology and the logic of the final appraisal recommendation.
Listserv Reflection-10%
DUE DATE: April 29
During the first week of classes, students will join the Archives and
Archivist Listserve and begin monitoring (and participating in, if
appropriate or desired) the discussion. Write a brief reflection of no
more than two pages, double spaced. The basic question to be answered is
what does this listserv evoke in you about archives and archivists? The
paper must show evidence of serious thought and should refer to some
thread of discussion or significant issue on the listserv. The primary
focus of this assignment is for you to think, assess, and express. The
finished reflection may be emailed to the instructor by 2 pm on April 29
or presented in hard copy at the beginning of class.
Instructions for joining are at the bottom of the following page:
http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp
Arrangement Exercise-10%
DUE DATE: May 6
Students will be given a list of record series from a small organization and will organize the list in accordance with standard archival arrangement practice. Specific instructions will be given in class on April 29 and/or with the list that will be emailed on April 30. The completed assignment may be emailed to the instructor by 2 pm on May 6 or presented in hard copy at the beginning of class.
Research Paper-45%
DUE DATE: May 27th
Students will form teams of two or three, and each team will research and write a 10-15 page research paper on any aspect of the history, basic principles, theory, core functions, or current debates in archival administration. The paper must be focused on a specific issue or topic that is not overly general. The paper should discuss the issues and debates raised by the topic and should show evidence of creative thought and analysis. Accompanying the paper must be a one page report on how the team divided tasks among its members and how the members collaborated in choosing the subject and writing the paper. Team and topic selections must be made and approved by the instructor no later than April 29; much earlier is preferred.
Papers should be well-researched, well written, and fully documented. Students should strive for the broadest possible sampling of sources, both published literature and Internet resources. Papers must include citations from the paper-based published literature. You should make every effort to review the most recent literature, while keeping in mind that earlier material often provides the groundwork for the evolution in archival scholarship and practice.
Papers must include an introduction that clearly states the topic/thesis, a critical review/analysis of the topic derived from the literature consulted, and a thoughtful conclusion summarizing what has been learned and, if relevant, what research is still needed. The reader should be able to identify the current thinking on the subject, identify the key issues, and understand the questions within the archives profession. Footnotes or endnotes are required and should conform to an acceptable professional format such as the Chicago Rules of Style or the Publications Manual of the American Psychological Association.
Papers will be graded on appropriateness of the topic, thoroughness of the research, clarity of writing, originality of analysis, and clean presentation. Papers must be typed, double-spaced, and use a 12 point font, preferably New Times Roman. Papers must not be more than 15 pages in length; the instructor will not read beyond the 15th page. If footnotes are used, they count as part of the 15 pages; if endnotes are used, they do not count as part of the 15 pages.
Make sure to spell check your work AND to proofread it as well.
Papers must be submitted in HARD COPY at the beginning of class on May 27.
Grading
The grading for this course is based on the standard numerical system (4.0 – 0.0) used by the University of Washington. General grading information for the University of Washington is available here. The iSchool has adopted its own criteria for grading graduate courses. The grading criteria used by the iSchool for graduate courses are available here.
Your written work will be graded based on its clarity, organization, balance, amount of pertinent detail included, depth and clarity of evaluative and analytical comments, and preparation. It will also be graded on the extent to which a good understanding of the material presented in the course is shown and on the extent to which directions are followed. If evaluative or analytical comments are required, they should be supported by factual evidence, either from readings or other documents. Other aspects of individual assignments may also be included in the grading.
Written work that shows a lack of understanding of subject matter, is unclear or poorly organized, contains few or irrelevant details, does not follow directions, contains little or unsubstantiated evaluative commentary, or is poorly written, prepared (e.g. typos, grammatical errors), or documented will receive low grades.
Late assignments are not accepted unless submitted to the professor no more than 24 hours after the due date. A late assignment will incur an automatic .5 deduction for its grade. If there are any extenuating circumstances, please notify the professor BEFORE the day that the assignment is due.
Students are encouraged to take drafts of their writing assignments to the Writing Center for assistance with using citations ethically and effectively. Information on scheduling an appointment can be found here. Both virtual and face to face appointments can be made.
You may expect to receive comments on and evaluations of assignments and submitted work in a timely fashion. All work from the course will be returned, with comments, within two weeks of the last class of the quarter.