Introduction To Women’s And Gender Studies

Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies 1500 Assignment Guide and Course Rubrics Prof. Punam Mehta

2

Social Justice Critical Reflection Paper

Proposal and Outline (See Rubrics A for evaluation)

The purpose of this assignment is to write a paper proposal and an outline in preparation of the social justice critical reflection paper on the novel ‘Dawn’ by Octavia Butler.

The proposal should be two pages, 500 words. It should be submitted in MLA format.

Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies 1500 Assignment Guide and Course Rubrics Prof. Punam Mehta

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RUBRICS A

A+ to A B+ to B C+ to C D+ to D F

Critical Analysis

The thesis presents a clear,

focused and compelling

argument.

Excels in responding to the

assignment and demonstrates

mastery, of course, concepts

and materials.

Responds appropriately to the

assignment, demonstrates a

clear understanding of course concepts

and materials.

Good argument, clearly articulated in

the thesis, though needs refining.

Begins to

acknowledge the complexities of its

argument.

Doesn’t fully respond to the assignment,

demonstrates some misunderstanding of

course concepts and materials.

Paper has a weak

argument; the thesis is too general.

Fails to acknowledge

other views.

Doesn’t responds appropriately to

the assignment, disconnected

from course concepts and

materials

The argument is unclear, and the

thesis is weak.

Thesis too vague or general to be

nuanced or complicated.

Fails to meet the appropriate

guidelines

Ev idence and

support

Argument is thoroughly

backed by substantial,

specific, and appropriate

evidence

Evidence is clearly introduced,

analyzed, and connected to the

argument

The argument is thoroughly

supported by strong, specific and

appropriate evidence.

The evidence is

clearly introduced, analyzed, and

connected to the argument.

Paper’s argument is supported by relevant

evidence, though not always the strongest

or specific quotations.

Analysis of evidence needs further

development.

Paper’s argument is supported by

limited evidence that is only

occasionally relevant.

Connections

between argument and

evidence somewhat

unclear.

The evidence is insufficient,

misconstrued, or

misrepresented.

Unclear connections

between evidence and

argument.

Structure

Paper flows

logically to craft cohesive

argument

Paragraph clearly guides the reader

through a progression of

ideas

Paper flows

logically to craft a cohesive argument.

Paragraphs clearly

guide the reader through the

progression of ideas.

Uses transitional

sentences to develop strong

relationships between ideas.

Generally well-

constructed flow of ideas.

Paragraphs are

ordered thoughtfully; each paragraph

relates to the central argument.

Transitional

sentences create a logical progression of

ideas.

Paper jumps from

one idea to the next, lacking a

clear structure.

The occasional connection of

ideas between paragraphs.

Simple sequential

rather than transitions based

on logic.

Paper wanders

from one idea to the next,

making it difficult to disti l

the argument.

The limited connection of

ideas between paragraphs.

Paragraphs

may lack topic sentences or

connection of ideas.

Style

Displays a unique

critical voice

Demonstrates thorough and

thoughtful editing and revision

Displays a clear

critical voice.

The style fits the paper’s audience.

Chooses words

carefully for their precise meaning.

Demonstrates

through and thoughtful editing

and revision.

Begins to display a

clear critical voice.

Style is conscious of paper’s audience.

Uses words

effectively, if too generally at times.

Demonstrates

revision and editing.

Displays a critical

voice that is generic or bland.

Style only

occasionally displays an

awareness of paper’s audience.

Sentence

structure and word choice

frequently too unfocused, wordy

or confusing.

Critical voice is

unclear.

The style isn’t appropriate for

paper’s audience.

Simple,

awkward, or monotonous

sentence structure and

word choices.

Mechanics and

citation

Almost entirely free of spelling,

grammar, and punctuation errors

Almost entirely free of spelling,

grammar (word choice, correct use

of verbs,

May contain a few spelling, grammar, or

punctuation errors, but they don’t impede

understanding.

Several spelling, grammar or

punctuation errors that

Contains many spelling,

grammar, or punctuation

errors.

Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies 1500 Assignment Guide and Course Rubrics Prof. Punam Mehta

5

All sources are cited correctly and

completely

prepositions, subordination,

parallelism, modifiers…) and

punctuation (correct use of commas,

semi-colon, period, apostrophe, dash,

quotation marks) errors.

All sources are

cited correctly and complete, using the

appropriate citation (in text and

references page).

Most sources are

cited correctly and complete. Most use

the appropriate citation (in text and

reference page).

distract the reader.

Minor citation

errors

Incomplete

citations.