Rubric for Assignments
Specifications Satisfacto Unsatisfacto
ry ry
To earn a grade of A in the assignment, 6 out of the 7
specifications must be deemed Satisfactory.
To earn a grade of B in the assignment, 5 out of 7
specifications must be deemed Satisfactory.
To earn a grade of C in the assignment, 4 out of 7
specifications must be deemed Satisfactory.
The Argumentative Hook (roughly 200 words
suggested for short essay and 400 for midterm and final):
An opening paragraph/section that introduces the reader
to the reading(s) you are examining and the significance
of this case study (i.e. what
issues/controversies/debates/questions does it raise for
consideration?). The paragraph identifies the
argumentative stance of the author or authors being
discussed.
A Deeper Introduction (roughly 200 words suggested
for short essay and 400 for midterm and final):
A second paragraph/section that introduces details that
you couldn’t include in your introductory paragraph. The
paragraph situations the article or articles under
consideration within the broader context of the
philosophical discussion. Here is where your research and
reading around the course material can be introduced.
Context (roughly 200 words suggested for short essay
and 400 for midterm and final):
A third paragraph/section that situates the case study in
the context of its cultural moment: what is happening
politically, socially, economically, that might be pertinent
to the discussion? It cites scholarly sources to
substantiate these claims. It considers a question such as:
How is the article in conversation with some aspect of the
current cultural moment?
Important: the research evidence is cited throughout the
essay following MLA 8th edition guidelines. Verbatim
words of the scholar are placed in quotation marks and
cited and paraphrased passages are also cited with a
parenthetical reference to the source at the end of the
sentence.
A Close-Up (roughly 200 words suggested for short
essay and 400 for midterm and final):
A fourth paragraph/section that chooses a specific
passage from the reading that supports an overall view
towards which you are building. It cites and examines
specific passages and gives a “thick description” of what
is happening in the readings. The paragraph cites
scholarship (i.e. peer-reviewed secondary sources).
Rubric for Assignments
The short essays are what are called “exegetical
essays.” Your job here is simply to outline what has been
said in your readings.
The midterm and final essays are what are called
“critical exegeses.” Your job here is not only to outline
what has been said in your readings; it is also to analyze
what has been said – to give a justification or reason for
why you agree or disagree with the central arguments of
the readings. This is a skill you will need to develop as
philosophers. [we will have to discuss what counts as
justification or reasons!]
Context OR a Second Close Up (roughly 200 words
suggested for short essay and 400 for midterm and final):
A fifth paragraph/section that does one of two things
(depending on which best serves your aims): it either
moves back out to questions of context and examines
how the moments you have examined speak to the larger
social, cultural, political, or industry-related issues you
identified in paragraph three; OR, it offers an additional
close-up of another illustrative moment in the case study
that allows your reader to think about your over-arching
argument more deeply or from a different angle.
The Closing Hook (roughly 150 words suggested for
short essay and 300 for midterm and final):
A final paragraph/section that pulls together and
synthesizes the claims you have made in the essay
without repeating them verbatim. It identifies the key
takeaways you hope to leave with your reader and
concludes with the overall “big picture” and “so what?”
implications of your arguments.
Advanced Specifications Sophistica
If you receive Satisfactory in all of the above ted
specifications, the evaluation moves into Advanced
Specifications. A minimum of 3 Sophisticated
specifications will result in a ‘+’ grade.
Close Reading: The analysis is grounded in a close
reading of the case study and reveals a very strong
familiarity with it.
Strong Argumentative Stance: The analysis takes a
strong and clear argumentative stance and articulates
this with clarity and focus.
Originality, Creativity: The analysis reveals originality,
creativity, and bravery in its capacity to identify the case
study’s broader political stakes. There are intellectual and
creative risks taken in examining the case study. The
Rubric for Assignments
analysis examines how it is shaping cultural attitudes,
ideas, perceptions, and/or participating in the ideological
struggles of the moment.
Exceptional Writing/Delivery: The writing or
presentation style is lively, engaging, and creative. Your
prose captures the reader’s/listener’s attention and flows
in a way that is accessible and exciting.
