Kinda weird University stuff

WinstonsGirl

So I just finished my readings for my class next week (Mon - Fri, 8-4, Grad level PE class). My Prof just added a bunch of stuff to the eclass site, but thankfully no more readings. 6 articles was enough for me today. Anyway, he put up some info about our assignments, our week schedule, etc. He also posted a grade contract. We're supposed to tell him what grade we want, and then do the 3 assignments to the criteria listed. For example, 1 assignment, I could write 500 words using 2 articles for a D - C-, or I could write 2500 words using 7 articles for an A-A+ grade. It seems kinda weird. What if I write enough for the A-A+ category, but haven't explained my thoughts, or expanded in a way he wanted me to. Could I just type PE Rocks!! 2500 times and cite 7 articles proving this to get my A+?? He gave no other criteria for marking.

This assignment is a reflection on the conference we're attending on the Tues/Wed of the class. It's due Thurs at midnight. I can't even start it now, cos I haven't been to the conference!! So, starting Wed at 4pm, (and being in class Thurs from 9-4), I have to write 2500 words with a minimum of 7 articles cited in a reflection (part annotated bibliography) before Thursday at midnight. I think I'm gonna be pulling some all nighters this week.

ETA - yay, I added paragraphs!!

pinkshorts27

Ick. No fun.

huskypuppy14

Sorry what is PE (all I can think of is Physical Education)?

WinstonsGirl

Yup, Phys-Ed.  I'm a jock.  

tigersgirlgv

That is so strange. I have never seen anything like that. Personally, for the assignment due on such short notice (Wed-Thurs), I'd probably shoot for a B. It would kill me to do so (I like my A), but it might make life a little easier

WinstonsGirl

We'll see what I do.  I like my A's too, and having another will help if I decide to apply for grad school.  I'll take a B+ though.  

wandajune6

That sounds very odd to me. Any way to ask for clarification?

WinstonsGirl

I'll find out tomorrow on Day 1

mysticl

Maybe the theory is that if you can pull off that long of a paper with that many references in that short of a time period you still deserve a pretty good grade even if it's not Pulitzer worthy.  I had a professor that if your grade on the final was higher than your overall average he made that your grade for the class.  His theory was that since the final was cumulative if you busted your ass to get an A on it you deserved that A even if your average was a D because you had clearly learned the material at some point in the semester.  

WinstonsGirl

mysticl said:

Maybe the theory is that if you can pull off that long of a paper with that many references in that short of a time period you still deserve a pretty good grade even if it's not Pulitzer worthy.  I had a professor that if your grade on the final was higher than your overall average he made that your grade for the class.  His theory was that since the final was cumulative if you busted your ass to get an A on it you deserved that A even if your average was a D because you had clearly learned the material at some point in the semester.  

I totally agree with this, but that's also how I grade my kids.  I don't care when you learn it.  If you can show me you know the material before final report cards are due, I'll give you the marks for it.  I normally find though, that the kids who are failing at the beginning aren't going to pass cos they generally aren't putting in the effort to pass in the first place.  Your Prof was pretty forward thinking for University with that style of grading.  

missdelilah

Sounds really bizarre. I've never seen grading criteria expressed this way, and I've studied at four universities. There was always a minimum word limit, and the grading was based on how you expressed your thesis. I'm sorry you've got so little time to prepare the paper. That absolutely sucks! Professors do seem to have some sort of conception that no one has any sort of life outside of their classrooms.

mysticl

WinstonsGirl said:

mysticl said:

Maybe the theory is that if you can pull off that long of a paper with that many references in that short of a time period you still deserve a pretty good grade even if it's not Pulitzer worthy.  I had a professor that if your grade on the final was higher than your overall average he made that your grade for the class.  His theory was that since the final was cumulative if you busted your ass to get an A on it you deserved that A even if your average was a D because you had clearly learned the material at some point in the semester.  

I totally agree with this, but that's also how I grade my kids.  I don't care when you learn it.  If you can show me you know the material before final report cards are due, I'll give you the marks for it.  I normally find though, that the kids who are failing at the beginning aren't going to pass cos they generally aren't putting in the effort to pass in the first place.  Your Prof was pretty forward thinking for University with that style of grading.  

It was a first semester, freshman class. It was also a major specific class, not just anyone could take it. I think he gave the benefit of the doubt and took into account that the first round of college exams can be much harder than some students were expecting.  I don't know if he did the same thing for other classes he taught.