Grading Standards   Francesco Laurana, Portrait of a Princess

D fair (60-69) is minimally passing; unsatisfactory understanding and presentation of factual and conceptual material and poorly conceived and expressed written work.  This should provide a wake-up call.  Please consult with me ASAP if you do not understand what is required.  Causes include frequent absence from class; sitting in the back rows; not taking good notes; not keeping up with assignments; not reading carefully and critically; not following directions; carelessness, and not taking initiative to use the campus study resources like the Writing Center or the Study Skills Center. 

C good (70-72 is a C-; 73-76 is a C; 77-79 is a C+) is a good basic grade; it represents the average expected performance of COLLEGE students: e.g., you demonstrate a basic grasp of factual and conceptual material and competent written presentation.  You have followed directions for all assignments and those prepared outside of class have been proofread and corrected.  Deadlines are met.

B work very good (80-82 is a B-; 83-86 is a B; 87-89 is a B+) is significantly better including: (1) above average mastery of the material (details are correct, analysis is appropriate and substantial); (2) clear and well produced written and oral presentation on all assignments within the allotted time; (3) word-processed (showing evidence of revision through several rewritings), carefully proofread, and corrected assignments prepared outside the classroom.

A excellent work (90-93 is an A-; 94-97 is an A, 98-100 is an A+) is truly remarkable: awarded for superior understanding of all concepts and factual material; for exceptional presentation in written work; for imaginative work that goes beyond the assignment and for regular helpful class participation.  It requires commitment and personal initiative and is never earned by simply going through the motions.