A/A-
This work is relatively rare and is expected to stand out from the work of other students and:
• Directly addresses the question or problem raised
• Provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information
• Critically evaluates concepts and theory
• Relates theory to practice
• Reflects the student’s own argument and is not just a repetition of standard lecture and reference material
• Is very accurate
• Has an element of novelty if not originality
• Provides evidence of reading beyond the required reading
• Displays an awareness of methodological concerns and displays an awareness of the limitations of current knowledge
B/B+
This is a highly competent level of performance and:
• Directly addresses the question or problem raised
• Provides a coherent argument drawing on relevant information
• Shows some ability to evaluate concepts and theory and to relate theory to practice
• Reflects the student’s own argument and is not just a repetition of standard lecture and reference material
• Does not suffer from any major errors or omissions
• Provides evidence of reading beyond the required reading
• Displays an awareness of other approaches to the problem area
B-/C+
This is an acceptable level of performance and:
• Addresses the question but provides only a basic outline of relevant arguments and evidence along the lines offered in the lectures and referenced readings
• Answers are clear but limited
• Some minor omissions and inaccuracies but no major errors
C/C-
This level of performance demonstrates some knowledge and an element of understanding but is weak and:
• Points made in the answer are not always well supported by argument and evidence
• Relevant points have been omitted from the answer
• There are some errors in the answer
• Parts of the question remain unanswered
• Answers may be unduly brief and possibly in note form
D+/D-
The best that can be said about students in this classification is that they have done just enough to persuade the instructor that they should not be failed and:
• Answers lack a coherent grasp of the problems and issues raised in the question
• Important information has been omitted from the answers and irrelevant points have been included
• Answers are far too brief
Fail (F)
Failed students have been unable to convince the instructor that they have benefited from academic study and:
• Fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question
• Reveals fundamental misunderstanding of the subject matter
• Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant