Requirements and Grading:
Grading System
| Requirement Note: All requirements will be graded on a scale and not on a curve. | Percentage of Final Grade |
| Participation | 20% |
| Reading Response #1: Due 9/13 by 9 am #2: Due 11/15 by 9 am | 20% |
| Midterm Exam – 10/20 | 20% |
| Puerto Rico Case Study Research Paper Abstract and Annotated Bibliography – Due 11/22 | 10% |
| Puerto Rico Case Study Research Paper & Podcast – Due 12/13 | 30% |
A Note About Assignment Submission
Due to the extraordinary circumstances we are living in, some of these deadlines might not work for some students. Whether there are academic or personal challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic (personal health and/or caretaker responsibilities), it is extremely important to maintain communication with your instructor. Please keep your instructor informed of any challenges to a successful completion of the course. The course has several check-in sessions with librarian and instructor support for reading, writing, and research. Therefore, students will not have the opportunity to resubmit assignments or review them after their submission.
Participation (20%)
Students will have different opportunities to participate (discussions and written responses to in-class texts and prompts). Students are expected to come to class prepared with their notes on the ways they engaged with the assigned texts (book chapters, articles, podcasts, interviews).
Reading Responses (20%)
The two Reading Responses assignments are opportunities for students to show their understanding and analysis of class readings. Students can use the Reading Response guide and rubric to prepare and assess their work. These responses are due by 9 am on Blackboard TurnItIn on their due date.
Midterm Exam (20 %)
Research Project Abstract and Annotated Bibliography (10%)
Students will turn in a 250 word abstract of their research project; accompanied by a list of 5 sources with a brief (3-5 sentences) summary of the sources thesis/findings and an explanation of how the sources relate to the students’ research project.
Final Paper – Puerto Rico Case Study Research Paper and Podcast (30% of Final Grade)
The research paper will address how the political status selected considers the following: citizenship, national defense, politics with the United States and other nations, language/culture, the economy, and ethics (due on Blackboard’s TurnItIn on 12/13 at 9 am). Students will take an excerpt of the research paper to turn it into a podcast audio clip (5 minutes) and transcript to share with the rest of the class (including musical selections and other creative components). Students will use the assignment guide and rubric to prepare the paper and podcast.
