Assignments and Evaluation
There are multiple ways of learning, as well as plenty of opportunities for students to explore different routes to individual learning objectives in this course. The diverse assignment options provide each student with sufficient chances to try out and engage in different learning activities as they progress towards the goals. Further instructions on each of the assignments will be provided.
- Leading Discussion (150 pts)
Students will form groups of two to present and lead a discussion on the required readings once in the semester. A discussion handout or slides are required which should be posted on the course site by NOON of the day before. Schedule to be decided in class.
- Recap (100 pts + 100 bonus pts)
One student will prepare a brief recap (3-5 mins) of the previous class using any genre of their choice (including but not limited to oral presentation, video, podcast, song, e-poster, etc.) at the beginning of each session. The recap should also incorporate the discussion questions and responses posted by other students on the online discussion board. Schedule to be decided in class.
Bonus: Upload the product on the online discussion board. One recap that receives the most “likes” by peers and instructors will receive 100 bonus points.
- Reading Reflections & Discussion Questions (150 pts+ 150 bonus pts)
Three brief (roughly 1.5 page, double-spaced) summaries of required readings, with critical evaluation and discussion of the issues that the reading raises. Include also at least one discussion question inspired by the assigned reading. Students may choose the paper that they present in class as part of this requirement. The reading reflections should be posted on the discussion board by MIDNIGHT of the day before that paper is scheduled to be discussed.
Bonus: Read and respond to other students’ reading responses and discussion questions in a relevant and substantial manner (while the responses don’t have to be long, please refrain from casual chatting only). One student who contributes the most responses by the end of the semester will receive 150 bonus points.
- Participation in In-class/Online Discussion & Field Trip (200 points)
Active participation through attendance and contributions to in-class and online discussion. Attendance at classes is strictly required, except in extenuating circumstances. The field trip (AMAM museum visit) is mandatory for all.
- Linguistic Projects (300 pts)
During the course of the class, there will be three short papers (5-6 pages) designed to integrate or apply what has been discussed so far.
| Assignment #1 AMAM Museum Project: The Evolution of Chinese Scripts | Due: 10/2 |
| Assignment #2 Chinese Dialects and Language Attitude | Due: 10/19 |
| Assignment #3 Performance Watch: Chinese Bilingualism | Due: 11/19 |
- Avatar Project and Portfolio (due 11:59 p.m., December 14) (200 points)
Each student will create, and present in class, a Chinese-speaking avatar to explore how human beings constantly construct who we are using the languages we speak. As a final product, the portfolio of the Chinese-speaking avatar should comprise a name, an avatar image, the demographic information and linguistic background of the avatar, concrete examples of their linguistic practices and ideologies, and a discussion of how their “Chinese” identities are linguistically created, re-shaped, and contested when juxtaposed with perceptions from both local and global perspectives.
Grading Policies
Grade Scale
A+ (990-1000) A (950-980) A- (900-940)
B+ (870-890) B (830-860) B- (800-820)
C+ (770-790) C (730-760) C- (700-720)
D+ (670-690) D (630-660) F (below 630)
Students must request an extension at least 12 hours before the deadline of the assignment. Late submission without prior permission will be reduced by one grade-step for each day that the assignment is late. For example, a paper due on Oct. 14 turned in on Oct. 15 will get a “B-” instead of the “B” that it merited; if it is turned in on Oct. 16, it will get a “C+”, etc.
Students may request an Incomplete in the class ONLY to complete the Avatar project. To be eligible to be assigned an Incomplete, a student must have submitted all other work by 4:30 p.m. on December 12, the last day of the Reading Period.
Criteria for grading: leading discussion and participating in class discussions
Each student will be graded on his or her performance of leading and participating in classroom discussions as follows.
A Demonstrates thorough understanding of the topic and the direction of the discussion, having fully comprehended the reading assignments, if any, and having followed the presentations and comments by the instructor and/or classmates. Actively participates in discussions by responding readily, clearly and accurately to questions, posing appropriate and timely questions, and offering appropriate insights.
A- Demonstrates adequate understanding of the topic and the direction of the discussion, having adequately comprehended the reading assignments, if any, and having followed the presentation and comments by the instructor and/or classmates. Actively participates in discussion by responding readily, if at times somewhat unclearly or inaccurately, to questions, posing appropriate questions, and offering appropriate insights.
B Demonstrates some understanding of the topic and the direction of the discussion, having some comprehension of the reading assignments, if any, and having followed the presentation and comments by the instructor and/or classmates. Participates in discussion by responding to questions and offering appropriate insights when asked.
C Demonstrates minimal understanding of the topic and the direction of the discussion, not having comprehended the assigned readings, or being unable to follow the presentations and comments by the instructor and/or classmates. Participates in discussion minimally due to a lack of comprehension, an inability to synthesize or form an opinion, or disinterest.
D Demonstrates minimal understanding of the topic and the direction of the discussion, not having comprehended the assigned readings, or being unable to follow the presentations and comments by the instructor and/or classmates. Fails to participate in discussion beyond the perfunctory level.
F Absence.