Grading Criteria
Over the course of the semester, students will complete three mini writing assignments that respond to some aspect of our conversation on race and speculative literature. These writing assignments are as follows:
- Mini Writing Assignment #1: Write a flash fiction piece that explores a speculative premise that correlates with a social issue. Upload onto class drive. (10%)
- Mini Writing Assignment #2: Using the comic panel templates as a guide (see class drive), create an illustrated narrative over the span of at least ten panels. The drawings need not be elaborate or in full color but should help communicate the message of your narrative. If working with print, be sure to upload images online. If working with video, please provide a link. (15%)
- Mini Writing Assignment #3: In class, you and your partner worked together to create joint timelines centered on a central figure, character, or object. Continue to develop your portion of the timeline in communication with your partner. (15%)
In writing groups of 3-4, each student will be responsible for providing thorough feedback for every member of their group following the submission of each mini writing assignment. Thorough feedback includes line edits made via Track Changes in addition to a 300-word letter detailing important aspects of your group member’s piece and clear explanations for suggested changes. As writers, we benefit tremendously from peer review and should use this opportunity to devote the time and attention to our group members’ work as we would want our own work to be received.
Revision Portfolio (25%)
Every student will work towards revising their mini writing assignments so that each piece intentionally includes a digital or interactive component. Over the course of the semester, we will have in-class tutorials on how to utilize different digital and interactive platforms that will enhance the ways we envision narrative, reading/viewing text, and presentation. Students will house their revised assignments on a digital portfolio platform suitable to their media, which includes but is not limited to Wordpress, Scalar, Vimeo, etc.
Each revision portfolio should be accompanied by a 500-word critical reflection that provides an overview of the portfolio contents and elaborate on how the contents connect with the themes of the course. This should also be housed on the same digital portfolio platform as well.
Presentation (5%)
As students work on their revision portfolio, they will present their work in progress during two presentation days towards the end of the course. The revision portfolio need not be complete by the presentation days, but students should have at least one of the mini writing assignments revised by their presentation date and be able to showcase a 10-minute portion of the work for the class. As part of a successful presentation, students should make arrangements with the instructor for any technical needs prior to their presentation date. They should also be prepared to discuss their project’s connection with themes and readings from this course, their platform choice to display their work, and explain their plans for continued revision.
Participation (10%)
Classroom discussion is an essential part to collaboratively learning about complex subject matters, especially pertaining to race and speculative literature. Participation in class discussion includes respectful engagement and exercise of deep listening of other classmates. Before sharing one’s opinion, it is good practice to be able to summarize a previous speaker’s standpoint and express how your views overlap or differ.
In addition to discussion, student participation also includes in-class writing, design, and group work.