GRADING RUBRIC for ASSIGNMENT I-1  on "My Ecological Footprint"
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 [NOTE: since this is your first assignment, the expectations for full credit are spelled out in some detail for you.]

As stated in FAQ #12:  The assignment should be legible and typed It should be in proper grammatical form, spelled correctly, expressed in complete sentences, clear, and "to-the-point")  It should be proofread and spellchecked and nothing in it should be plagiarized or inserted without proper citation of source.

The assignment is worth 10 pts distributed as follows:

Question

Points
available

Full Credit

Partial Credit

No Credit

# 1

1.0

correct values in all 3 blanks

hectares-to-acres calculation is incorrect but other values OK

incorrect values entered

# 2

0.5

correct value

--

incorrect value

# 3

0.5

Logical values for your Footprint (in acres) & correct values for USA average Footprint. The PRINTOUT of your RESULTS  is stapled to your assignment.

Something amiss with your Footprint values (e.g. used hectares not acres, or way out of typical range) but correct USA average values, but PRINTOUT is stapled to your assignment.

something amiss with your Footprint values & incorrect USA values

PRINTOUT is missing

# 4

1.0

Clear, well-worded paragraph that compares your Footprint with the USA average using complete sentences with proper grammar and spelling.  Paragraph addresses each of the following categories in the comparison: (i) total global acres, (ii) global acres by consumption category (i.e., carbon, food, housing, goods), and (iii)  Earth's needed.  The paragraph may also include some analysis of the reasons for the differences

Adequate paragraph that correctly compares your Footprint with the USA average, but may have incorrect grammar, spelling, or punctuation, and/or does not specifically addressing the comparison in each of the categories
(e.g. “mine was smaller in housing”)

No answer or simple, scantily worded comparison with little/no detail (e.g. “mine was larger”)

# 5

0.5

Correct value for selected country’s average Footprint  (in acres) and Earth's needed

Something amiss with value entered (e.g. used hectares not acres)

Incorrect value for selected country

# 6

1.0

as in #4, but for a comparison with the selected country

as in #4, but for a comparison with the selected country

as in #4

# 7

2.0

A clear, well-worded paragraph marked by thoughtful and original thinking on why the country selected makes such a difference in the individual Footprint calculated.  The paragraph’s speculation should include an understanding of how an individual’s Footprint is calculated in a given country and on possible reasons for why the country’s average Footprint is larger or smaller than that of the USA. 

Adequate paragraph that expresses some logical reasons, but may have incorrect grammar, spelling, or punctuation, be unclear, and/or not directly or completely answer the question.

No answer or unclear answer that doesn’t address the question.

# 8

0.5

Logical values for your future Footprint expressed in acres & Earth’s needed

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Something amiss with your future Footprint values

# 9

2.0

A clear, well-worded paragraph marked by thoughtful and original thinking that: (a)  describes your future life  (b) states HOW your future life's Footprint  is different from your current one, (c) specifies categories that will change and how, and (d) explains WHY your  projected lifestyle changes will make a difference in your Footprint.

Adequate paragraph that describes your future life and how it changes your Footprint values in one or more categories.  Does not adequately address WHY these changes alter the Footprint.  May have incorrect grammar, spelling, or punctuation, be unclear, and/or not directly or completely answer the question.

No answer or unclear answer that doesn’t address the question.

#10

1.0

RQ on the Syllabus & FAQ is completed befrore midnight, the night of Sep 3rd with a final score of 7/7

RQ on the Syllabus & FAQ is completed with a final score of 7/7, but not by the deadline

FQ on the Syllabus & FAQ is not completed by the deadline and/or does not achieve a score of 7/7