Doug Thiel

Grading Considerations

This page attempts to outline the concerns students have with regards to a course grade.  Philosophically, the goal of education is not a GPA.  It involves self-discovery and the enrichment that occurs when one explores new ideas and ways of thinking.  But, in real, practical terms, the GPA is the "measuring stick" and it is important as one seeks additional academic goals.  Understandably, this is a area of legitimate concern for all students.  First of all I will provide the contents of a hand-out that I developed for the students in the Philosophy Video Telecourse regarding "papers".  The following comments apply to all "papers" written for the philosophy classes that I teach.   After this material, please scroll down for some further observations.

Papers that receive an A grade--in these papers the following criteria is met or exceeded.

• Clear development of an unambiguous thesis statement in the first paragraph.
• Multiple and sufficient reasons for subscribing to this thesis in the following paragraphs. All reasons stay relevant (there is no rambling or unnecessary digressions). Coherent from beginning to end.
• Good use of the videos and text. The use of proper terminology, i.e., "dualism", functionalism" , "behaviorism" etc, when appropriate. This also indicates your familiarity with these terms. This does not mean that you define these terms (as in a research paper). Rather, you utilize these terms because you know what they mean and how they relate to your argument.
• Good use of the names of the Philosophers. Once again, this is not about footnotes (I said you didn't need them). Rather it is about dialogue. If you have read and understood the text, you will automatically recall and use the names of the philosophers as you develop your argument.
• Sensitivity to the counter-argument. Remembering that your thesis is subject to a counter-thesis, you demonstrate that you understand the rational force of the opposing viewpoint. You indicate how your thesis "holds up" to the counter-thesis.
• Avoids the pitfalls of "appeals to authority". Example, "I believe this is the truth because it says so in the Bible". Or I believe this is the truth "because I read it in my science book."  Philosophy is an examination of what counts as a foundation for knowledge.  And neither a strict religious foundation nor a strict scientific foundation is left unquestioned.  This becomes increasingly important for future papers. This Intro class is not designed to call one's faith into question. One may enjoy an ardent faith as regards a particular religion or as regards a discrete scientific model.  However, as we indicated in the orientation session, we will "bracket-out" pre-conceptions... and concentrate on "human reasoning and understanding" as the basis for our thesis and arguments. This is a very subtle point.
• Avoids "mere opinion" (unsupported by sound reasoning). This takes the form of "I believe..." trailing off into mere speculation about things without due consideration of the philosophical thinking that has been conducted in the last two thousand years. Often this occurs when one gives an "autobiography" of personal experiences as the basis for your belief system. Life experiences are important and foundational. However, this course is concerned with understanding various "theories" which transcend time and place (and the experiences of any one individual

Papers that receive a B grade are papers that were successful in most areas but which fell short in one or two of the areas indicated above. (Papers that receive C-F grades are papers that continued to be less successful in their inclusion of the above elements).

Further considerations

In courses that I teach in which there is classroom attendance (non-telecourses) ...attendance is important and it does figure into your overall grade.  Classroom decorum, participation and the respect you show for other students is also a factor.

If I had to single out the one thing that I think hurts students in terms of grades...it is lack of study.  Philosophy is a discipline.  It requires reading.  It requires that you learn terminology (that is not used in other classes).  You most focus and give this material the consideration it deserves.  It is not possible to just "wing it"...to write papers and take the tests without having studied the materials at hand.

Philosophy is a challenge and one should enjoy this type of pursuit.  It is not a matter of memorization or of just looking and then "finding" the right answer.  Philosophers have disagreed over many important issues.  There is no one philosopher who is considered the "source".  Philosophers tend to give careful consideration to the counter-arguments and then attempt to develop positions that they feel are cogent.  You will be tasked with a similar pursuit.  You approach the material with an open-mind...you have read and studied...you have attended the class sessions and participated in the discussions...you have reflected on the issues.  You decide upon a thesis for your paper than you choose to defend.  You don't wait until the last minute and write everything down in a flurry.  You craft...re-design...re-organize...re-think and then you produce a quality piece of work.  One that you will want to claim ownership of in a year from now.

This means you have the time management to complete your work ahead of schedule.  This is not an easy thing...since you have competing interests (the world moves on while you are in college course and most folks have work and family issues that need attention).  By setting aside the appropriate time to study and to write...and avoiding procrastination...your work in this course will benefit.  You will have less anxiety if you employ wise study habits and your grade will be reflective of your best efforts.