Grading principles:

A-range marks indicate work whose excellence stands out. The work demonstrates thorough preparation, nuanced comprehension and synthetic ability, analytic insight and even originality. It is beautifully written and presented. This grade signifies exceptionally fine achievement within the already high standards expected of Cornell students.

B-range marks indicate skilful, thorough work at the high level of academic competence expected of Cornell students. The work demonstrates a good grasp of specific subject matter and knowledgeable reliance on the course materials, as well as the writer’s analytical engagement with the assignment. It is clearly written and sensibly structured.

C-range marks indicate work that evinces some preparation, general comprehension of the subject matter and assignment parameters, a degree of analytic effort and expressive skill. Such work measures up to the standards expected of Cornell students, but partially or inconsistently. It still requires significant improvement in one or several respects.

D-range marks indicate work that only barely qualifies for academic credit. The work is seriously flawed in terms of argument, structure, writing or presentation, pointing to problems in reading, comprehension, knowledge processing or preparation of the assignment. It does suggest that the writer has learned something and could, with proper investment of time and effort, meet the standards expected of Cornell students. Students should not, however, allow themselves to perform at this level over time.

A grade of F marks work that is unacceptable for academic credit by the standards expected of Cornell students. This grade does not necessarily mean that no work was done; it does mean that a student’s work fails to demonstrate even a minimum of effort, comprehension or engagement with the course materials. An F (or worse!) is also routinely assigned in cases of breach of the Code of Academic Integrity.

 

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Oren Falk, Associate Professor

Department of History, Cornell University

of24@cornell.edu

Page last updated on: 23 August, 2010