SOC/CJS 321- Journal Assignment Rubric

This rubric is designed to give students guidance about what is expected of them in terms of how their journal assignments are evaluated. The numbers will also be used as a “short-hand” method to make comments on your journals. In order to receive a grade in the "A" range, all criteria must be met with at least a "3" and two of the criteria (including "Analysis of the Interaction Between Law and Society") must receive a "4". In order to receive a grade in the "B" range, at least three of the criteria (including "Analysis of the Interaction Between Law and Society") must be met with at least a "3" and none can receive less than a "2." Any critique with one or more of the criteria met with a "1" is likely to receive a failing grade.

	Excellent (4)	Good (3)	Poor (2)	Very Poor (1)
Style	The journal entry is well written in clear and grammatically correct English with correct word usage. Sentences are well written and flow logically.	The journal entry is, for the most part, well written in clear and grammatically correct English.	The journal entry has a significant number of grammatical errors and/or incorrect word choices.	The entry is poorly written and hard to understand with many grammatical errors and misused words.
Follows instructions	The journal entry analyzes the correct number of articles or issues, includes copies of those where appropriate and responds to all of the instructor's comments and questions from the previous set of entries. The specifed font and margins are used.	The journal entry analyzes the correct number of articles or issues, includes copies of those where appropriate and responds to most of the instructor's comments and questions from the previous set of entries. The specified margins are used.	The journal entry analyzes the correct number of articles or issues, includes copies of those where appropriate, and responds to some of the instructor's comments and questions from the previous set of entries. The specified font and margins may not be used.	The journal entry analyzes fewer than the correct number of articles or issues and/or does not include appropriate copies and/or does not respond to the instructor's comments and questions from the previous set of entries. The specified font and margins may not be used.
Selection of Materials	Issues presented are highly relevant to course material.	Issues presented are relevant to course material.	Issues presented are somewhat relevant to course material.	Issues presented are not relevant to course material.
Analysis of the Interaction Between Law and Society	The journal uses a completely appropriate and helpful concept from the class to analyze the legal issue and uses it appropriately and creatively	The journal uses a somewhat appropriate and helpful concept from the class to analyze the legal issue and uses it appropriately.	The journal uses a somewhat problematic or inappropriate concept or a superficial one to analyze the legal issue.	The journal does not really analyze the legal issue it presents.