Assignments and Evaluations

As a team, you will produce ONE policy memo that addresses the assigned policy problem. Each team member must contribute to the production of the policy memo. The policy memo must be between 2500 and 3000 words (see rubric below for additional details). Prior to turning in the final draft, your team will turn in a rough draft during week 12. The primary focus of the tutoring sections will be to generate steady progress toward the completion of a comprehensive and informative policy memo. Over the course of the semester, we will discuss in great detail the purpose of constructing a policy memo, the specific requirements of this policy memo, and strategies for producing a comprehensive and well-designed memo.

Important Dates for the Policy Memo:

Week of October 29: There is no Lecture on October 29, instead there will be extended office hours for groups to discuss the policy memo draft.

Week of November 5: Draft is due by 5pm the day after your tutoring section meets. The draft should be at least 1250 words in length (this is half the minimum required for the final draft). 

December 7, 2018: Final memo is due by 9pm on Dec. 7

(PLO 1, 3, 4, 5)

The policy briefing is an oral report based on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of your memo. Often, an oral report is given as either a complement to or a replacement of a written report or memo. In this class, your policy briefing will complement your written memo. Your policy briefing will be given during your tutorial section in the week of December 3, 2018. In a policy briefing you do not simply read your memo, instead, you offer a crystallized and more succinct version of the problem, key findings, and conclusion/recommendations. You will also be responsible for answer questions asked by your tutoring section head. Your group may designate a single person to give the main policy briefing, but all members should be well-versed in the material and able to answer questions. Where your team deems it appropriate, you may want to develop and include visual aids (e.g. PowerPoint slides, handouts, etc.) to support your policy briefing. (See the Policy Briefing rubric below for specific requirements and expectations.)

(PLO 1, 3, 4, 5)

Attendance at both the lecture and tutoring sessions are highly encouraged and necessary to perform well in the class--both as an individual and as a member of your team. Participation points will be assigned in both the lecture and tutoring sections. One participation point can be earned in each lecture and tutoring section. Participation points in lecture will be earned through the use of iClickers (see below for more detail on iClickers).

You are allowed 2 unexcused absences from lecture and 1 unexcused absence from your tutoring section. Any unexcused absence beyond those outlined above, will impact your final grade (please see the final grade rubric below for more detail). Excused absences include those relating to an illness, injury, or similar events/emergencies. If you are unable to attend class for any of the above or similar issues, please let me and your instructor know as soon as possible.

If you have religious or civic obligations, e.g. jury duty, and cannot attend a lecture or tutoring section, let me and your instructor know in advance.

Working well on a team is essential to performing well in HSC 400. The primary deliverables (i.e. the Policy Memo and Policy Briefing) are team assignments and will be completed as a team. In all teamwork settings, it is critically important to be a responsible and responsive team member. Learning how to become a better team member and learning how to solve problems in a group setting are important skills well beyond HSC 400. Your team work will be assessed using CATME. Your teamwork grade will be determined by averaging your scores for the entire quarter (seeing grading rubric below). In addition, because working well in a team is a learned and practiced skill, demonstrating improvement over the semester, which is demonstrated by improving scores from one survey to the next, will also be considered when determining your final teamwork grade.

(PLO 2, 3)

You must complete all CATME surveys within the designated time period. There will be 1 Team Maker Survey and 4 Team Assessment Surveys during the semester.The surveys are essential to team productivity. The surveys allow you, your team, and the instructors to identify areas of strength upon which to build, as well as to identify challenge areas that can be addressed in order to increase team and individual productivity. If you do not complete one survey, one half letter grade will be deducted from your final grade (e.g. an A becomes an A-). If you do not complete two surveys you will lose a full letter grade (e.g. an B becomes a C). If you do not complete three surveys, two full letter grades will be deducted from you final grade (e.g. a B becomes a D). If you do not complete any of the surveys, three full letter grades will be deducted from your final grade (e.g. an A becomes a D). I strongly recommend you and your team set reminders on your calendars for the dates of each survey.  

Please consult the weekly schedule to see the specific dates of surveys.

(PLO 2, 3)

Minimum Requirements to Receive a C:

Formatting:

Times New Roman 12pt

Single spaced

1 inch margins

Page numbers (centered)

Single space between paragraphs

Headings and subheadings in bold

[Date]

To: [Recipient name(s), official position(s)

From: [Your name(s), position]

Subject: [Brief description of the subject]

Content:

Contains an executive summary

Contains an introduction that states the memo’s purpose

Contains a conclusion

Contains a discussion with headings and sub-headings

Is responsive to the assignment or question

Presents accurate information

Has (at least) 15 relevant sources

Has 2500 words minimum (excluding references and executive summary)

Has no more than 3000 words (excluding references and executive summary)

Is free of major grammatical errors

Has few, minor spelling and grammatical errors

The following criteria will be evaluated to determine B to A:

Meets requirements of a C memo

Content:

Executive summary provides a clear, comprehensive, yet concise summary of memo

Contains an introduction that clearly and concisely states the memo’s purpose

Contains an introduction that provides an overview of the memo’s structure

Contains a conclusion that provides a concise review of the memo’s topic/thesis

Thoroughly reviews the available literature on the topic

Reviews relevant policy alternatives and existing policy approaches

Clearly addresses trade-offs between policy alternatives (including ethical implications)

The main argument, assessment, and/or contention of the memo is clear

Has a reasoned and logical structure (demonstrates understanding of how issue(s) fit together)

Flows smoothly from section to section (demonstrates competence constructing a narrative)

Uses appropriate and instructive headings and sub-headings

Is free of major digressions and irrelevant information

References and Citations:

Includes a diverse mix of references (e.g. government sources, peer reviewed articles, foundation reports, newspaper articles)

References provide a comprehensive review of the material (not just one side, reflects multiple views)

All references cited in-text are also cited in the reference section and vice-versa

References and in-text citations are in APA format

Introduces the topic clearly and concisely

States the purpose of the presentation with clarity

Identifies key data and evidence to support argument/assessment (bonus: properly citing source)

Provides collateral/supporting material as necessary (e.g. graphs, tables, charts)

Provides an effective and clear conclusion

Engages the audience (eye contact and annunciation)

Responds effectively to questions (even those you don’t know the answer to)

Dress in business casual attire

*Demonstrating a marked improvement in teamwork over the course of the semester will also be considered when determining final teamwork grade. For example, if a student’s overall average is between 0.85 and 0.89, but that student has demonstrated improvement over the semester, which can be indicated by increasing scores with each survey, that student may earn an A for teamwork.