Qualities of a good question/types of questions:
Questions that address the course learning goals: 1) a broadened foundational knowledge of key movements, films, filmmakers, technological developments, concepts and debates in contemporary cinema history 2) critical thinking about world cinematic cultures and the complex interplay between films, ideas, and power 3) an advanced ability to view films in their historical context and write critically about cinema
• Written clearly, proofread, organized in a clear and effective way (no more than 100 words)
• Questions that break down big ideas into multiple questions
• Open-ended questions that cannot simply be answered by a “yes” or a “no” or one word
• Divergent questions where there can be more than one acceptable answer
• Comparison questions that ask students to analyze how two or more things relate
• Questions that ask a student to historically contextualize their answers (i.e. how a film, movement, etc. relates to the historical context in which it was created)
• Questions that ask the student to apply the course material to a practical context (i.e. how this knowledge could be applied, for instance, by a present-day filmmaker)
• Argument-based questions that ask a student to take a stand and provide evidence for their argument
• Creative questions that ask a student to imagine producing or modifying something we’ve learned about (i.e. providing a new or alternative perspective or vision)
Qualities of a good response/types of responses:
• Written clearly, proofread, organized in a clear and effective way (no more than 300 words)
• Addresses the question directly (or questions, if in multiple parts)
• Demonstrates (even highlights) knowledge of the course materials
• Provides examples to back up response
• Constructively challenges the question (or poses a clarifying question or suggests a different perspective or interpretation)
• Expands on the question, making connections between the question and other course materials
• Demonstrates deep analytical and critical thinking (through a cultural studies lens)
Discussion Assignment Rubric
POINTS 8-10 5-7 1-4 0
Question -Relevant to course materials
-Critical and/or creative
-Well-written and clear
-Hits three or more of the “good quality” question recommendations listed above -Relevant to course materials
-Question is mostly clear, but could use some revision and/or proofreading
-Hits one or two of the “good quality” question recommendations listed above -posted a question, but not very relevant to course materials
-question not written clearly
- does not hit any of the “good quality” question recommendations listed above -no question posted
Response -Addresses question directly (and all its parts)
-Highlights knowledge of course materials
-Responds in a critical and/or creative way (as suggested in above list)
-Well-written, engaging to read -Addresses all or most of the question
-demonstrates knowledge of course materials
-could respond more critically and/or creatively (as was suggested in above list)
-writing mostly clear, but could use revision and/or proofreading -posted a response, but with minimum effort and/or with irrelevant remarks
-no critical or creative response (as was suggested in list above)
-poorly written -no response posted