What is Ungrading?

In the class, you’ll read, think, write, and collaborate with each other, completing work that is difficult to quantify or reduce to a single number or letter grade. Instead of assigning letters or numbers to your work, I’ll provide substantive feedback on every major assignment you submit and will indicate whether I think the submission is “complete” or needs to a redo.” I’ll also build in multiple opportunities for self- and peer-assessment throughout the semester.

There will be three major submissions in this course:

1. Your media audit
2. A media analysis
3. A media comparison

In the final self-assessment, you will make a case for what grade you think you should receive based on the evidence of your submitted assignments, overall class engagement, and my feedback. I will, in turn, provide my own assessment of your progress toward our learning goals. You will be documenting your achievements in the following areas:

• competency
• excellence
• growth
• risk taking

We will talk more about the evaluation procedures for the course, and why I use them, at the beginning of the semester, but I invite you to contact me with questions or concerns about this system at any time.