Grades will be based on the following, all of which are discussed in more detail in the assignments section of this site:

• Discussion Participation (chats and/or class weblog): 10%
  I expect you to respond to discussion questions posted on the class weblog, and/or participate in weekly chats (time to be determined during week one based on student availability)
• Lab Assignments: 10%
  Each week I'll assign an online activity, typically involving the use of one or more of the software tools we're discussing that week. After completing the assignment, you will need to post about it on your weblog--typically I will tell you what information should be posted (answers to questions, links to completed work, etc). Lab assignments should be completed by the end of the day on the Sunday following each week (so the week 1 assignment will be due by 11:59pm on Sunday, March 18). Some weeks there will not be a lab assignment. These are primarily a form of participation, so everyone will receive 9/10 points simply for fully completing the assignment. Work that is particularly well-written, insightful, or detailed may receive a 10/10. Work that fails to address all aspects of the assignment requirements, or that is turned in late, will receive deductions.
• Weekly Reviews: 20%
  You will need to choose one of the readings assigned each week to review on your blog. You will also need to find and review at least one additional reading on one of the topics for that week. The second reading can be, but does not have to be, from a peer-reviewed journal or conference. It could also be an online essay or blog post, a book or book chapter, or even an in-depth newspaper article. However, it should have some analytical content--a short news item describing a new software package, for example, would not be appropriate. When in doubt, ask me. Weekly reviews are due at the same time as lab assignments. I will assign grades for these at the end of week 4, week 7, and week 10--but I will also comment on the entries on an ongoing basis.
• Midterm Exam: 20%
  The midterm will be a take-home essay question exam, which you will have one week to complete. I will post the midterm exam at the end of week 5 (on Friday, April 13).
• Topical Literature Review: 40%
  Your major research project for the quarter will be an in-depth literature review of one topic related to the course material. You should submit your topic for approval no later than the end of the second week of the quarter. The literature review should be more than just a bibliography--it should include detailed reviews and analysis of the works you choose, and should cover the range of resources available on that topic.

Please note that the grade received for work that meets all assigned criteria is a "B". An "A" is reserved for work that clearly demonstrates MASTERY of the material, and an in-depth knowledge of the underlying theories. Late work will lose half a letter grade (5/100 points) per day.