Your course grade will be determined by how well you show your understanding of course materials through your work on assignments and assessments, according to the following:
| Assignment | Points |
|---|---|
Quizzes The module chapters will reinforce your reading comprehension and overall understanding of the topics covered in each module. These quizzes will only address learned material from the textbook. Graded quizzes can reinforce your understanding of the fundamental concepts and theories. |
160 |
Discussions The discussion activities are designed to help you engage deeply with the assigned readings and apply them to sociological issues. A key objective is to foster interaction among students to enhance critical thinking and understanding of course concepts and theories. These discussions will also help you prepare for written assignments and proctored assessments. Online discussions give you the opportunity to reflect on the readings, connect them to your own experiences, and thoughtfully develop your ideas. All posts on the discussion board are expected to be thoughtful, reflective, and concise and reflect your original thinking and engagement with the course material. |
40 |
Assignments The assignments include a short video presentation and several writing tasks that allow you to explore real-world social issues. These activities are designed to give you the opportunity to examine key concepts learned in the course, strengthen critical skills such as reading comprehension, research, and writing, and encourage you to apply a sociological perspective to the world around you. |
110 |
Journals The purpose of the journal entries is to promote critical thinking about real-life social issues. Rather than simply expressing how you feel, focus on explaining why you feel that way—using course concepts as a foundation. Your reflections should be grounded in ideas drawn from the assigned videos, scholarly articles, or textbook readings. To support your points, include relevant data and evidence from both the textbook and the assigned materials. |
40 |
Proctored Exams (Major Assessments)* The proctored exams provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of the course material. You can find the information on how to take proctored assessments in the Taking Proctored Assessments section of the Syllabus.
*60% combined average on the proctored assessments required to pass the course |
250 |
| Total | 600 |
In order to maintain compliance with our accreditation standards, NOVA Online proctored or major assessments require identity verification. Proctored or major assessments must prove identity, and students must show overall passing levels on those assessments in order to pass the course.
In this online course, if your average score on all proctored or major assessments is a passing percentage of 60 percent or higher, then your grade will be calculated according to the scale in the table below. Otherwise, a final grade of F will be assigned.
| Grade | Percent |
|---|---|
| A | 90-100 |
| B | 80-89.9 |
| C | 70-79.9 |
| D | 60-69.9 |
| F | 0-59.9 |