Grading Policies

Grading Weights

The final grade for this course depends upon the grades and scores earned on course components weighted as follows:

• 10%: Roll call and pop quizzes.
• 35%: 5 team projects.
• 15%: 3 individual homework.
• 25%: 2 midterm exams.
• 15%: Final exam.

Grades will be computed by rounding numerical percentages to the nearest integer and applying the following table:

Signature Team Projects

This course organizes students into “Clans” where a Leader earns a full-letter grade boost for successful team oversight, but all members share a collective fate during random “Audits.” In these audits, the instructor picks 1–2 members to explain the project’s logic; if they pass, the entire Clan receives 100%, but a failure caps the entire group’s grade at that individual’s performance level. This system emphasizes total team mastery, rewarding the fastest successful group with “Gold Status” exam points and allowing Clans to “boot” non-contributing members via a 60% majority vote. For more details, read on.

1. Clan Formation & Leadership

• Structure: Each Clan consists of one Leader and 3–4 Members.
• The Draft (Quiz 0): On Day 1, students complete Quiz 0 to nominate a Leader and a Co-leader. Self-nominations are allowed.
• Succession:
  • In the event of a tie, the Instructor decides.
  • The runner-up becomes the Co-leader.
  • If the primary Leader is disqualified (e.g., fails an audit or loses status), the Co-leader automatically assumes the role and perks.

2. The “Gatekeeper” Perks

Leaders are the backbone of the course. In recognition of their workload, they receive:

• The Prestige Perk: A one-letter grade increase on the final weighted grade (e.g., B → A).
• Leadership Endorsement: A formal recommendation letter from the Instructor upon request for any positions.
• The Qualification Requirement:
  • Leaders must pass their own Check-off with a Coach/Instructor one week prior to each project deadline.
  • Failure to qualify results in demotion to Co-leader.

3. The Member Sign-Off Process

Once a Leader is qualified, they check off members using a Digital Sign-Off Card (MS Forms).

• Explanation Phase: The member presents a truth table and a hand-drawn diagram.
• Stress Test: The Leader asks Instructor-provided “what-if” logic questions.
• Validity Window: Sign-offs are valid only until one week after the project due date.
• Accountability:
  • If a Leader signs off on a student who later fails an Instructor Audit, the Leader permanently loses Leader status.

4. The Raid: Random Audit Grading

Once the Clan is marked Ready, the Raid begins:

• Selection: The Instructor/Coach randomly selects 1–2 signed-off members (excluding booted members) for a face-to-face explanation.
• The Win: If the selected member(s) pass, the entire Clan earns 100%.
• The Risk (Grade Cap):
  • If a selected member fails, the entire Clan’s grade is capped at that member’s demonstrated performance level
    (e.g., 60% mastery → Clan grade capped at 60%).

5. The Booting Policy: Clan Protection

To prevent inactive members from jeopardizing the Clan’s audit grade, Clans may remove members.

• Requirement: A booting request must be approved by more than 60% of the Clan
  (e.g., 3 of 4 members, or 3 of 5).
• Process:
  • The Leader submits an official Booting Request Email to the Instructor describing the member’s lack of participation or mastery.
• Instructor Audit:
  • The Instructor investigates. If approved, the booted member is excluded from the Clan’s Random Audit for that project.
• Consequences:
  • The booted member receives 0% for the project.
  • To rejoin the Clan for the next project, the student must demonstrate 100% mastery of the missed content to the Instructor in a private session before the next project starts.

6. Gold Status (The Speed Bonus)

• Reward: For each project, the first Clan to submit a flawless package and complete all sign-offs earns Gold Status.
• Perk: +2 extra points on the next exam for all Clan members.
• The Steal:
  • If a Gold Status Clan fails its Audit, the status is revoked and awarded to the next fastest successful Clan.

7. Grading Rubric: The Raid Audit