Exam Grading Standard
Exam answers should demonstrate that you understand all the logical relationships between all the relevant facts for that particular question. The deeper the understanding you demonstrate, the better your grade will be.
A perfect answer to any question would say absolutely everything a thoughtful person could possibly have to say about the topic. Your answers are not required to be perfect, but the more thoughtful and insightful your answers are, the better your grade will be.
An answer that merely demonstrates that you remember what some particular person says about some particular issue will generally receive points roughly equivalent to a grade of D.
An answer that demonstrates a superficial understanding of an issue, perhaps by explaining the issue and giving a basic account of one or more relevant arguments, but does no more than that, will generally receive points roughly equivalent to a grade of C.
An answer that demonstrates a deeper understanding of an issue, perhaps by explaining the issue and giving detailed step-by-step accounts of one or more relevant arguments, perhaps with pertinant illustrations, and/or other insightful comments, but does no more than that, will generally receive points roughly equivalent to a grade of B.
An answer that demonstrates a complete, or nearly complete understanding of an issue, including an understanding of the logical presuppositions, and especially the logical mistakes of various thinkers, or which otherwise demonstrates deep undertsanding and/or insight, will generally receive points roughly equivalent to a grade of A .
I urge you to pay special attention to instances where I point out that some philosopher has made a logical mistake. Understanding the reasons for and against saying that this philosopher is wrong about some deep point constitutes the deepest understanding you can have.
As with all other aspects of philosophy, there is a right answer to every question. Your answers are not required to be right, they are just required to demonstrate that you understand all the arguments on either side of the issue. One little logical mistake will not necessarily ruin your grade, even if it results in your conclusion being exactly the opposite to the right answer to that question. (For instance, if your answer claims that logos is just another form of mythos, that won't kill your chances of getting a good grade for that answer, provided that you demonstrate that you know what logos is, what mythos is, how logos is supposed to be different from mythos, how logos is supposed to be related to philosophy and to science, why this relationship is supposed to be significant, who says logos is just another form of mythos, why they say it, and can give the argument that defenders of logos can give in favor of the idea that logos is not just another form of mythos. You don't have to agree with the content of this course, but you do have to understand it.
Many of the topics in this class involve doctrines that are mistakenly supported or, more interestingly, mistakenly criticized by others. In such cases, understanding is best demonstrated by something like the following:
1. Explaining
a doctrine clearly and completely, including all relevant details and nuances.
2. Explaining at least one criticism of that doctrine clearly and completely.
3. Explaining clearly and completely why that criticism fails. (This will usually involve showing that the critic has made some unfounded logical assumption, has mischaracterized or misunderstood the doctrine he is criticising, or has made some other logical or factual mistake.)
It is pointing out people's real logical mistakes that does the most to demonstrate your understanding of an issue, so do your best to follow the logic of these issues all the way out to the end.
If you're not sure how to address an exam question, at least try to
fully explain and properly organize all the information relevant to the question. This will include a variety of ideas developed in response to the above questions in your personal reading and in class discussions.
Because I never deduct points, it never hurts to embellish your answers with your own comments, no matter how humorous or off-the-wall. And such comments can even help your grade, so don't be afraid to make them.
Copyright © 2005 by Martin C. Young
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