Posted: November 23rd, 2022

FSC635 (Forensic Anthropology)

FSC635 (Forensic Anthropology)
Threaded Discussion Board Guidance
Participation in Class Discussions – Scoring
Posted messages should be significant – helping the discussion move forward. There are a variety of
ways to do this, including:
• Providing concrete examples, perhaps from your own experience (I THOROUGHLY enjoy
reading these)
• Describing possible consequences or implications
• Challenging something that has been posted in the discussion – perhaps by playing
“devil’s advocate”
• Posing a clarifying question
• Suggesting a different perspective or interpretation
• Pulling in related information from other sources – books, articles, websites, other
courses, etc.
Your participation score will be based on the number and quality of messages you post to the
discussion. Participation will be evaluated in terms of quality as well as quantity and based on the
following principles:
Timeliness and quantity of discussion responses: you are expected to post an initial (new thread)
response to each discussion question during the four-week course (8 discussion questions in total/2
discussion responses due each week). You are also required to post one subsequent response to an
initial response (thread) posted by a fellow classmate for each discussion question. All responses are due
by 11:59 PM PST on the due date, unless otherwise posted. Each discussion question is worth 5 points
total.
Responsiveness to discussion topic and demonstration of knowledge and understanding from
assigned readings. We’ll look for evidence that readings were understood and incorporated into
discussion as it relates to topic.
Ability of postings to move discussion forward. Posts should add significantly to the discussions (e.g.
identifying important relationships, offering a fresh perspective or critique of a point; offers supporting
evidence).
Protocol for posting threads and contributing to an online discussion are as follows:
• Postings should be a minimum of one to two short paragraphs (~5 sentences each) and a
maximum of four paragraphs.
• Avoid postings that are limited to ‘I agree’ or ‘great idea’, etc. If you agree (or disagree) with a
posting, then say why you agree by supporting your statement with concepts from the readings
or by bringing in a related example or experience.
• You are required to cite your sources for each initial discussion post (no specific citation format
required). You grade will be deducted one point if no citation is provided.
A final guideline for postings- make sure your posted comments are CRISP:
Considerate. You may have strong views and will want to express those views. That’s great- but
remember that others may have equally strong views that are the polar opposite of your views. Feel free
to question, challenge, or disagree with anything in the discussion, but do so in a respectful, considerate
way.
Reflective. An asynchronous discussion may lack the spontaneity of a live discussion. But this can be an
advantage. There is more time to think before responding. Take the time to think about the ideas that
have been expressed (in the readings and the discussion) from the perspective of your own experience.
Then add your own comments and insights.
Interactive. Remember that you’re a participant in a discussion and talk with one another. Cut and paste
parts of a previous messages into your message. The idea is to be interactive, not just active.
Succinct. Get to the point. Short, focused message are usually more effective than long comments.
Pertinent. Comments and questions should be related to the discussion topic. There will be times when
you want to talk with someone about something unrelated to the topic. That’s fine, but this is not the
place to do that. When you enter into the discussion threads, please remember that you’re in a
classroom, not a chat room.

Order | Check Discount