Christina Rader -- Materials Developed and Revised for Block 7, Spring 2020

EC 327: Judgment and Decision Making

Syllabus** linked here

Welcome Video

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mvarocb7da7z7gm/Welcome%20video%20v2.mp4?dl=0

Discussion Guide2.1 linked here

** Please note that hashtags in Canvas discussions (mentioned in the syllabus) did not end up working as hoped.

Among many thoughtful choices, Christina's syllabus gives a great example of how to use contract grading. Blocks 7 & 8 could be especially good times to try contract grading with students who are experiencing a lot of uncertainty in other important areas of their lives.

From Christina's syllabus: This approach is called contract grading and is celebrated for courses where practice rather than evaluation is of primary concern, such as writing courses. See, for example: Hiller, T. B., & Hietapelto, A. B. (2001). Contract grading: Encouraging commitment to the learning process through voice in the evaluation process. Journal of Management Education, 25(6), 660-684.

From Christina:

I’m happy to share my syllabus, welcome video, and discussion guide but I can’t say that anything is “successful” because I haven’t tried it yet. A few students have reviewed the syllabus so far and have given me positive comments, but who knows if it will actually work.  If we call it an experiment, I’m happy with that.

Best,

Christina

For more on contract grading see also:

Danielewicz, J., & Elbow, P. (2009). A unilateral grading contract to improve learning and teaching. College Composition and Communication, 244-268. (JSTOR link)

Dougherty, R. C. (1997). Grade/performance contracts, enhanced communication, cooperative learning and student performance in undergraduate organic chemistry. Journal of Chemical Education, 74(6), 722.

Inoue, Asao B. (2019). Labor-Based Grading Contracts: Building Equity and Inclusion in the Compassionate Writing Classroom. Perspectives on Writing. The WAC Clearinghouse; University Press of Colorado. https://wac.colostate.edu/books/perspectives/labor/