Distinguished - Clearly and accurately selects two different societies or civilizations within the time frame covered in this course, and thoroughly, clearly, and accurately defines the categories that they will examine.

Proficient - Selects two different societies or civilizations within the time frame covered in this course, and defines the categories that they will examine. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Selects two different societies or civilizations within the time frame covered in this course, and partially defines the categories that they will examine. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Selects two different societies or civilizations within the time frame covered in this course, and attempts to define the categories that they will examine; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The selection of two different societies or civilizations within the time frame covered in this course and definition of the categories that they will examine are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Includes a draft of a distinct thesis statement that will serve as the main idea of their Final Project.

Proficient - Includes a draft of a thesis statement that will serve as the main idea of their Final Project. Minor details are missing, slightly unclear, or inaccurate.

Basic - Includes a draft of a limited thesis statement that will serve as the main idea of their Final Project. Relevant details are missing, unclear, and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to include a draft of a thesis statement that will serve as the main idea of their Final Project; however, significant details are missing, unclear, and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The draft of a thesis statement that will serve as the main idea of their Final Project is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly and accurately completes the worksheet as assigned.

Proficient - Completes the worksheet as assigned. Minor details are missing or slightly inaccurate.

Basic - Minimally completes the worksheet as assigned. Relevant details are missing and/or inaccurate.

Below Expectations - Attempts to complete the worksheet as assigned; however, significant details are missing and inaccurate.

Non-Performance - The completion of the worksheet as assigned is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Demonstrates consistent use of reliable, appropriate sources and/or evidence to support ideas that are situated within the discipline and genre of the writing.

Proficient - Demonstrates mostly consistent use of reliable sources that are appropriate to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer some support to the ideas in the writing. 

Basic - Demonstrates somewhat inconsistent use of sources that are mostly reliable to the discipline and genre of the writing. Sources offer little support to the ideas in the writing.

Below Expectations - Inconsistently utilizes sources and/or evidence that may be unrelated and offer little support to the ideas in the writing. 

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.