Distinguished - Thesis is exceptionally well designed and focus is considerably more developed than the general topic. Thesis concerns one specific idea and expertly argues a position. Firm and succinct thesis statement is included at end of introductory paragraph or section regarding thesis development.

Proficient - Thesis is well designed and focus is more developed than the general topic. Thesis concerns one specific idea and clearly argues a position. Distinct thesis statement is included at end of introductory paragraph or section regarding thesis development.

Basic - Thesis is adequately designed. Focus is more developed than the general topic, but is vague or unclear. Thesis concerns one specific idea. Thesis either neglects to argue a position, or no distinct thesis statement is included at end of introductory paragraph or section regarding thesis development.

Below Expectations - Thesis development is attempted, but is either too vague or confusing. Topic is chosen, but thesis concerns more than one major idea, neglects to argue a position on the topic, or does not narrow focus beyond the general topic. No distinct thesis statement is included at end of introductory paragraph or section regarding thesis development.

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

Distinguished - Comparison provides a comprehensive discussion of the similarities and differences in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. Effectively draws upon references from the required readings and/or scholarly sources to support claims in a thorough manner.

Proficient - Comparison provides a discussion of the similarities and differences in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. Adequately utilizes source materials from the required readings and/or scholarly sources. Some details could be more fully developed.

Basic - Comparison provides a limited discussion of the similarities and differences in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. References are drawn from the required readings and/or scholarly sources, but they are either minimal, or the quotations are over-utilized.

Below Expectations - Comparison attempts to provide a relevant discussion in terms of similarities and differences in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. Sources are not from the required or recommended texts, and they are either not of university-level standards or are not relevant to the discussion.

Non-Performance - The discussion of similarities and differences is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - The explanation provides a comprehensive discussion of factors that allowed Italian Fascists and Nazis to come to power. Effectively draws upon refrerences from the required readings and/or scholarly sources to support claims in a thorough manner.

Proficient - The explanation provides an engaging discussion of factors that allowed Italian Fascists and Nazis to come to power. Adequately utilizes reference materials from the required readings and/or scholarly sources. Some details could be more fully developed.

Basic - The explanation provides a limited discussion of factors that allowed Italian Fascists and Nazis to come to power. References are drawn from the required readings and/or scholarly sources, but are either minimal, or quotations are over-utilized.

Below Expectations - The explanation attempts to provide a relevant discussion of factors that allowed Italian Fascists and Nazis to come to power. Sources are not from the required or recommended texts and are either not of university level standards or not relevant to the discussion.

Non-Performance - The explanation of factors allowing Italian Fascists and Nazis to come to power is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - The explanation provides a comprehensive discussion of the ultimate goals of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. Effectively draws upon references from the required readings and/or scholarly sources to support claims in a thorough manner.

Proficient - The explanation provides a discussion of the ultimate goals of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany and adequately utilizes reference materials from the required readings and/or scholarly sources. Some details could be more fully developed.

Basic - The explanation provides a limited discussion of the ultimate goals of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. Sources are drawn from the required or recommended texts, but are either minimal, or quotations are over-utilized.

Below Expectations - The explanation attempts to provide a relevant discussion of the ultimate goals of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. Sources are not from the required or recommended texts and either are not of university level standards or not relevant to the discussion.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the ultimate goals of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - The explanation of the role of women in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany is comprehensive and rich in detail. Effectively draws upon references from the required readings and/or scholarly sources to support claims in a thorough manner.

Proficient - The explanation of the role of women in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany is engaging and adequately utilizes reference materials from the required readings and/or scholarly sources. Some details could be more fully developed.

Basic - The explanation of the role of women in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany is minimal. References are drawn from the required readings and/or scholarly sources, but are either minimal, or quotations are over-utilized.

Below Expectations - The explanation of the role of women in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany is attempted. Sources are not from the required or recommended texts and are either not of university level standards or not relevant to the discussion.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the role of women in Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and clearly reflect an informed evaluation and the ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Proficient - Conclusions and related outcomes are logical and reflect an informed evaluation and the ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Basic - Conclusions and related outcomes are identified and minimally reflect an informed evaluation and the ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

Below Expectations - Conclusions and related outcomes are not logical or reflective of an informed evaluation and the ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.

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 - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

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.

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.