Distinguished - The paper is logically organized with a well-written introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion.

Proficient - The paper is logically organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. One of these requires improvement.

Basic - The paper is organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require improvement.

Below Expectations - The paper is loosely organized with an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. The introduction, thesis statement, and/or conclusion require much improvement.

Non-Performance - The introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides an exceptionally thorough and insightful discussion of how the two contemporary cultures approach the topic. The discussion includes several specific ethnographic examples for each culture that are relevant to the topic and enhance the discussion.

Proficient - Provides a reasonably insightful discussion of how the two contemporary cultures approach the topic; however, the discussion lacks minor details for one or both cultures under review. The discussion includes at least two specific ethnographic examples for each culture that are relevant to the topic and enhance the discussion.

Basic - Provides a somewhat insightful discussion of how the two cultures approach the topic; however, the discussion lacks relevant details or uses inappropriately broad culture areas (i.e., Africa or Asia) for one or both of the two required cultures. The discussion includes at least one ethnographic example for each culture that is relevant to the topic and enhances the discussion.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss how at least one culture approaches the topic; however, the discussion lacks significant details, ethnographic examples, and/or insight into how the culture(s) approach the topic.

Non-Performance - The discussion of how the two cultures approach the topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively compares and contrasts how the two cultures approach the topic. The analysis is written from a culturally relativistic perspective and all conclusions are supported by scholarly sources.

Proficient - Compares and contrasts how the two cultures approach the topic; however, minor details required for a comprehensive comparative analysis of the two cultures are missing. The analysis is written from a culturally relativistic perspective and almost all conclusions are supported by scholarly sources.

Basic - Compares and contrasts how the two cultures approach the topic; however, details required for an effective comparative analysis of the two cultures are missing. The analysis is written from a mostly culturally relativistic perspective and most conclusions are supported by scholarly sources.

Below Expectations - Compares and contrasts how the two cultures approach the topic; however, major details required for a comparative analysis of the two cultures are missing, the analysis is not written from a culturally relativistic perspective, and/or most conclusions are not supported by scholarly sources.

Non-Performance - The comparative analysis of how the two cultures approach the topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a thorough and perceptive discussion of how the topic relates to the general cultural context, possibly including kinship, division of labor, gender roles, economic organization, political organization and/or symbolic systems.

Proficient - Provides a somewhat thorough and perceptive discussion of how the topic relates to the general cultural context, possibly including kinship, division of labor, gender roles, economic organization, political organization and/or symbolic systems.

Basic - Provides a limited discussion of how the topic relates to the general cultural context, possibly including kinship, division of labor, gender roles, economic organization, political organization and/or symbolic systems.

Below Expectations - Attempts to discuss how the topic relates to the general cultural context, possibly including kinship, division of labor, gender roles, economic organization, political organization, and symbolic systems; however, significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - The discussion of the cultural context of the chosen topic is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly recognizes the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

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 basic 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. Quotations are used minimally or not at all. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. Quotations are used appropriately. 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 and/or uses some unnecessary quotations. Some sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment, but citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses inadequate number of sources, providing little or no support for ideas, and/or uses quotations excessively. Sources used may not be scholarly, sources on the reference page may not be used within the body of the assignment, and citations may not be formatted correctly.

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.