Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes four sub-topics related to the chosen topic, two from before 1945 and two from after 1945. Effectively utilizes course concepts and sources to support the analysis.

Proficient - Analyzes four sub-topics related to the chosen topic, two from before 1945 and two from after 1945. Utilizes course concepts and sources to support the analysis, but the analysis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Partially analyzes four sub-topics related to the chosen topic. Somewhat utilizes course concepts and sources to support the analysis, but and the analysis is underdeveloped and/or all subtopics do not correspond to the correct time periods.

Below Expectations - Analyzes less than four sub-topics, and does not utilize course concepts and sources to support the analysis. The analysis is significantly underdeveloped and the subtopics do not correspond to the correct time periods.

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

Distinguished - Effectively assesses how events related to the topic changed over time and comprehensively explains how those changes occurred.

Proficient - Assesses how the events related to the topic change over time and explains how those changes occurred. The assessment or explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Somewhat assess how events related to the topic changed over time and partially explains how those changes occurred. The assessment and/or explanation are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to asses how the events related to the topic change over time and explain how those changes occurred; however, the assessment and explanation are significantly underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - Provides an engaging introductory paragraph and includes a succinct thesis statement with a brief, objective forecast of the research, analysis, and conclusions to follow in the body.

Proficient - Provides an introductory paragraph and includes a thesis statement, with a forecast of the research, analysis, and conclusions to follow in the body. The introduction or thesis is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a limited introductory paragraph and includes a partial thesis statement with some information of the research, analysis, and conclusions to follow in the body. The introduction and/or thesis are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Provides an introductory paragraph that is confusing and/or redundant and does not include a thesis statement with out any indication of the research, analysis and conclusions to follow in the body. The introduction and thesis are significantly underdeveloped.

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

Distinguished - The information is organized effectively and logically flows from the thesis regarding chronology and theme.

Proficient - The information logically flows from the thesis, but could be organized more effectively regarding chronology or theme.

Basic - The information is partially organized and somewhat flows from the thesis regarding chronology and theme.

Below Expectations - The information is not organized and attempts to flow from the thesis but does not follow the chronology or a theme.

Non-Performance - The organization of the topics 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 - 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.