Darwiniana

I just got internet at my new flat!  That means I can surf to procrastinate grading my students essays...

The assignment (entitled Darwiniana) was to take a quote from Darwin and develop it into an essay.  I didn't make the assignment but I'm getting a kick out grading it.   One student handed her essay in rolled up tight in a bottle.  I haven't been able to pry it out yet, but she emailed me warning me that she'd forgotten to double space it.  I told her not to worry about it - at this point I'm still intrigued that the edges of the paper have obviously been burnt.  Is it a map to pirate treasure - or a senior-level college essay on Charles Darwin?

I can't wait to see how it rates for actual content.

I'm always bummed out by students at the opposite end of the spectrum, who don't give a rat's ass.  I got an essay late, by email, on Monday and it was a shambles.  I emailed the kid and asked if he'd forgotten an attachment (hint hint).  I was really hoping he'd email me back at the end of the day "oops here's my REAL essay", with an obviously doctored up version.  But instead he stopped by my office about an hour later and thanked me but said that was it, and it's only 6% of their grade anyway.  I just wanted to scream how THAT'S NOT THE POINT.  But instead I just shrugged and chucked his paper in the stack.

If that's how they want to play it then fine by me - I have a reputation to uphold anyway since last time I was a TA I got the nickname "the Hammer" from the other TAs for my harsh grading (I had the math question on the test - not my fault!).  I get the feeling I'll be considered forgiving no matter what here, though.  This is the grade rubric that the course administrator gave me earlier today:

85+ = A+

80-85 = A

75-80 = A-

70-75 = B+

65-70 = B

60-65 = B-

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No wonder I got a scholarship to come here!  But seriously, how relaxed is that?!  I need to go back now and re-mark some of the essays... I think at this point I'm giving almost everyone A+'s!