Rubric for Reading Journal

The readings for HMXP 102 can be challenging and complex. The reading journal will encourage your role as an active participant and learner by offering a means for digesting and processing the reading material as you seek to explore the concept of “self.” As an engaged critical thinker and writer, you will also reflect on the various perspectives presented in order to form your own ideas.

You should complete the journal entry for the assigned readings prior to coming to class. You are also encouraged to add notes to your journal as you hear your peers’ ideas. The journal will also foster ideas for writing assignments. You should complete one entry for each required reading for this course. Each journal entry is worth 10 points and those collected will be averaged together to account for 10 percent of your final grade. Journals are due at the beginning of class and late journals will not be accepted. If you are absent on the day that a journal is collected, you can still receive credit by emailing the journal entry to me prior to the beginning of class. Late journals will not be accepted.

The journal should address the four areas below. Please use a similar format to the one below. You should have clearly defined sections (clear labels, bullets, space between sections, etc). You are strongly encouraged to type the journal entries – but it is not required.

1. Define Important Vocabulary (2 points)  Seek to expand your knowledge by defining new words or vocabulary that is essential to your comprehension of the reading. As you can, use the reading to define vocabulary. This is not about copying definitions from the dictionary. Be thoughtful. What vocabulary is essential to the reading? Look at the title…how does Bohm define “communication” for ex? 2. Outline Author’s Main Points (3 points)  Outlining the author’s main ideas requires you become an active reader. Work to paraphrase the author’s ideas. Putting the ideas into your own words will increase your comprehension. What is the basis of the argument? What are the supporting ideas? Do not omit ideas that are vital for understanding the argument. Remember that you will also be writing argumentative essays….there are some good examples here. 3. Reaction/Response (3 Points)  Providing a thoughtful reflection of the reading will strengthen your critical thinking skills and will make for more interesting class discussions. This is your chance to agree or disagree with the authors and to take their ideas beyond the written page. What do you think about the ideas presented? What does this reading make you think about? What are the implications of these ideas for the society at large? Be specific and offer concrete examples. Rather than a general approach, pick a specific idea or two and go “deep.” 4. Ask Questions (2 Points)  Generating questions helps to ensure that you are approaching the readings with a reflective lens. What questions do you have about the author’s ideas? What else do you need to know? What else do we need to be asking about this topic? Often these questions are not easily answered. Please don’t ask basic questions that are already answered in the text.