Evaluation

There are 4 opportunities for graded feedback: One blog commentary assignment due in October, an experiential site visit and team memorandum assignment due in November, a comprehensive take-home exam in December, and a property-related dispute resolution quiz in January. For more information on the specifics of each method of evaluation, follow the links above.

Both assignments are carefully designed to reinforce one or more of our course goals, and to prepare you well for the final exam, the content of which reflects all course goals. For each assignment and for the final exam youwill be evaluated on the extent to which submissions are:

  • thorough & responsive (do you analyze the key issues, and focus on relevant discussion?),
  • accurate & insightful (do you apply the law correctly, and evaluate issues deeply?),
  • clear & organized (is your answer well structured, articulate and properly referenced?) and
  • generally impressive (do you demonstrate understanding of the subject or show creativity?).

For the assignments, you will be assessed holistically on these criteria taken together. For the exam, you will be assessed on each criterion separately for each question. Assignment grades will be calculated on a letter basis, and then converted according to the following alphanumeric system:

Letter Percentage Point Value Definition
A+ 90-100 10 Exceptional
A 85-89 9 Excellent
A- 80-84 8 Excellent
B+ 75-79 7 Very Good
B 70-74 6 Very Good
C+ 65-69 5 Good
C 60-64 4 Good
D+ 55-59 3 Passable
D 50-54 2 Passable
F 0-49 0 Failure

An exceptional grade indicates coverage of all key issues (thoroughness), with no discussion of irrelevant points (responsiveness). There are nolegal or factual errors (accuracy), and frequent astute observations (insightfulness). The writing is always simple and concise (clarity), and the structure is always logical (organized). There are always examples demonstrating understanding of the subject or instances of creativity (impression).

An excellent grade indicates coverage of almost all key issues (thoroughness), with negligible discussion of irrelevant points (responsiveness). There are almost no legal or factual errors (accuracy), and many astute observations (insightfulness). The writing is almost always simple and concise (clarity), and the structure is almost always logical (organized). There are often examples demonstrating understanding of the subject or instances of creativity (impression).

A very good grade indicates coverage of most key issues (thoroughness), with little discussion of irrelevant points (responsiveness). There are few  legal or factual errors (accuracy), and some astute observations (insightfulness). The writing is in most parts simple and concise (clarity), and the structure is in most parts logical (organized). There are sometimes examples demonstrating understanding of the subject or instances of creativity (impression).

A good grade indicates coverage of some key issues (thoroughness), with some discussion of irrelevant points (responsiveness). There are some legal or factual errors (accuracy), and occasional astute observations (insightfulness). The writing is in some parts simple or concise (clarity), and the structure is in some parts logical (organized). There are sometimes examples demonstrating understanding of the subject or instances of creativity (impression).

A passable grade indicates coverage of few key issues (thoroughness), with much discussion of irrelevant points (responsiveness). There are many legal or factual errors (accuracy), and rare astute observations (insightfulness). The writing is in few parts simple and concise (clarity), and the structure is in few parts logical (organized). There are rarely examples demonstrating understanding of the subject or instances of creativity (impression).

A failing grade indicates coverage of almost no key issues (thoroughness), with most discussion of irrelevant points (responsiveness). There are frequent legal or factual errors (accuracy), and noastute observations (insightfulness). The writing is not simple and concise (clarity), and the structure is not logical (organized). There never examples demonstrating understanding of the subject or instances of creativity (impression).

Final grades will be calculated in accordance with Rule 18 of the Faculty of Law’s Academic Regulations:

https://commonlaw.uottawa.ca/en/students/student-centre/registration/registration-student-responsibilities/academic-regulations#a18

Rule 18.3(2) of the Regulations states that the grade point average should be within +/- 0.4 points of the applicable guideline of 6.0. Because CML 1108 is a “sectioned” course, the grade point average may be within +/- 0.8 of the 6.0 guideline, as per Rule 18.3(3).

In accordance with a Faculty-wide policy on accommodating special circumstances, late submission of assignments and requests for exam deferrals cannot be accepted unless prior express approval has been obtained. Please be aware that in order to protect students’ interests all Common Law Professors lack discretionary authority to make special accommodations in individual circumstances.

To sign up for access/equity tutorials, request an exam deferral, assignment extension, or other accommodation, you must contact the Common Law Student Centre (FTX 237, clawaccess@uottawa.ca). Circumstances that may warrant accommodation include but are not restricted to:

  • a permanent state of affairs(a disability, a permanent medical condition),
  • an ongoing situation(a personal crisis, pregnancy),
  • reasons related to equity concerns(religious obligations, sole parenthood),
  • a one-time circumstance(short illness, temporary injury, day surgery), or
  • compassionate grounds(a death in the family, a sick child or dependant).

Students should consult the Equity and Academic Successportion of the Faculty website for complete details about accommodation.

Students who require accommodation or academic support because of a physical or learning disability, or any ongoing condition which affects their ability to learn, may contact:

SASS-Academic Accommodations | Office: Desmarais Building, 3172 (3rdfloor)

Telephone: 613.562.5976 | TTY: 613.562.5214

E-mail: adapt@uottawa.ca| Web: www.sass.uottawa.ca/access/

As part of the registration process, students will meet with a Learning Specialist to identify their individual needs, discuss appropriate strategies, and establish adaptive measures. Access Service assesses, establishes, and implements appropriate academic accommodations for students who have a disability, while adhering to the University of Ottawa’s policies, procedures, and administrative regulations, as well as Human Rights legislation.  Access Service workscollaboratively with our faculty to facilitate the process.

The deadline to request accommodation for final exams is November 15.