FSEM 092 Assessment

Assignments and Evaluation

Readings: It is your responsibility to acquire basic foundational knowledge about cryptography by doing the assigned readings. (This sounds rather dry, but there are many fascinating stories and I hope that you will enjoy the readings.) A reading journal will help you consider the readings and prepare for the papers that you will be writing.

Early Assignments: The assignments in the first part of the course will help you develop logical thinking skills, deepen your understanding of particular ciphers and cryptanalytic techniques, and prepare for the first paper. Code-breaking assignments will give you a chance to try out the cryptanalysis techniques discussed in class. You'll also build a paper model of an Enigma machine to see how it works.

Papers: You will write three major papers during the course: one where you create and analyze your own challenging cipher, another where you research and write about the details of a cipher or cryptographic technique for a non-technical audience, and a third where you argue a position on social or ethical issue pertaining to cryptology. These papers will emphasize the process of revision, and will give you practice with different types of writing.

Class Participation: Learning is not a spectator sport, and both your learning and that of your peers is enhanced when you actively participate in class. Class participation is expected; a rubric outlining exactly what is expected is given below.

Final Grades: Final grades will be computed as follows:

early assignments (code breaking, enigma): 20%
cipher creation paper: 20%
research paper: 20%
position paper: 20%
reading journal: 10%
class participation: 10%

Midterm Grades: I will let you know your current grade about halfway through the semester, but you are also welcome to ask me about your grade at any point if you want to know how you are doing or have a concern about your performance.

Classroom Etiquette

You are expected to be courteous and respectful in class. This includes listening when others are speaking and respecting the ideas and contributions of others, even if you disagree with them. Juvenile behaviors such as whispering with your friends, passing notes, making fun of others, etc. are rude, disruptive, and inappropriate.

Cell Phones: If you must bring a cell phone to class, make sure it is turned off. (Setting it on vibrate is not sufficient, as that often generates an audible noise when the phone rings.) Checking messages, texting, etc. during class is not acceptable.

Laptops: You do not need to bring a laptop computer to class. If you do bring one, it should be used only to support class activities - not checking email, instant messaging, working on other assignments, etc.

Class Participation Rubric

Class participation includes being engaged in the classroom, displaying appropriate classroom etiquette, and being prepared for class by doing the assigned readings. (You will have a hard time participating fully in class if you are not prepared.) Class participation will be evaluated as follows:

score	standard	criteria

√+	class is significantly enhanced by student's presence; student gains benefit from being in class	asks relevant questions during class volunteers to respond to questions volunteers interesting and relevant points questions, responses, and comments show understanding of the material beyond repetition of basic facts teaches others or explains material during group activities does not dominate group activities

√	class is enhanced student's presence; student gains benefit from being in class	asks relevant questions during class volunteers to respond to questions questions and responses show preparation for class contributes substantive ideas to group activities does not dominate group activities

√-	class is minimally enhanced student's presence; student gains benefit from being in class	participates in group activities, but does not contribute substantive ideas does not contribute to class unless called upon responses show preparation for class

–	class is unaffected by student's presence; student gains some benefit from being in class	arrives late or leaves early without good reason little participation in group activities does not contribute to class unless called upon responses show lack of preparation for class

0	class is unaffected by student's presence; student gains little or nothing	absent not paying attention does not participate in group activities

x	class is negatively impacted by student's presence	fails to respect others in class harms the group dynamic during group activities questions, responses, and points raised are deliberately off-topic or irrelevant poor classroom etiquette

"√" is what is generally expected; an "A" requires going beyond that on a regular basis (but not necessarily every day). "x" indicates disruptive behavior which should never occur.

Class participation will be noted each day. In accordance with the attendance policy (which states that you are allowed two absences without penalty), the two lowest scores - excluding "x" - will be dropped before grades are assigned. Approximate letter grade equivalents:


A+	mostly √+; occasional √ or √-; no – or 0
A	more √ than √+, but √+ is common; occasional √-; rare – or 0
B	mostly √, with some higher and some lower; occasional – or 0
C	mostly √-, with some higher; occasional – or 0
D	more √- than –, but – is common
F	mostly –
0	more than a few xs regardless of other scores