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Course Assignments

Discussion Basics

  • Instructors use the discussions to assess where you're at in terms of understanding the material. Show them what you know!
  • Make additional posts whenever you can. Make sure they are substantive and engaging to others.
  • Meet the posting deadlines. Check the Calendar to know when the Initial Post and the Reply posts are due.

Writing a Discussion

  1. Writing the Discussion
    • Copy and paste the assignment into a Word document.
    • Break the required elements of the assignment into bullet points
    • Start with the main points of the discussion and fill in details to support each main idea.
    • Follow APA formatting 
  2. Prepare 
    • Reading material for the module
    • When you find the necessary information, type it into the Word document under the corresponding bullet point. Remember to put it into your own words.
    • Use evidence if needed or required.
  3. Review 
    • Double-check that the assignment's required elements (bulleted from earlier) are all in your post.
    • Spell-check and run it through Grammarly.
    • Ask yourself the following questions:
      • Did I include details and specific examples?
      • Is it clear that I read and understand the material?
      • Have I used resources to check for grammar, spelling, etc.?
  4. Submit
    • Copy the post from the Word document and paste it into the Discussion Forum

Reply Post

Your instructors want to see that you understand and can apply your learning.  The more you demonstrate this, the more points you can earn.

  1. Review peers' initial posts and choose the ones you'd like to discuss further.
  2. Post substantive replies to others that include information from the reading (e.g. "This week's reading talks about the Regis Principle and how it applies to...") and connect to other course concepts. See the table below.
  3. Revisit the discussion forum a few times during the week to read others' posts and reply.

Here are three examples of Margo's reply to her classmate, Juan. Which one would earn Margo the most points? In other words, which best shows that Margo understands and can apply the Marshal Doctrine?

Margo's reply to Juan's post Levels of Margo's understanding
I agree with you, Juan. This doesn't show Margo's understanding or application of the concepts.
I agree with you, Juan. The Regis Principle is present when the officer brings the defendant in for interrogation and asks about his frame of mind. This shows more of Margo's understanding, but can be even better.
I agree with you, Juan. The Regis Principle is present when the officer brings the defendant in for interrogation and asks him about his frame of mind. The reading this week talks about how that element (frame of mind) could connect it into an evidence framework.... This shows that Margo understands the concept and can apply it.