Being Competent

Demonstrating the Competencies

E-1: Can assess the relative contributions of biology and environment to variation in human characteristics

E-2: Can analyze one's own and others' perpsectives on the nature of human nature.

Criteria for Demonstrating E-1

Demonstrating E-1 requires the development of several skills and the application of your knowledge; breaking down the competence into components, then, provides some criteria for the demonstration of E-1 as a whole. To demonstrate this competence you should be able to:

Identify genetic and environmental contributions to states of health
Apply an understanding of basic genetic mechanisms to examples of human traits
Use a basic model/framework to understand and explain interactions of environment and biology and their relative contributions to states of health.

Criteria for Demonstrating E-2

Demonstrating E-2 requires that you:

Articulate 2 or more distinct views of human nature expressed by authors interested in the topic (or summarized by other authors)
Analyze the implications fo differing views on human nature in various activities, such parenting, social policy formation, formation of laws, research, and attitudes regarding norms
Identify unspoken assumptions about human nature in one's expressed views as well as others' views
Describe one's own view of human nature and the evidence that supports it.

Criteria for Demonstrating E- and E-2

Requirements & Evidence

Grading

HomePage

Requirements and Evidence of Competence

The following will provide opportunities to demonstrate E-1 and E-2. You may, however, offer alternatives and "negotiate" the evidence that you will provide to demonstrate the competence. I am open to a variety of possibilities in terms of the evidence and how it is presented as long as the evidence can be assessed relative to the criteria for demonstrating the competence.

Please treat the various learning activities as "shells" to learn within, places to learn and make mistakes. Your grade will not be based on each and every comment you make as you work through the assignments over the course of the study. As you respond to feedback and progressively build your knowledge I will be aware of your demonstration of competence whenever it is evident. There will be:

problems and scenarios to respond to and
a research essay on a topic selected by you. This essay will capture your investigation of a human trait, characteristic, or disease and your assessment of the relative roles that environment and genetics play, or can play, in its development or alteration. This essay by be submitted as a:
- written piece with appropriate referencing; or,
- a discussion with me and an accompanying annotated bibliography with other notes, diagrams, tables, etc as you wish. The discussion may be in-person or over the phone.
Criteria for Demonstrating

E-1/E-2
Requirements & Evidence Grading HomePage

Grading
The various activities are intended primarily for learning aspects of the competence. Demonstration of E-1 and E-2 will be recognized in the work submitted relevant to each competence; however, problems or "errors" in responding to any of the learning activities will not detract from the ultimate demonstration of the competence as you are free to resubmit for assessment any aspects of the activities following my feedback.
- E-1:
  - A: an analysis and assessment of a phenotype (p) that is clearly described and that demonstrates an integration of genetic (g) processes, specific and relevant components of the environment (e), and the interaction of the two.
    B: similar to criteria for an "A" but, in my judgment, does not include sufficient descriptive detail of one or more of the 3 components of "p," "g," and/or "e" (for the section of the learning activities that describes these terms) and/or does not sufficiently reflect current knowledge in the analysis.
    
    C: all 3 components are described but the analysis does not bring the parts together (ie, not integrated) and is missing significant pieces of information.
    
    D: this grade does not demonstrate competence; it will not be used unless consideration for a D is requested by the student.
    F: 1 or more of the components missing or significantly lacking and thus description & analysis is substantially incomplete
- E-2
  - A: contrasting viewpoints on the nature of human nature are both described and analyzed with respect to assumptions, similarities, differences and implications; your own view and its contrasts or similarities with those being offered in the study are analyzed; the implications of a 'nature - nurture' framework for examining human nature are explained (though they certainly don't have to be agreed with)
    
    B: contrasting viewpoints on the nature of human nature are described and analyzed with respect to some of the following: assumptions, similarities, differences and implications; your own view and its contrasts or similarities with those being offered in the study are described; the implications of a 'nature - nurture' framework for examining human nature are explained (though they certainly don't have to be agreed with)
    
    C: contrasting viewpoints on the nature of human nature are both described and an effort is apparent to analyze them in some way; your own view and its contrasts or similarities with those being offered in the study are analyzed; the implications of a 'nature - nurture' framework for examining human nature are described (though they certainly don't have to be agreed with)
    
    D: this grade does not demonstrate competence; it will not be used unless consideration for a D is requested by the student.
    F: 1 or more of the components missing or significantly lacking and thus description & analysis is substantially incomplete
Timeframe: SNL anticipates that independent studies can be finished within a quarter though Incompletes may be agreed upon between us. The university requires that they be completed in two quarters... though I am entirely open to working at your pace and on your timetable. If you prefer a more structured timetable with deadlines, let me know and we can set one up.

Criteria for Demonstrating PW-E/S-2-D Requirements & Evidence Grading HomePage