mhe511 full course latest 2018 may

Module 1 discussion

Bio-Terrorist and Other Emergency Responses

Few people in emergency management will disagree that an immediate response to a bio-terrorism emergency is appropriate; however, very few people agree as to what is an acceptable and a timely response.

An immediate problem that arises with bio-terrorism responses is that it may take several days after the event has been activated before anyone realizes that they have been exposed and involved in such an incident.

In your opinion should local, state, and federal disaster management agencies develop different response plans for bio-terrorist emergencies and natural and other types of emergencies?

Remember to support your position with quotations.

Module 2 discussion

The Internet and Security—Emergency Operations

Although emergency planning and operations have been conducted without a real consideration of integrating Internet into emergency operations, recent developments in Internet and computer technology have made it possible to change the ICS to allow for stronger (an assumption) external control of all types of emergencies.

There are obvious advantages and disadvantages to using Internet during emergencies. One problem is that the Internet was not developed with security in mind. There is no governing body on the Internet to ensure compliance with security measures. Although freedom from authority fosters innovation, it has an adverse effect on security.

The distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks in February 2000 illustrate how lax individual security can affect Internet security. Attackers used intermediary sites to launch attacks on the targeted sites. These activities were not transparent to the intermediate sites. Consequently, the intermediate sites did not realize they needed to implement security measures to prevent the attackers from using them to attack the targeted sites; further, they had no motive, other than general good will, to close the vulnerabilities on their sites that facilitated the DDoS attacks.

Without some central authority to ensure full implementation of security measures, each organization is more or less on its own and can be at the mercy of other organizations whose concern about security is far less than their own, or maybe even nonexistent. For local and state emergency response agencies to trust the Internet with their most sensitive data, additional precautions must be taken to ensure the right people are accessing the emergency response networks and that only authorized users can read transient data.

Based on this brief discussion, do you believe that the significant use of Internet in emergency operations will be limited until they can be conducted safely on the Internet?

Module 3 discussion

Mitigation and a Perceived Lower Risk

During a forum titled Cities and Megacities at Risk (sponsored by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Stanford University's John A. Blume Earthquake Engineering Center, and the World Seismic Safety Initiative, on Capitol Hill on January 21, 1998) Kendra Briechle, International City/County Management Association, reported the results of a recent study on Needs, Barriers, and Opportunities to Mitigation in Local Government.

The survey indicated many governments are confused about mitigation, and most perceive a lower risk for their area than actually exists. In addition, smaller governments generally have fewer tools for mitigation, including a lack of capacity and enforceable building codes.

In your opinion why do many local governments perceive a lower risk of a disaster for their communities than actually exists?

Do you believe that your community may down-play disaster risks?

Remember to support your statements with quotations.

Module 4 discussion

Full Government Control in an Emergency?

It is characteristic in all major disasters that many regard their role to assess survivors' needs. There may be confusion within government departments about where this responsibility lies.

Health, housing and emergency planning officials have often regarded it as their particular task. In addition, groups such as the military frequently make their own assessments—as do voluntary organizations, and representatives of international agencies. They often do so either to suit their own views and operational policies, or as verification of official assessments which they may be inclined to distrust, or which may not be sufficiently detailed for their purposes.

Given this situation, if the government is to maintain full control during disasters can it enter into a close working relationship with all assisting agencies and groups, and still maintain full control?

Is it necessary for government to maintain full control during disasters?

Module 4 reflective discussion

Assignment Expectations:

Address concept A and B in about 150 words each.

You will be graded on how well you demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concept, and critical thinking pertaining to the applicability of the concept to your professional practice. Points awarded will follow breakdown below.

You will neither be required to, nor graded on responses to your peers. One posting will suffice.

The Assignment: Given the readings and assignments in the course, identify and discuss two concepts or lessons learned that you believe will be most applicable to your professional discipline.

Concept A (points 10/20):

Identify /define (points 4/20): ......

Your professional discipline: ........

How applicable (points 6/20): ......

Concept B (points 10/20):

Identify /define (points 4/20): ......

Your professional discipline: ........

How applicable (points 6/20): ......

All information in the postings can be shared by all for the betterment of your project.

Module 1 - Case

INTRODUCTION TO EMERGENCY OPERATIONS; TYPES OF EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS

Case Assignment

You have been assigned by the City Manager to develop an Emergency Management Plan for the city. Although you have experience in emergency response this is the first time that you are involved in the planning process. You read that effective emergency planning begins with the following:

Defining an emergency in terms relevant to the organization doing the planning.

Establishing an organization with specific tasks to function immediately before, during, and after an emergency.

Establishing a method for utilizing resources and for obtaining additional resources during the emergency.

Providing a recognizable means of moving from normal operations into and out of the emergency mode of operation.

Although the above steps to develop an effective emergency plan appear to be reasonable and necessary, you have doubts about which item is most important in the initial planning stages. You agree that defining an emergency in terms relevant to the city is important; however, you believe that the city already has an organization with specific tasks to perform immediately before, during, and after an emergency. That organization is the city's fire department.

Question 1: Do you concur with the opinion that the city's fire department should be the lead organization for disaster management in a typical city in the United States? State your position and justify it in terms of authority, responsibility, and the organizational position the fire department must assume in order to be effective.

Question 2: Which of the above stated steps to develop an effective emergency plan do you believe would be well outside of the scope of duties assigned to the fire department? Justify your response.

Regardless of the type of crisis, there are a series of common requirements that must be taken into account for an organization to be successful when a critical incident occurs. These include:

Deciding policy

Assessing threat

Identifying resources

Selecting crisis team personnel

Locating the crisis management center

Equipping the crisis center

Training crisis team personnel

Testing contingency plans and emergency procedures

The city's fire chief recently appeared before city council and presented a strong recommendation that a specific organization with a well-defined line of authority for planning, mitigating, and responding to emergencies and disasters be established. The fire chief justified this position with the above stated common requirements that must be considered for an organization to be successful when an emergency occurs.

Question 3: Which of the above stated requirements should involve participation and approval well beyond the authority usually granted to a department head such as the fire chief? Justify your response.

Question 4: Which of the above stated requirements do you consider to be critical to the effective development and implementation of a disaster/emergency planning and coordination program/unit in the city? Which of the above stated requirements do you consider to be rather unimportant or insignificant, if any, to the success and effectiveness of the city's Emergency Management Plan? Justify your response to both questions.

Submit your assignment when it is completed by the last day of this module. Papers should be at least three pages long.

Assignment Expectations

Critical analysis of the complex management issues relevant for emergency response should be provided. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the multiple requirements of an effective emergency response plan.

References: At least two references should be included from academic sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journal articles). Required readings are included. Quoted material should not exceed 10% of the total paper (since the focus of these assignments is critical thinking). Use your own words and build on the ideas of others. When material is copied verbatim from external sources, it must be enclosed in quotes. The references should be cited within the text and also listed at the end of the assignment in the References section (preferably in APA format).

Organization: Subheadings should be used to organize your paper according to the questions.

Format: APA format is recommended.

Grammar and Spelling: While no points are deducted for minor errors, assignments are expected to adhere to standard guidelines of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence syntax. Points may be deducted if grammar and spelling impact clarity.

The following items will be assessed in particular:

Relevance: All content is connected to the question.

Precision: Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate.

Depth of discussion: Points that lead to deeper issues are presented and integrated.

Breadth: Multiple perspectives and references, and multiple issues/factors are considered.

Evidence: Points are well-supported with facts, statistics, and references.

Logic: Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.

Clarity: Writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples.

Objectivity: Paper avoids use of first person and subjective bias.

Module 1 - SLP

INTRODUCTION TO EMERGENCY OPERATIONS; TYPES OF EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS

Project Summary

The Session Long Project for this course will involve developing an emergency response plan (ERP) for a specific community which is subjected to at least three major emergencies or disasters each year. The plan is not required to be detailed but should focus on the operational requirements for managing these disasters or emergencies. The ERP will include a hazard analysis, and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery plans.

The outcome for the SLP will be a completed ERP that you would present to the city council and others during public hearings on its implementation. This completed ERP is due in the Module 4 SLP.

Module 1 Assignment

Select a community for your Session Long Project.

What are the three types of disasters or emergencies, other than routine emergencies, that you intend to plan for in your ERP?

Briefly discuss why you selected these disasters.

Remember to include graphics such as maps, charts, photos, tables, and figures to supplement your writing.

Note

You will use the remaining four modules, as well as this one, to build the presentation piece by piece. In the Module 4 SLP, you will synthesize materials from the Module 1-4 SLPs into a final project of 15-20 pages.

This Module 1 SLP paper should be no longer than three pages.

SLP Assignment Expectations

Selection of a community and critical assessment of three types of potential disasters faced by this community are to be provided.

References: At least two references should be included from academic sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journal articles). Required readings are included. Quoted material should not exceed 10% of the total paper (since the focus of these assignments is critical thinking). Use your own words and build on the ideas of others. When material is copied verbatim from external sources, it must be enclosed in quotes. The references should be cited within the text and also listed at the end of the assignment in the References section (preferably in APA format).

Organization: Subheadings should be used to organize your paper according to the questions.

Format: APA format is recommended.

Grammar and Spelling: While no points are deducted for minor errors, assignments are expected to adhere to standard guidelines of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence syntax. Points may be deducted if grammar and spelling impact clarity.

The following items will be assessed in particular:

Relevance: All content is connected to the question.

Precision: Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate.

Depth of discussion: Points that lead to deeper issues are presented and integrated.

Breadth: Multiple perspectives and references, and multiple issues/factors are considered.

Evidence: Points are well-supported with facts, statistics, and references.

Logic: Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.

Clarity: Writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples.

Objectivity: Paper avoids use of first person and subjective bias.

Module 2 - Case

PLANNING FOR EMERGENCIES: NIMS; HAZARD AND VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS

Case Assignment

The results of the Hazard and Vulnerability Analysis prepared by your staff found that your community is equally at risk for at least four different types of disasters. You believe that you have to plan for all four potential disasters. However, your City Manager with the support of the city council is urging you to develop a general EMP that can be utilized for all disasters. You have been requested to prepare a report to the City Manager supporting your position as to why a general plan will not best serve the interests of the community in case of a disaster.

List and describe your arguments in support of a disaster-specific plan. Briefly, justify your response.

List and describe your arguments in support of a general EMP. Briefly, justify your response.

Do you believe that NIMS (ICS) will work effectively regardless of which type of plan is ultimately developed? Support your answer.

Papers should be at least three pages long.

Assignment Expectations

Critical analysis of the strengths and limitations of specific and general response plans should be provided. Demonstrate an understanding of the broad applicability of NIMS.

References: At least two references should be included from academic sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journal articles). Required readings are included. Quoted material should not exceed 10% of the total paper (since the focus of these assignments is critical thinking). Use your own words and build on the ideas of others. When material is copied verbatim from external sources, it must be enclosed in quotes. The references should be cited within the text and also listed at the end of the assignment in the References section (preferably in APA format).

Organization: Subheadings should be used to organize your paper.

Format: APA format is recommended.

Grammar and Spelling: While no points are deducted for minor errors, assignments are expected to adhere to standard guidelines of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence syntax. Points may be deducted if grammar and spelling impact clarity.

The following items will be assessed in particular:

Relevance: All content is connected to the question.

Precision: Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate.

Depth of discussion: Points that lead to deeper issues are presented and integrated.

Breadth: Multiple perspectives and references, and multiple issues/factors are considered.

Evidence: Points are well-supported with facts, statistics, and references.

Logic: Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.

Clarity: Writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples.

Objectivity: Paper avoids use of first person and subjective bias.

Module 2 - SLP

PLANNING FOR EMERGENCIES: NIMS; HAZARD AND VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS

For this assignment, identify the types of emergencies and disasters that your emergency response plan (ERP) will cover for your community (which you identified in the Module 1 SLP).

Conduct a Hazard and Vulnerability Analysis for the disasters or emergencies you identified above. Begin with the disaster or emergency that you believe poses the greatest threat to your specific subject for the SLP.

Complete the following table by identifying hazards as described in the Hazard Analysis section of the Module 2 Home page.

Hazard	Magnitude	Frequency	Seasonal Pattern	Duration	Speed of Onset	Priority

How vulnerable is your population to each of the hazards? Describe the potential impact in terms of property damage, cost, loss of critical services and infrastructure, displacement, morbidity, and mortality. Assign severity ratings using the scale described in the reading. Refer to the section on vulnerability analysis.

What are the strengths and weaknesses in your Hazard and Vulnerability Analysis for your ERP? How can this aspect of the plan be improved?

Cite references used.

Description of Terms Used in Table

MAGNITUDE: Indicate the potential magnitude for each hazard using the following scale: Catastrophic (more than 50%), Critical (25%-50%), Limited (10%-25%), Negligible (less than 10%).

FREQUENCY: Indicate the frequency of occurrence for each hazard using the following scale: Highly Likely (likely to occur in the next year), Likely (likely to occur in the next 10 years), Possible (likely to occur in the next 100 years), Unlikely (less than 1% chance of occurring in the next 100 years).

SEASONAL PATTERN: Is there a seasonal pattern for any of the possible hazards? Describe.

DURATION: What is the probable duration of each hazard?

SPEED OF ONSET: What is the potential speed of onset for each hazard using the following scale: Minimal (no warning time), 6-12 hours' warning, 12-24 hours' warning, more than 24 hours' warning.

PRIORITY: Prioritize hazards based on frequency of occurrence, magnitude, speed of onset, and community impact.

Submit your SLP for Module 2 by the end of the second week of this module.

Papers should be no longer than three pages.

SLP Assignment Expectations

A clearly justified and presented Hazard and Vulnerability Analysis should be provided. Integration of the myriad complex issues impacting such an analysis is required.

References: At least two references should be included from academic sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journal articles). Required readings are included. Quoted material should not exceed 10% of the total paper (since the focus of these assignments is critical thinking). Use your own words and build on the ideas of others. When material is copied verbatim from external sources, it must be enclosed in quotes. The references should be cited within the text and also listed at the end of the assignment in the References section (preferably in APA format).

Organization: Subheadings should be used to organize your paper according to the questions.

Format: APA format is recommended.

Grammar and Spelling: While no points are deducted for minor errors, assignments are expected to adhere to standard guidelines of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence syntax. Points may be deducted if grammar and spelling impact clarity.

The following items will be assessed in particular:

Relevance: All content is connected to the question.

Precision: Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate.

Depth of discussion: Points that lead to deeper issues are presented and integrated.

Breadth: Multiple perspectives and references, and multiple issues/factors are considered.

Evidence: Points are well-supported with facts, statistics, and references.

Logic: Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.

Clarity: Writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples.

Objectivity: Paper avoids use of first person and subjective bias.

Module 3 - Case

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM; PRINCIPLES AND FEATURES PART I; MITIGATION AND RISK REDUCTION

Case Assignment

You live in Moonachie, New Jersey, and your community just experienced a widespread disaster caused by Superstorm Sandy. You have recently been designated by the city council and the City Manager to determine if the community's emergency response plan was effective in reducing property loss.

Prepare a short plan to investigate the disaster and assess the flood damage in the city. Identify specific persons you will meet with during your investigation.

You found that over 70% of the property in the flood-prone area was damaged and that there was no significant improvement in damage control since the last flood, which occurred five years ago due to a failure of the levee system. List at least four reasons that may explain the apparent failure to implement an effective mitigation program. Adequately support your reasons for this apparent failure.

Develop two recommendations that you would make concerning improvements in the city's mitigation plan based on the latest disaster experience.

State and discuss the general principle in this case concerning the necessity and implementation of mitigation measures.

Upload your Case Assignment by the last day of Module 3. Papers should be at least three pages long.

Assignment Expectations

A comprehensive analysis of the causes, response, and mitigation of flood disasters including clear delineation of the complex reasons for repeated flood losses should be demonstrated.

References: At least two references should be included from academic sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journal articles). Required readings are included. Quoted material should not exceed 10% of the total paper (since the focus of these assignments is critical thinking). Use your own words and build on the ideas of others. When material is copied verbatim from external sources, it must be enclosed in quotes. The references should be cited within the text and also listed at the end of the assignment in the References section (preferably in APA format).

Organization: Subheadings should be used to organize your paper according to the questions.

Format: APA format is recommended.

Grammar and Spelling: While no points are deducted for minor errors, assignments are expected to adhere to standard guidelines of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence syntax. Points may be deducted if grammar and spelling impact clarity.

The following items will be assessed in particular:

Relevance: All content is connected to the question.

Precision: Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate.

Depth of discussion: Points that lead to deeper issues are presented and integrated.

Breadth: Multiple perspectives and references, and multiple issues/factors are considered.

Evidence: Points are well-supported with facts, statistics, and references.

Logic: Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.

Clarity: Writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples.

Objectivity: Paper avoids use of first person and subjective bias.

Module 3 - SLP

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM; PRINCIPLES AND FEATURES PART I; MITIGATION AND RISK REDUCTION

In the Module 2 SLP you identified specific emergencies and disasters which could impact your community. You also conducted a Hazard and Vulnerability Analysis for the greatest threat to your selected community or organization. In this SLP for Module 3 you will identify the following:

Who will be responsible for the direction and control of the disaster operations?

What are the criteria you would establish for determining the lead position during an emergency?

How much authority would this person have during an emergency?

What methods of communication would you recommend to maintain control during an emergency?

How many persons or what type of personnel would you allow to make independent decisions in the field?

In your opinion is it necessary or prudent to allow for input into the disaster management process during an emergency?

Be sure that your response is related to or applies to the types of disasters identified in the Module 1 SLP.

Note to the student: It is impractical to require that you prepare an entire Emergency Management Plan for your community as a SLP for this course. Therefore, you should respond to the above questions in a general manner. For instance, under direction and control of the operations you should indicate who is in charge of the overall disaster and how you anticipate controlling the response to the disaster. What are your plans for life safety related to the ability of your community to respond to various levels of a disaster? The planned response is always a function of the severity of the disaster. If you need help with any aspect of this SLP, send the instructor an e-mail and you will receive a response as soon as possible. The main point is not to panic over the assignment and "calmly" think through its basic issues. Think of this as "performing under stress" as you may need to do under emergency conditions.

Papers should be no longer than three pages.

SLP Assignment Expectations

Clear recognition and critique of the leadership, communication, and flexibility needs of disaster response must be demonstrated.

References: At least two references should be included from academic sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journal articles). Required readings are included. Quoted material should not exceed 10% of the total paper (since the focus of these assignments is critical thinking). Use your own words and build on the ideas of others. When material is copied verbatim from external sources, it must be enclosed in quotes. The references should be cited within the text and also listed at the end of the assignment in the References section (preferably in APA format).

Organization: Subheadings should be used to organize your paper according to the questions.

Format: APA format is recommended.

Grammar and Spelling: While no points are deducted for minor errors, assignments are expected to adhere to standard guidelines of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence syntax. Points may be deducted if grammar and spelling impact clarity.

The following items will be assessed in particular:

Relevance: All content is connected to the question.

Precision: Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate.

Depth of discussion: Points that lead to deeper issues are presented and integrated.

Breadth: Multiple perspectives and references, and multiple issues/factors are considered.

Evidence: Points are well-supported with facts, statistics, and references.

Logic: Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.

Clarity: Writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples.

Objectivity: Paper avoids use of first person and subjective bias.

Module 4 - Case

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM; PRINCIPLES AND FEATURES PART II; DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Case Assignment

During a recent disaster (Hurricane Anne) the Incident Commander informs you at the Emergency Operations Center that he needs extra medical supplies as soon as possible since the number of persons injured has risen faster than anticipated. Additionally, the IC informs you that it appears that there will be a significant shortage in drinking water, food, and temporary shelter. The heavy rains and possible flooding have made the use of tents rather dangerous.

Based on these limited facts, briefly state the decisions that the Incident Commander must make at this time to respond to the problems.

How would you prioritize the problems that you have been informed of by your staff?

Describe how you as Incident Commander would handle each problem within the context of the ICS.

Do you believe that you would be better able to control and manage the disaster if the planning process were more effective? You may outline what steps you would take to ease the critical situation.

Papers should be at least three pages long.

Assignment Expectations

Understanding of the complex response needs necessary during most hurricane disasters should be demonstrated. Clear understanding of the priority and planning needs should be provided.

References: At least two references should be included from academic sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journal articles). Required readings are included. Quoted material should not exceed 10% of the total paper (since the focus of these assignments is critical thinking). Use your own words and build on the ideas of others. When material is copied verbatim from external sources, it must be enclosed in quotes. The references should be cited within the text and also listed at the end of the assignment in the References section (preferably in APA format).

Organization: Subheadings should be used to organize your paper according to the questions.

Format: APA format is recommended.

Grammar and Spelling: While no points are deducted for minor errors, assignments are expected to adhere to standard guidelines of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence syntax. Points may be deducted if grammar and spelling impact clarity.

The following items will be assessed in particular:

Relevance: All content is connected to the question.

Precision: Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate.

Depth of discussion: Points that lead to deeper issues are presented and integrated.

Breadth: Multiple perspectives and references, and multiple issues/factors are considered.

Evidence: Points are well-supported with facts, statistics, and references.

Logic: Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.

Clarity: Writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples.

Objectivity: Paper avoids use of first person and subjective bias.

Module 4 - SLP

INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM; PRINCIPLES AND FEATURES PART II; DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

In Module 1, you identified a community subjected to 3 major disasters.

In Module 2, you conducted a Hazard and Vulnerability Analysis for your selected community, and answered questions about your findings.

In Module 3, you discussed your plans for responding to the specific types of disasters concerning the direction and control of the disaster, and the responsibility for operations.

Now for Module 4 SLP, you are to do the following:

Assemble your Module 1 SLP to Module 3 SLP papers into your final project, with appropriate headings and subheadings, and references at the end. Suggested length is 15 - 20 pages.

Cross-check your final paper against the key ICS features, making certain that your paper covers at least 90% of the ICS features within the body of your text. If not, insert sentences covering nine ICS features where relevant.

The key ICS features are:

Management by Objectives

Unity of Command

Establishment and Transfer of Command

Organizational Flexibility

Unified Command

Span of Control

Common Terminology

Personnel Accountability

Integrated Communications

Resources Management

Incident Action Plan

SLP Assignment Expectations

Final Project Paper of 15–20 pages Due

You are to hand in your final project. Your final paper should contain synthesized materials from the Module 1 SLP through the Module 4 SLP.

Organization: Headings and subheadings should be used to organize your final paper.

References: At least 10 references should be included in your final paper from academic sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journal articles). Required readings are included. Quoted material should be properly cited. Use your own words and build on the ideas of others. When material is copied verbatim from external sources, it must be enclosed in quotes. The references should be cited within the text and also listed at the end of the assignment in the References section (preferably in APA format).

Grammar and Spelling: While no points are deducted for minor errors, assignments are expected to adhere to standard guidelines of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence syntax. Points may be deducted if grammar and spelling impact clarity.

The following items will be assessed in particular:

Relevance: All content is connected to the question.

Precision: Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts, and statistics are specific and accurate.

Depth of discussion: Points that lead to deeper issues are presented and integrated.

Breadth: Multiple perspectives and references, and multiple issues/factors are considered.

Evidence: Points are well-supported with facts, statistics, and references.

Logic: Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.

Clarity: Writing is concise, understandable, and contains sufficient detail or examples.

Objectivity: Paper avoids use of first person and subjective bias.