The essays were coming in way too heavy at 55 (20+35) of 274 points spring 2014 (20%). Coincidentally the tests also came in at 55 (25+30) points. 40% of the course grade was tied up in tests and essays - far more than intended. Material culture essay was particularly problematic, overly complex. Recommending the dropping of quality point, GVOC. Simplify, noting only that deductions will be made for grammar and vocabulary issue. I am opting for a mix: cutting back points on the essays by simplifying the overly complex essays, boosting points for some other activities. Specifically hikes which I plan to take up to 10.

Healing Plants
When have you used local medicine, for what, and why?
When have you used "western" evidence based medicine, for what, and why?
How do you know when to use local and when to use foreign medicine?
How could both be used together (integrative healing)?

+4 local medicine use including specific examples
+4 foreign medicine use including specific examples
+4 explanation of how the decision between the systems is made
+4 explanation of how both could be used together
16 points
Deductions will be made for spelling errors and errors of grammar.

Material Culture Essay

Ethnobotany material culture essay marking rubric 
Deductions will be made for spelling errors and errors of grammar.
What items of material culture are being conserved? Be specific in your examples. 
What are the reasons for the abandonment of material culture?
Which specific parts of traditional material culture should be conserved? 
Since the choice of what you wear, what you live in, and how you move around is an individual choice, how do you conserve material culture?  
How can your culture survive without your material culture?

+4 specific items cited
+4 specific reasons explained
+4 areas that should be conserved are discussed 
+4 the issue of free will and choice are discussed
+4 an explanation is provided of how the culture can continue to survive and be practiced if material culture is lost  
20 points
Deductions will be made for spelling errors and errors of grammar.