APPA
Attendance, Preparation, Participation, Attentiveness
14 October 2006

The APPA score honors the fact that scholarship is a communal endeavor. No true scholar is an "island," untouched by the sensitivities and ideas of others, or whose own ideas are untested by others. Knowledge is a corporate human endeavor, and develops through interchange of ideas and challenges of scholars engaged in the pursuit of truth. Theological ideas, especially in a Catholic context, are rooted in the communal life of the church and are tested in the ecclesial journey toward fullness of truth in God.

The classroom is one of the more important contexts for this communal, scholarly endeavor. Student engagement is a sine qua non of education. Students benefit not only from the instructor's presentations, but also from interaction with their classmates.  Students learn better when they are prepared for the class discussion. They also learn better what they themselves say aloud.  The overall course grade takes this into account in delegating a substantial portion of the grade to the APPA score.

The APPA grade is based on quality and quantity of input, as well as on attentiveness and receptivity to the ideas of others in the class. This presumes keeping pace with the readings in the primary and secondary literature assigned for each session.

The "attendance" component allows that one's alert presence, at the very least, provides moral support for the other members of the seminar.

In the "participation" component (e.g., talking in small group discussions, asking questions or making appropriate comments during lectures), weight is given to the quality of one's contributions to class discussion, not merely the quantity.

The "preparation" factor (e.g., evidence that you have done the reading, turning in the assignments) presumes keeping pace with the readings in the primary and secondary literature assigned for each session, and conveying this by the quality of questions and/or comments during each session.

The "attentiveness" factor (i.e., looking alert and interested in the class activities) recognizes and values the fact that we also learn by actively listening to the contributions of others during the seminar meetings, and by keeping the discussions focused on the topic area. Being present in class means being present to one's classmates and instructor.

If you are one of those people who find it difficult to talk in a large group setting, you might use a daily class journal to supplement your class participation and to provide evidence of your preparation for and attentiveness to class discussions.

How the APPA Score is Calculated