Distinguished - Clearly and thoroughly defines the concept of assimilation in relation to the culture of ethnic groups and current ethnic hierarchies.

Proficient - Defines the concept of assimilation in relation to the culture of ethnic groups and current ethnic hierarchies. Minor details are missing or slightly unclear.

Basic - Partially defines the concept of assimilation in relation to the culture of ethnic groups and current ethnic hierarchies. Relevant details are missing and/or unclear.

Below Expectations - Attempts to define the concept of assimilation in relation to the culture of ethnic groups and current ethnic hierarchies; however, significant details are missing and unclear.

Non-Performance - The definition of the concept of assimilation in relation to the culture of ethnic groups and current ethnic hierarchies is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains how the process of assimilation differs for immigrant groups versus indigenous ethnic groups.

Proficient - Explains how the process of assimilation differs for immigrant groups versus indigenous ethnic groups. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains how the process of assimilation differs for immigrant groups versus indigenous ethnic groups. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain how the process of assimilation differs for immigrant groups versus indigenous ethnic groups; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of how the process of assimilation differs for immigrant groups versus indigenous ethnic groups is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes the case of forced the assimilation of Native American children by the U.S. government.

Proficient - Describes the case of forced the assimilation of Native American children by the U.S. government. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes the case of forced the assimilation of Native American children by the U.S. government. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe the case of forced the assimilation of Native American children by the U.S. government; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of the case of forced the assimilation of Native American children by the U.S. government is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Comprehensively explains the importance of food as a cultural symbol in relation to the assimilation and integration of ethnic groups.

Proficient - Explains the importance of food as a cultural symbol in relation to the assimilation and integration of ethnic groups. The explanation is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Minimally explains the importance of food as a cultural symbol in relation to the assimilation and integration of ethnic groups. The explanation is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Attempts to explain the importance of food as a cultural symbol in relation to the assimilation and integration of ethnic groups; however, the explanation is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The explanation of the importance of food as a cultural symbol in relation to the assimilation and integration of ethnic groups is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly describes personal ethnic or racial traditions surrounding food and opinions on cultural assimilation.

Proficient - Describes personal ethnic or racial traditions surrounding food and opinions on cultural assimilation. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally describes personal ethnic or racial traditions surrounding food and opinions on cultural assimilation. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to describe personal ethnic or racial traditions surrounding food and opinions on cultural assimilation; however, significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The description of personal ethnic or racial traditions surrounding food and opinions on cultural assimilation is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.