Hi Richard: Component weights are supposed to put the emphasis on a variety of graded activities and the hope would be that the more important asssignments receive more of the weight. Rubrics are great for their objectivity and guidenance for students to both understand and strive for achiving the best performance - I underscore your sentiments about the importance. I think putting in thought, effort and planning in the initial course development can contribute a huge portion of where the appropriate emphasis should be in course work. Regards, Barry