Course Policies and Grading Scale

Attendance

You are expected to attend every class period having completed the reading/homework and ready to participate actively in class activities. Failure to bring a hardcopy of the assigned reading will constitute an absence and you may be asked to leave class.

Absences and Late Work

Students may miss three class periods without additional penalty. After that, any additional absence will result in a loss of a third of a final letter grade. (A B+ would, for example, drop to a B.) In the event of an absence, you will still be responsible for completing assignments. Late assignments will be lowered 1/2 of a letter grade for EACH day they are late, including weekends. Should you miss class, you must submit your work before class or it will be counted late as well. Additionally, you are also responsible for obtaining notes and assignments for classes you miss. If you have any questions AFTER speaking with a classmate about the material, I will be happy to help. I will not re-teach a lesson.

Emergency Absences

If serious illnesses, family emergencies, or other crises occur during the term, you must contact the Dean of your college as soon as possible. The Dean’s office can assist you in notifying faculty and in validating for me and for your other teachers what has happened. Such validation will be necessary for you to make up missed class work and assignments.

Tardies

Entering class late (or leaving class early) is disrespectful to me and to your fellow students. Whether you are a minute late or ten minutes late, you are disrupting my classroom. For every two tardies, you will be marked absent.

Participation

Class participation will be evaluated based on how actively, thoughtfully, and respectfully the student contributes to class discussion and small group discussion. Arriving to class everyday on time with a copy of the required text(s), your notebook, and any assignments due is a minimum (B-). Failure to bring a copy of the text will result in your being marked absent. To excel in participation is to contribute to the class. Students who listen attentively and take notes but speak relatively little in large group discussion may earn a higher participation grade by attending office hours. If you have questions about your participation grade, please feel free to ask me throughout the semester. ***I reserve the right to assign quizzes if I notice a decrease in participation.***

Classroom Decorum

I would like my classroom to be a comfortable learning environment, one in which you can openly express your opinions. Such an environment can only be maintained so long as you are respectful of one another. I will not tolerate disruptive/disrespectful students in my classroom and may ask students to leave at any point. Additionally, you are free to eat, drink, and chew gum in class, but do not abuse this privilege. You may also leave class to use the bathroom at any time, without asking permission, but do so in a quiet, courteous manner. Finally, please remember to turn off cell phones, computers, and any other electronic devices that may cause distraction. You will be asked to leave class in the event that you are caught texting.

Grading Scale

In this course, you will be graded on the quality of your written work as well as on your participation.

Please note: You must complete all assignments and receive 700 points (C-) or more to pass this course.

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