Reading Assignments, Participation, In-class Reactions
& Attendance (30 points): You
will get much more out of this class when you participate positively in class
discussion to go over the material you have read. Be prepared to read material
more than once. Study guides will be accessible on the web page for the
class. Note that text readings will complement material we cover in
class. There is a lot of material to overview and not all text material
assigned for tests will be covered in class. If you have questions, please
ask. Read assignments before coming to class, so that as we discuss text
and related material in class, it will make more sense to
you.
Short reactions in class will be part of your
participation score. These may be at the beginning or end of class and
typically consist of 1-2 short questions based on recent material. There may also be reaction assignments
related to class discussion that you will bring to class. If you are
assigned a reaction/project to bring to class, it is due at the beginning of
class (unless stated otherwise in class).
Please note: missed or late
reactions are not scored and cannot be made up; the score is
0.
What if…, you say?
OK, you have 4 free reaction points- there will be 34 possible reaction
points to earn during the semester and your score will be based on 30. So if you miss 1-2 reactions, no
problem, you can still earn 100% of the points. If you complete more than 30 points
correctly, you can earn bonus points (always nice). Please
note: if health or personal
problems arise that necessitate your missing several classes, contact me prior
to the missed class or as soon as possible afterwards. You are responsible
for finding out from me or a classmate any assignments, announcements,
instructions, etc., that were discussed in class.
Independent Projects: You will have three short independent
projects. The project paper is always due on the day of the test for that
unit- at the beginning of the period. However, you are welcome and
encouraged to turn it in earlier!
Choose your topic to help you study for your test. Each project paper is worth 15
points.
For each project, you need to search the internet for a
site related to a topic (your choice) covered in the chapters assigned for the
test unit of material. You
will summarize, EVALUATE, and compare the information on the site to any text or
class info. There is so much on the internet, and you want to know what
information you can trust. I have a set of guidelines for evaluation that
will be on the web. Papers must be 2 pages TYPED.
Extra credit reactions: There may be opportunities for extra credit reactions to campus or community events related to the topics in the class and an opportunity to review a film for the class will be discussed as we go through the semester. (Film guidelines will be on the web starting in November.)
Tests: There will be two tests during the semester, and a test during exams. Material builds on each other (thus is cumulative), but the focus of each test will be on the "new" material since the last test. However, there will be a short (25 pts) objective cumulative section on the final. Test items will cover both classroom and text material. Tests will consist of true-false, multiple choice, fill-in, matching, labeling, and short-answer/essay items. In the event of an emergency (see me before a scheduled test), make-up tests are essay in format.
Grading:
|
Test 1 |
100 points |
|
Test 2 |
100 points |
|
Test 3 |
125 points |
|
In class participation, reactions, & attendance |
30 points |
|
Independent Projects: 3 @ 15 points each |
45 points |
TOTAL 400 points possible. I use +/- with % ending in 7 or 8 as + and % ending in 9 or 0 as -.