General Policies

Class begins when I take roll. If you aren't in class then, you're absent. All written assignments must be on my desk before then or they will be considered late and will be subject to the specific penalties outlined below.

All written assignments must be submitted to me in class. Don't leave assignments in my office unless I am there to take them from you, or I have given you permission to do so. Assignments submitted late due to computer, printer, or disk problems will not be excused.

All out-of-class writing assignments -- including homework -- must be typed and must (where applicable) conform to MLA guidelines for style and documentation of sources. No hand-written submissions will be accepted.

Unless you plan on feeding everyone, no food or tobacco products of any kind allowed in class.

Turn off your cell phones. If I hear a cell phone ring, or catch you using one in class, you will be asked to leave and counted absent.

Feel free to come to my office during office hours if you have any concerns about the class. If you can't make it during scheduled office hours, let me know and we'll make other arrangements. You can also send me email whenever you want; I'll try to respond within 24 hours, but keep in mind that it's a bad idea to send urgent messages by e-mail.

Grades

Grades throughout the semester are based on the following formula:

• A = 3.50-4.00   Work far exceeds average requirements for the assignment. Assignment written in clear, interesting, grammatically correct prose, showing individuality and highly developed thinking and writing skills. An 'A' paper is written at a level of sophistication far beyond the level of most Freshman writers.
• B = 2.50-3.49   Work exceeds average requirements for the assignment. Assignment written in clear, grammatically correct prose, showing well developed thinking and writing skills. A 'B' paper is written at a level that stands above the average of most Freshman writers.
• C = 1.50-2.49   Work meets requirements of the assignments. Assignment written in understandable prose, with a minimum of grammatical errors, showing effort and progress in thinking and writing skills. A 'C' paper is one that is written at the level of most Freshman writers.
• D = 0.50-1.49   Work does not meet minimum requirements for the assignments. Lack of clear focus, consistent problems with sentence structure and/or numerous grammar and mechanics problems interfere with readability.
• E = 0.49 or below   Work is unacceptable. Failure to complete writing as assigned, level of effort and progress will not result in credit for the course.

Your final course grade will be derived from the following components:

• 20%   Homework, quizzes, in-class work, and class participation.
• 15%   Essay 1, 5p. (due Sept. 25).
• 20%   Essay 2, 5p. (due Oct.16).
• 25%   Essay 3, 10p. (due Nov. 20).
• 20%   Essay 4, 5p. (due Dec. 13).

To pass this course, you must complete all 4 major essay assignments with a grade of 'C' or higher. See the "Writing Program Guidelines" for complete details. Consideration will be given on your final grade to significant changes in the quality of your work (i.e., improvement or decline) over the course of the semester.

Homework assignments, e-mail reports, and listserv responses with be scored on an A/C/F basis. You cannot submit these assignments late nor can they be made up if missed.

No +/- grades will be given for the final course grade.

Finally, do not discard any drafts, notes, papers, or research materials you produce during the semester, until you receive a final grade.

Grade Appeals

A request for re-evaluation of any major assignment must be made in writing within two weeks of a paper's return to you. In a letter or memorandum, your request must set forth specifically and in detail all points of disagreement with the evaluation. For this purpose, references to the course grading criteria as well as the assignment's specifications and expectations are essential. Within one week, I will respond to the request for re-evaluation in writing. My decision is final, assuming that the grade has been based solely upon a good-faith judgment of your work. Appeal of the course grade must be made in writing within two weeks of its receipt.

Complaints or concerns we cannot resolve will be taken to the Writing Program Office. See the "Writing Program Guidelines" for complete details.

Absence & Late Work

Regular attendance is essential in all classes, and you are held accountable for every class meeting, whether absent or present, for whatever reason. Three (3) consecutive unexcused ansences will reduce your course grade by one letter grade, while missing six (6) times total for whatever reason will deny you credit for the course. This policy is not negotiable under any circumstance. On the other hand, why you're gone is your business, not mine, and you are not obligated to explain your absence in any way. In any event, no absence can be designated "excused" until documentation has been provided and verified. See the "Writing Program Guidelines" or Student Rights and Responsibilities for the University's complete policy on absences.

Each class period will move quickly, so showing up late is very unhelpful to you and your classmates. If you aren't in class when I take roll, you're absent for attendance purposes, and any work due will be considered late.

Essay assignments will lose 1/4 point (on a 4-point scale) credit for each calendar day they're late up to one week, after which the essay will no longer be accepted for credit. Failure to turn in drafts of essay assignments on due dates will result in a 1/2 point penalty on the essay grade. Homework assignments are not accepted late.

Scholastic Honesty

Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. Since this course provides you with direct instruction in finding, using, and documenting outside sources for your papers, plagiarism will never be considered an error, but will be considered a violation of academic policy.

In general, cheating is the wrongful submission or taking of any information or material by a student with the intent of aiding himself or herself to improve a final grade. I further define cheating as any attempt by you to deceive or mislead me. Cheating specifically includes submitting work performed for other courses at this or other institutions without my prior consultation and approval.

The penalties Plagiarism and cheating range from failure of the assignment to expulsion from school, and are defined in more detail in Students Rights and Responsibilities, and in the "Writing Program Guidelines."