Section Grading Information

There will be daily in-class “free-write” questions. These are opportunities to practice putting your thoughts on paper. They will not be graded for content or grammar, but simply for turning them in. If you are not present for a free-write assignment, you can do the free-write before the next class. Free-writes must be in hard-copy form. These assignments will be scored 0 or 1 for submission.

You will be required to turn in question cards and reading responses. Refer to the schedule in Blackboard for due dates. The cards should consist of a discussion question written on a 3x5 card; the reading response should be a one page, double-spaced, typed analysis of the day’s reading or viewing. Both the card and response should reflect a thoughtful reading or viewing of the assignment. Both will be graded and must demonstrate critical thought and revision. Consequently, the cards and response papers will collectively have the weight of one essay. These assignments will not be accepted late, as they are an important part of the class discussion. If you are unable to attend class, you can email your question or response before class to be shared with your discussion group.

During the term, you will be required to compose two analytic essays, one research paper, and one reflective essay. I will review any draft you bring to my office. I encourage you to seek help from me on your essays early and often. Topics for your essays will come from the in-class discussions, the assigned readings, and your own research. All essays must address a question-at-issue for the class. Submit electronically on Blackboard by the due date. You may request a no-questions-asked 24 hour extension as long as you contact me before the deadline.

Before each major writing assignment, we will have a day of peer review. You are required to bring a hard-copy of your draft to be used for peer review. You will exchange papers with at least two other students in the class. You will be required to provide constructive feedback and responses to particular aspects of the papers you are reviewing. You will receive credit for having your draft and for providing feedback to your peers.

You will be required to do a final presentation for the course. Your presentation will provide an 8-10 minute outline of the key ideas in your final research paper. You are required to attend all of the presentations. Your grade on your presentation will be reduced by 3 percentage points for each presentation you miss.