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Grading
Policy and Assessment: On-Campus
Examinations, Assignments, Grading
We will have one (1) ON-CAMPUS ESSAY (TEST), as well as two (2) OUT-OF-CLASS
ESSAYS. All Out-of-Class papers will be typed (or word processed), double
spaced, and about 5-14 pages in length (depending on the assignment). Tests (timed essays) will be written
in blue or black ink, double spaced in a bluebook (available in the bookstore). The term
paper (paper 2) will be an in-depth analysis of one of several authors (your choice from a list I provide)
in one of the course-appropriate categories. It should
reflect your overall understanding of the concepts taught in this course.
For tests, you will be allowed to use dictionaries and the
text which is being discussed. (ENGL103 students will also be required to bring printed versions of their secondary sources). Further, there is a RESPONSE assignment for most readings, as well as a peer editing component to your papers. RESPONSES are to be done during the course of the semester as we read the stories and other literature pieces, not dumped on me at the end of the semester. There will be a cutoff date after which NO RESPONSES will be accepted.
This class is a process:
if you do poorly at the beginning of the course but show improvement,
your grade will reflect the latter work. Conversely, if you crank out
A's on the first papers but flake off as the quarter progresses, your
grade will seriously suffer. It is imperative you remain on top of the
class. Reading ahead is encouraged. Talking with classmates and me about
the assignments and any problems you may have is also encouraged. There
is no curve in this course, so there is no competition. Any help from
another student (except on an On-Campus essay) is encouraged - communication
will make this course more interesting. See grades
discussion for specifics.
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Homework and Interaction
You will be expected to participate by keeping up with the reading and
the writing assignments. Due date for tests and papers will be announced in class. Since we will be using peer
editing and feedback, the failure to do your own work will adversely
affect your classmates, as well as your grade. You are responsible for
both grammar and understanding the material. This class will require
a great deal of reading--keep up or you will soon find yourself floundering
in your own personal sea of confusion. . If you do not understand something,
ask!
Grading
- A - Difficult to achieve. Must show significant insight and
a clear understanding of the material. Must also exhibit a thorough
understanding of the basics of composition, as well as the proper
essay format and literary terminology. Must complete all work on time
and as requested. Must submit a final paper that shows complete understanding
of the concepts taught in this course.
- B - Not as hard to achieve. Must be competent in the fundamentals
of the writing process. Should show more than basic, clear
understanding of source material and the essay format, and should
have all work handed in on time and completed as requested. No major
errors should be apparent in final paper(s).
- C - Fairly simple to achieve. Should show basic understanding
of the writing process, with some signs of insight into the material.
All assignments should be completed, with only a few minor errors.
If you simply show up and do the work, you'll probably get this grade.
- D - Pretty easy to achieve. Major errors will still be evident
in writing. Missed assignments, failure to complete assignments, and
lack of improvement will get you one of these grades.
- F or FW - Real easy to achieve. Don't show up, don't do the assignments,
don't improve at all, and show a real lack of concern for the whole
thing, and you earn one of these grades.
This is a process; if you do poorly at first, but improve as the semester
progresses, your grade will reflect the latter work. Conversely,
if you get A's at the beginning of the course but fail to maintain that
level of achievement as the semester progresses, your grade will suffer.
Thus, as you improve, so will your grade. It is possible to start out
with C's and D's at the beginning of the term and have a B or an A as
your final grade. What you must keep in mind is that a recorded grade
is final and is unlikely to be changed. Don't forget to officially drop
or withdraw from a class which you no longer attend or it will likely
be an "F" or "FW" on your record. Be sure to finish all assignments as requested,
for Incompletes are also a rarity, designed for specific instances which
are clearly outlined in the college catalog. Know your responsibilities.
And remember: although I explain in great detail the merits and weaknesses
of your paper, the grade itself is not changeable unless you rewrite
the paper within the indicated time. Grades are not negotiable.
I weigh the grades as follows:
| Item |
Value |
| Paper 1 |
20% |
| Exam
|
25% |
| Final Paper |
35% |
| Participation/Responses |
20% |
A = 4.0
B = 3.0
C = 2.0
D = 1.0
F = 0
A "PLUS" (+) adds 0.3 points to a grade; a "MINUS"
(-) subtracts 0.3 points from a grade. A "B+" then, is a 3.3
G.P.A.; an "A-" is a 3.7 G.P.A.
If you fail to take the final exam or fail to hand in
a satisfactory final paper, you will fail the course.
See the grade grid to calculate your grade
points in this course.
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Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of submitting someone else's work as your own.
This includes using a report or essay written by someone else, quoting
from a source without giving that source credit, or taking someone else's
ideas or thoughts and submitting them as your own. The school policy
on plagiarism is simple: If you are caught, you will be sent to the
Vice President of Instruction. We do this in order to identify problem
students. Also, you will certainly fail the assignment. With repeated
offenses, you will fail the course, and possibly be expelled from this
institution. The bottom line is that we want your thoughts and ideas,
in your words. Essays and reports sold through the mail are not acceptable,
and will get you into a great deal of trouble. If you use a quote from
someone else, document it by giving the writer's name, the work the
quote came from, and the page numbers. You must use the correct citation
format on your final paper to receive full credit. If you have any questions,
I can help you to document sources correctly.
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Absences
If for some reason you need to miss a day, or
an assignment with a VALID excuse, talk to me and we can work
something out. In this course a missed day is
a missed week. Two missed weeks is grounds for being dropped from the
course. You must see me about situations before they become problems.
Make-ups for missed tests will be done if the excuse
is valid: if you know in advance you will miss a day, we can arrange
for the test to be taken early. If you come to me after the fact, some
sort of verification will be necessary in order to be allowed to take
a make-up exam. Nothing is written in stone, so if you have any problems,
come and see me; maybe we can work something out. However, if you don't
care enough to make the effort, I won't either.
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Conduct
Next, a word about class conduct. You are all adults. This is a learning
environment. It is not your living room or a public place. I personally
don't care how you speak to others or your friends outside of this class,
but it is my responsibility to keep some semblance of order and decorum
in this classroom. Turn off your cell phone. Don't spend your time on line. Treat others with
respect and you will receive the same. I reserve the right to remove
anyone who cannot comply with the conduct guidelines set forth in the
college catalog. Know the rules and be respectful.
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Repeating the Course
It is important that you succeed in this course. If you get a D, F, FW, NC or W
grade in this course, you may repeat it only once without special dispensation. If you receive a D, F,
NC or W in this course twice, you will need to take this course at another
college or file a petition (Request for Exceptional Course Repeat) with the
Counseling Office. The few successful petitions each year are granted
because of extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student (see
Catalog, pages 26-27, section: Repeated Courses for more details). If your
petition is granted, there is no guarantee you will be able to add the
course. You will be added at the discretion of the instructor and only if
the class has an available space.
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Assistance
Finally, the Tutoring Lab, the Writing Cafe, and the TESTING CENTER are
located in the EDC building. There are tutors and other aids to help
you. Use it! One last thing. I am willing to meet with you before or
after class if you need help or have any questions... but you must ask!
I expect you to take the initiative to do the best you can this semester.
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DISABILITY/ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT
If you are a student with special physical or developmental needs for testing, reading, or essay production, please contact me as soon as possible. Verification with DSP&S will allow you to get special consideration for these tasks. It is the student's responsibility to inform both the instructor and other staff of these needs.
©
T. T. Eiland, January 1998
Last modified: September 29, 2012
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