Requirements:
Scholar Quizzes (7, lowest grade dropped, 5 points each)
30%
Class participation
10%
30%
Midterm exam
15%
Final exam
15%
Evaluation:
My grades are based on following scale:
A
90-100
B
80-89
C
70-79
D
60-69
Throughout the course of the semester, you will receive "points" corresponding to a version of this scale conforming to the percentage of the total grade a given assignment is worth. Thus the response essays or paper/project will be worth 30 points; the final exam 15 points; participation 10 points; each quiz 5 points. In a fifteen-point scale, for example, the grades break down as follows):
15-point scale A+
15
A
14.25
A-
13.5
B+
13.2
B
12.75
B-
12
C+
11.7
C
11.25
C-
10.5
Thus if a student received a 'B' on an assignment worth a possible 15 points, 13.2 points would be added to the cumulative grade, with 100 points being the total number of points possible over the course of the semester. If this student received perfect scores on everything else the final grade would be based on a cumulative score of 98.2 points out of 100 (an A+ in my book).
Plagiarism is a violation of the Tech Honor System and, more to the point, a violation of intellectual integrity. Such violations will be subject to the severest academic penalties. DON'T DO IT! If you don't understand what plagiarism is, be sure to visit the link at the head of this paragraph. If you still have questions, or have questions at anytime during the semester, ASK BEFORE YOU TURN IN YOUR WORK.
The quizzes will be given through Scholar's Quiz function. You will have two opportunities to take each quiz, with the highest score being the one recorded. Each quiz will consist of ten questions worth a half point each (five possible points). I will drop the two lowest scores. There is no time limit imposed on the taking of the quizzes, and they will be available for a few days before they are due.
For the Response Essays Option: I will provide targeted questions about our readings for you to respond to in no more than 4-5 double-spaced, typed/word-processed pages. Please follow the MLA format for citations and works cited. If you choose to do this option you will not do the Project option. Evaluation will be based on content, the quality of your argument, organization, grammar/mechanics, and citational accuracy. The due dates will be September 18, October 23, and November 18. Once you commit to this option, the Project Option will no longer be in play. If you do not turn in the first response essay, you must commit to the Project Option.
For the Project Option: You may, of course, choose to produce a "traditional" essay/research paper. This should be 12-15 double-spaced, typed/word-processed pages. Please follow the MLA format for citations and works cited. Evaluation will be based on content, the quality of your argument, organization, grammar/mechanics, and citational accuracy.
There are other options. I have had a student, for example, write a play based on the historical record of Geoffrey Chaucer's being accused of the "rape" of Cecily Chaumpagne. Other students have composed music and lyrics inspired by the Canterbury Tales and cut a CD. These are not necessarily the safest options, but occasionally they produce spectacular results.
If your project suggests that such a format is appropriate, you may create a hypertext/web-based structure for your commentary, exploration, demonstration, or persuasive argument. The content should be roughly equivalent to that for the essay option. Your focus should be on content and structure primarily; bells and whistles will not earn a significantly higher grade.
There are a number of tools at your disposal on the TEXTS & MATERIALS page and I will be happy to consult with you about strategies and resources.
Tuesday, October 14, you should bring a one-page proposal to class and share your project ideas with the class. The project is due Wednesday, November 20.