Pre-midterm Participation

Participation (attendance/punctuality/preparation/involvement: 30 meetings at 2p./ea.) = 60 points

Participation grades take into account consistency of attendance, punctuality, and preparation (including bringing course materials—i.e. copies of assigned readings and/or notes taken from readings, printouts of study guides, the course syllabus, and note-taking supplies—to each class session), as well as both quantity and quality of involvement in class activities, and other indices of respectful classroom citizenship. Participation grades will be reduced for students who arrive late, leave early, or spend class time sleeping, texting, or surfing the internet. If you expect attendance to be a problem, please see me before the drop/add deadline. An attendance sheet will circulate at the beginning of each class session; students who arrive late will be permitted to sign in at the end of class, noting their arrival time.

Absences will only be considered “excused” if you submit electronic copies of the following: 1) justification of the absence, 2) typescript of notes from missed lectures/activities taken from the audio recording on Canvas or by a classmate, and 3) an annotated study guide that includes answers to focus questions and identification of key terms (both with page references); items 2 and 3 should total at least 300 words (include word count). There are 30 sessions total; every unexcused absence results in a loss of 2 points (i.e., you can get an A with 2 unexcused absences, assuming active involvement; each tardy/early departure is .25 pts.). A student with perfect attendance who rarely contributes earns a B+ (52 pts.) for participation; if that student contributes occasionally, s/he earns an A- (54 pts.); if that student contributes regularly—and is consistently prepared—s/he earns an A (60 pts).

In preparation for each class session, readings should be completed in the order in which they appear on the syllabus—in advance of the meeting for which they are assigned. Obtain, preview, and read each session’s assigned texts—as well as the study guide posted on Canvas—well in advance of the scheduled meeting; preview the study guide focus questions and key terms before reading the assigned texts. I recognize and respect the fact that students have developed diverse study skills over time; I offer the following suggestions as strategies for further cultivating reading skills. When reading, take notes and record questions and commentary, using a systematic method to organize information (and to differentiate quoted material from your own thoughts). Come to class with written notes to remind you of details (and page references) and with a list of questions and/or problems that you would like to address during discussion. You might consider purchasing a set of multi-colored highlighters to use when reading. You might, for instance, use a yellow marker for information that stands out generally as interesting or worth remembering, incl. names, dates, or specific facts. A different color might denote terms that appear on the instructor’s outlines under “Some Key Terms.” Another color could indicate material useful in answering the “Reading Focus Questions.” I strongly recommend writing notes on your printouts of the study guides, e.g. write down page numbers that you can reference in answering each focus question and identifying each term. Periodically, I will give unannounced Pop Quizzes (4 quizzes at 5p./ea.) = 20 points to test your knowledge of assigned readings. Each quiz will consist of five multiple choice questions.

“Involvement” in class activities includes contributing to small and large group discussions and workshops. In a class of this size, not everyone will have a chance to speak in large group discussions every day; that’s ok. Just make an effort to contribute to discussions when there is opportunity, even if you feel shy. If you come prepared with notes, questions, and specific page references, participating will be much easier. On the flip side, more is not always better; if you always have something to say, please allow opportunity for your classmates to participate as well.