Class Policies, Requirements, and Expectations: This is your class. I expect you to be present, both physically and mentally, so that you can participate and engage with your peers and with me. You must always be respectful of ideas shared by your peers; this helps keep the classroom a challenging and positive place for all. Your fellow students should feel comfortable exploring new ways of thinking and expression in an environment that is safe and conducive to learning, and it is the responsibility of every student to make sure that that happens.
Please come to class prepared, with readings and assignments completed and blogs regularly updated. It is important that you attend class and arrive on time. Missed classes and frequent lateness will negatively affect your final grade. This should go without saying, but you should turn off your cellphone and/or other devices (iPods, etc) before you enter the classroom. If your phone rings once during class this semester, we’ll all laugh and I’ll ask you to turn it off. If it happen again, we’ll need to have a talk. Laptops are permitted for notetaking and looking at our readings. (with thanks to Ryan Cordell)
Universal Learning: In the spirit of Universal Design for Learning, I will strive to provide an environment that is equitable and conducive to learning for all students. I also ask that we all use inclusive language in written and oral work. If you have a documented learning, sensory, or physical reason for accommodation in this class, please inform me after the first class and also contact the Office of Special Services in Kiely Hall 171 or at (718) 997-5870. I encourage anyone with disabilities or particular needs that impact your work to meet with me to co-design accommodations, if necessary, beyond those listed. (from Cindy Lewiecki-Wilson)
Evaluation and Grading: Essays will be assessed for clarity and development of thesis and argument, evidence and documentation, analysis, structure, and style. All other written material, including drafts and revisions, blogging, in-class freewriting, and other informal writing, will be assessed for effort, content, quantity, and timely completion. The four essays account for 60 percent of your grade, revisions and blogging count for 20 percent (including writing your own blog posts and commenting on your classmates’ posts), and class participation counts for 20 percent.
All papers must be handed in electronically on Google Docs by 5 PM on the day the paper is due. To submit on Google Docs, you must first link your Queens College email to Google Drive; instructions on how to do that are available here: http://ctl.qc.cuny.edu/claim-qc-google-apps-account/. Then, you must upload your file, converting it to Google Doc format along the way. Late and incomplete assignments will drop your assignment grade by half a letter grade for each day past the due date.
Papers should be double-spaced and in a legible font (such as Times New Roman or Arial) no larger than size 12, and must include page numbers. Please submit in a Word file (.doc or .docx). If you do not have Microsoft Word, you can download one of several free, open-source programs that also produce .doc and .docx files, such as OpenOffice (http://www.openoffice.org/).