Your final grade in this class will be determined by your performance on the following required work: two to three exams, two research papers, one essay (non-researched), and a journal. Additionally, you must attend two conferences with me in my office.

Your final grade will be the product of the following: exam(s) 25%, journal 25%, research paper # 1: 20% and research paper #2 30%.
Note: All required work must be completed in order for you to pass the class.

Note: The lowest three scores in any grade range will receive a minus (70, 71, 72 = C-); the top two scores in any grade range will receive a plus (78, 79 = C+).

All students in English 101 and 102 must participate in writing the Exit Essay at the term’s end. This activity will follow in general the same protocol as in English 101 but with the addition of a significant research/documentation component. This essay will be scored on a pass-fail basis. Students who receive a fail will have one additional opportunity to write a second exit essay, on a new topic. If this second attempt fails, the student’s overall grade will be lowered one full letter grade. E.G. if you had a C average, your final grade would be a D (remember: a grade of C is required in English 101 and 102). If you had an A going into the Exit Essay and received a second fail, your final course grade would be a B.

Trust me; you will learn more if you attend class regularly. Consequently, I have an attendance policy designed to "encourage" you to show up regularly. It goes like this:

First, under no circumstances should you miss three consecutive classes. If you do, I’ll assume you’re not coming back and drop you from class (then where would you be?). If you must be away for that long, check with me in advance, not after you return. However, if you miss three straight classes after the drop deadline, you will receive a opportunity.

Secondly, if you have more than five absences for any reason, out you go!

Thirdly, I will take roll each class meeting. If you miss three or fewer classes during the semester, you could be the recipient of a small measure of charity grade-wise, but if you miss more than three classes during the semester, your final grade could be adversely affected. Here’s how: If at the end of the term you are teetering between two grades, say a high B or a low A, I would let your attendance make the call. If you had missed, say, five times you would get the lower of the two grades, in this case the B+. On the other hand, if you had three or fewer absences, you would receive the higher of the two grades, in this case the A-. Remember this also applies if you’re down there in the D or C range.

Now a word about tardiness. Normally I don’t mind if you occasionally walk in a minute or two late, but do not --I repeat do not-- make a habit of it. In my book three tardies equal one absence; that means if you’re tardy more than nine times during the semester, you’ll be in the same boat as if you had missed more than three classes.

I fully expect you to do your own work. That means anything you turn in with your name on must be your own work. Attempting to pass off the work of another as your own is plagiarism, a serious offense. If you try it, I’ll catch you, and you’ll be in hot water. You will receive an F for that particular assignment. If I catch you a second time, out you go! So don’t cheat.

I will accept a late assignment provided you’re just a day or two late and have a good excuse. If you miss an exam, you have two school days to make it up, no more. If you don’t, you will receive an F for the exam and the course.

I want you to feel relaxed in here, but I expect each of you to behave as an adult, not a high schooler. I don’t mind your occasional discreet whispering to your neighbor, but I won’t tolerate any type of behavior which keeps me from doing my job or which disrupts class. If you cannot behave, you’ll get one warning; after that, you’ll get the old heave-ho. Additionally, I reserve the right to re-arrange classroom seating if I think the present arrangement is not conducive to learning. Cell phones are a no-no; please turn them off while you’re in class.

I know dreaded English classes have the reputation for being dull and tedious. To some degree, this is sad but true. I should know, I’ve sat through enough of these classes. However, our class does not have to be boring. That’s up to you. So, I expect each of you to do your best to keep things interesting. You can do this by reading the assignments, sharing your ideas with the class, participating in class discussions, and by asking questions. Of course, being bright and witty wouldn’t hurt either. I can assure you that any contribution you make to the welfare of the class will be noted and appreciated.

Above all, ask lots of questions. Ask questions anytime. Trust me; I don’t mind. And answering them is part of my job.

Finally, I want you to enjoy the class. Do your part, and I promise to do mine.