Writing: Two 2-3 page papers and two 4-6 page papers. My paper assignments tend to specify the form of the paper while giving you considerable freedom in your choice of topic (assignment for paper 1, assignment for paper 2, assignment for paper 3, assignment for paper 4). The two longer papers may be rewritten (your grade will then be the average of the grades on the two versions). Default due dates (for the initial versions) are 9/14, 10/9, 11/2, and 12/4; the shorter papers are the first and last. (See below for my policy on due dates.)
Discussion: Your discussion grade will be based on your participation in class discussion (including helping to manage at least four) and your completion of some brief ungraded written assignments (including: suggestions of passages for class discussion, a lecture response on each of the 5 lectures, and notes from two class discussions).
Discussion grading: My evaluation of your participation in class discussion will be a product of my evaluation of your contribution to discussion and a factor reflecting your attendance. When evaluating your contribution to discussions, I’ll look at several aspects of it:
• the degree to which you show careful attention to and thought about the material we are discussing
• the extent to which you direct attention to specific details or specific passages (so be sure to bring the readings book or other text to class)
• the connections you make with other parts of the course (e.g., lectures and other material we’ve discussed)
• the degree to which you help to make our discussions into conversations—by commenting on what other students have said, answering their questions, and (especially) asking them questions
Your grade for participation will also reflect your promptness as well as your regularity in turning in lecture reports and discussion notes; and it could be lowered to reflect missed paper deadlines.
Attendance and due dates: To be excused from discussion, you will need a good reason (and the need to complete work for other classes is not a good reason). My standards for a good reason will be lower if you let me know in advance, and they may increase if you have been excused before. The due dates given for papers are default due dates, and I will be willing to negotiate and re-negotiate individual deadlines (within reason) if these are inconvenient. If you miss a deadline (either the default or one you have negotiated), I will expect you to contact me promptly to either turn in the work or arrange a new deadline. My standards for excusing missed deadlines are comparable to those for excusing missed class discussions after the fact. Unexcused missed deadlines will tend to affect your participation grade.