Grade Scale:

90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
60-69 = D
0-60 = F

Grading Breakdown:

Exam 1- 25%
Exam 2 (Midterm)- 25%
Exam 3 (Final)- 25%
Writing Assignments/Reading Responses-15%
Attendance & Class Participation- 10%

Graded Assignments:

Exam 1: 25%

Exam 1 will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions derived from assigned readings, related lectures, and in-class discussions. No scantron required.

Exam 2: 25%

Exam 2 will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions derived from assigned readings, related lectures, and in-class discussions. No scantron required.

Exam 3: 25%

Exam 3 will be cumulative and consist of multiple choice and short answer questions derived from chapters 1-11, related lectures, and in-class discussions. No scantron required.

Writing Assignments/Reading Responses: 15%

Students are required to submit a total of 5 reading responses over the course of the semester. Responses must be submitted in person (sorry, no email) at the beginning of the corresponding class session(s).

Responses may take many forms. You may submit written chapter summaries, questions about the readings, challenges to particular theories or points covered in the text, drawings, photographs, poems, videos, or songs. I’m open to almost anything. That said, the response must be original (i.e. you made it yourself), be created specifically for this class (don’t give me a picture you snapped for last semester’s photography seminar), and relate to the assigned subject matter (e.g. don’t turn in a sonnet about your dog’s eyes when we are reading about effective listening). If you choose a “non-traditional” response, such as a photo, poem, video, etc., it should be accompanied by a one-page written account detailing how the response relates to the class material.

Assignments will be discussed in further detail as the semester progresses. That said, if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.

Attendance & Participation: 10%

Attendance is crucial if you hope to do well. What’s more, merely showing up and tuning out does little to further your education. As a result, students are expected to participate actively in the classroom experience. I want students to be engaged. I encourage everyone to take part in classroom discussions and activities. But what if you don’t like to speak in class? If you are not into small group communication? Fret not! You may participate in other ways. You may earn participation points by emailing me with discussion points, YouTube videos, social media posts, etc. that relate to topics covered in our readings. These often serve as terrific catalysts for in-class discussions. Bottom line, you don’t have to speak in class but I do expect you to demonstrate that you are engaging with the material.

Students are allowed 2 unexcused absences. Additional absences will have a negative impact on your grade.

Calculating Your Grade: No online grade book is used for this course. Thus, students are encouraged to keep all graded assignments and keep track of their own grades. In the event that a student would like to estimate where they stand in the course, they should use those grades and adjust them to the percentages noted in this syllabus.