Great Books 2 Keirstead Assignments and Expectations

• Two 5-page papers, each worth 20% of the final grade.   Assignment sheets with suggested topics will be passed out during the semester.

 
• Reading quizzes:  there will be at least one unannounced reading quiz for each book we study, with multiple quizzes for longer books.  At the end of the course, I will drop the lowest quiz grade and count the rest 20% toward your final grade.

 
• A mid-term exam (20%) and final exam (20%).

 
•  Active participation: participation is expected of all students and will be taken into consideration when the final grade is assessed.  Make it your goal each day to say at least two constructive things in class about the assigned reading.  During group work, be attentive, considerate, and helpful.  If your numerical average is on the borderline between two grades, strong participation will earn you the higher grade.  Poor participation will insure that you get the lower grade.  See additional handout for more details.

Absences: You are given three unexcused absences to use at your discretion, except on days when a paper is due or an exam is scheduled:   in fairness to those students completing the work on time, I must verify any excuse that results in an extension.   If you have used up your three absences and an emergency occurs that requires you to miss class, you must provide appropriate documentation to excuse the absence.  See me during office hours to discuss any work that you missed:  that is, please do not ask me before the following class about work missed or send me an e-mail requesting a recap of the previous day's discussion and assignments.  Students with more than three absences will have one full grade (1.0) deducted from the final grade for each additional unexcused absence.

Late papers/missed quizzes and exams:  Papers and other assignments are due at class-time on the days noted in your syllabus.  A paper turned in after the due date will be penalized one letter grade for each day that it is late.  If illness or another emergency prevents you from meeting a deadline or sitting for an exam, please contact me as soon as you know that you cannot come to class.  If you miss a quiz or arrive for class while a quiz is in progress, you will have to make up the quiz during my office hours or at the end of the following class period.   It is your responsibility to arrange a prompt make up of any missed quiz; if not made up within two days, the quiz will be counted a zero (e.g, a quiz missed on Monday should be made up the following Wednesday: Friday would be too late).
 
Classroom behavior: Avoid disruptive or discourteous behavior that creates an unpleasant learning environment for your classmates.  Examples include arriving late; leaving class early; sleeping; not bringing your book; and talking to a neighbor when you should be listening.  If a student continues to be disruptive after being warned to stop, he or she risks failing the course.

Special Accommodations: Students with documentation of special needs should arrange to see me as soon as possible.