You must satisfy the course requirements and recieve at least a C- average
on all the graded work in order to receive credit for the course.
We will compute the grade on a simple
percentage form: 90 - 100% = A; 80 - 89% = B; 70 - 79% = C; 0 - 69% = NC
(remember, there are no D's or F's in this class).
To do this, we will convert letter grades to numbers using the
following formulas:
Attendance:
Since the written assignments will be made and written in class, and
since a significant amount of the writing will be done in class,
regular class attendance and participation in class discussion and
activities are absolutely necessary to pass this course. Your grade
will be lowered 1/3 letter grade if you have more than four
unexcused absences. A formal record of attendance
will be kept.
A certain number of individual conferences will be required in order to
discuss various aspects of your longer investigative essay. Failure to
attend any of these conferences may result in your receiving a No Credit
for the course. If a problem arises
(Heart attacks, plane crashes, sister abducted by UFOs),
please contact one of us as soon as possible to reschedule the conference.
Assignments:
As you will see on the assignment sheet (still to come), you are
responsible for in-class exercises and writing; out-of-class reading,
computer work, and research; out-of-class reading of all sorts; and a
collaborative project.
You will have a variety of reading assignments. Make sure that you have the
reading done on time and thoroughly. Bring relevant books to class -- we will
be moving between the traditional classroom and the computer lab, so you will
need the Internet book (and other handouts) for lab time, and the others
usually for class.
Plagiarism:
This means copying another person's writing word-for-word, paraphrasing or
summarizing without citing your sources, or (for this class especially)
borrowing someone's graphics without permission. Usually, folks plagiarize
accidentally, and we can catch it in the rough draft before harm is done.
However, for the criminal few who plagiarize intentionally, punishment is
merciless: F for the assignment with no chance of revisions, and possible
referral to the dean of students. Don't plagiarize. Ask for help if you need
it.
Incomplete Policy:
YSU has a new policy concerning incompletes: you must be passing the course
with a C and the problem must be beyond your control. The teacher determines
whether an incomplete is warrented in that situation. All incompletes must
be completed within a year or the grade reverts to an F on your transcript.
Final Notes:
Come see us with any questions or problems you may have. We keep lots of office
hours for this purpose. Our goal is to help you learn to write more
professionally and quickly. We will do everything in our power to help you
as long as we know that you are working hard in the class.