English 377 Course Requirements and Grades

Attendance: Since this is an interactive, discussion-oriented class, I expect you to be present, prepared, and participating. If you must miss class, it’s your responsibility to find out what went on. While I do not differentiate between “excused” and “unexcused” absences, please let me know of any problems or illnesses that may affect your attendance or ability to complete assignments on time. If something is due and you are absent, I will have to consider it late unless you have contacted and made arrangements with me beforehand. The attendance portion of the grade will be determined in the following way: each person starts with 1.33 points and receives .33 points for attending each complete class session, up to a maximum of 10 points.

Papers: There will be two 5-7 page papers worth 20% each. All papers should be word processed in accord with MLA style. Papers rife with errors will be graded down; egregiously sloppy papers will be returned unread for correction and considered late. Papers are due at the end of class; the final grade of late papers will be reduced a full letter grade (10 points). No papers will be accepted more than one week after the due date. Because of the process-oriented, workshop approach to writing in the course, drafts are also required. Late or inadequate rough drafts will lower a paper's ultimate grade by half a letter grade (5 points), as will failure to make adequate comments on your fellow group members' drafts. Information and guidelines on how to draft, critique, and revise a paper are contained in Writing a Literature Paper; class members are expected to examine this resource and apply it to their work. I also encourage you to consult with me about your writing, in person or over e-mail, at any stage of the process--writing is a skill best learned by coaching.

Web Assignments: Six short writing assignments utilizing the World Wide Web are due at irregular intervals during the term. You must complete four of them. These assignments will not be graded, but you receive full credit only if they are completed fully and submitted on time. They may be handwritten, word processed, or submitted in an e-mail message. No web assignment will be accepted more than a week after the due date. Students may complete additional web assignments for up to two points (total) on their final course average.

Exams: The mid-term quiz will be administered in class on October 27 and will consist of identification and/or short answer questions. The final exam will cover material from the entire course and will consist of identification, short answer, and essay questions. It is scheduled for Saturday, December 17, from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. For information and advice about this course's exams, see Advice on Studying for and Taking the Final Exam.