Class Policies
Electronic Devices: Electronic devices will not be allowed during class. All readings should be printed before class and brought to class discussion. Computers, cell phones and other wireless devices should be turned off and put away before class starts.
Texting during class is disrespectful and disruptive (and rarely unnoticed), especially in a discussion-based class. If you are seen texting during class you will receive a 0 for the day’s attendance and participation grade. I will not issue warnings.
Time-Management and Deadlines: The deadlines for all classwork are clearly marked on this syllabus and in the class calendar so as to help you anticipate your workload and manage your time to meet these deadlines. I am happy to meet with you to discuss strategies for meeting these deadlines in advance of the due date.
Late papers will automatically be marked down 1/3 of a letter grade after the submission deadline has passed. They will be marked down an additional 1/3 of a letter grade for each additional 24-hour period that they are late. Papers and assignments that have not been received within 72 hours after the deadline will not be accepted and will receive no credit (i.e. a 0)
Office Hours and Communication: I will have office hours every Monday and Wednesday afternoons. I encourage you to come and see me during these office hours if you find that you are having trouble with the course and its material, need help with assignments, or simply wish to discuss the material further. If you have a conflict with my office hours you may also e-mail me to set up an appointment for an alternative time. However, if you make an appointment (whether in office hours or outside of them) and are unable to keep the meeting, please e-mail me to cancel or reschedule the meeting as soon as possible (and certainly before the appointment begins).
I am also happy to respond to formally composed and signed e-mails containing quick questions and clarifications, but anything that requires a detailed response (such as questions about class performance, grades, help with reading and assignments) needs to be discussed in person. E-mails that do not include the student’s name will not receive a response.
Academic Honesty: Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will result in two actions:
The infraction will be reported to the University.
You will receive a 0 (i.e. no credit) for the assignment in question.
If you have two instances of academic dishonesty within the semester you will be given an F for the class.
I will not make any exceptions to this policy.
The university offers a definition of what constitutes honest academic work and advice about how to avoid academic dishonesty at http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/academic/academic_honesty.html. Please consult this page before the second week of class.
Accommodations for Disabilities and Learning Differences: Students who need accommodations for disabilities and learning differences must have an Accommodation Letter from the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (OSSD). Please contact Barbara Sirois, Director of Services for Students with Disabilities in B2-271 or at (646) 312-4590.
Additional information can also be found on at this website: http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/studentaffairs/disabilityServices_RRstudents.htm
Please give Dr. Heath your Accommodations Letter by the beginning of the second week of the semester.
Assignments
Attendance and Participation: Attendance is mandatory for all class meetings. However, it is not enough to simply attend. Discussions (in-class and online) will be the main way that we, as a class, learn. In order for these discussions to work you must participate! Active participation entails: having completed the assigned readings and assignments in advance of class; being prepared to talk and contribute your ideas and observations in class discussions, class activities, and the class blog; responding to the contributions of your classmate in class; asking questions of your classmates and engaging in sustained dialogue about readings and assignments; being prepared to lead discussion when called upon; overall engagement.
To encourage everyone to participate (and to encourage their classmates to participate), your participation grade will be evaluated in the following fashion: 80% of your participation grade will be determined solely by your participation in class. 20% of your participation grade will be determined by an evaluation of class participation as a whole. It is therefore everyone’s responsibility to ensure that everyone in the class contributes in a meaningful and substantive manner at least once per class session. We will discuss strategies to ensure that this happens during the first day of the semester.
If you have problems speaking in class you must come talk to me before the third class session so that we can figure out strategies to help you participate.
Reading Assignments: Readings are assigned for each class and should be done before you arrive for class. You must bring paper copies of readings to class with you—electronic devices will not be allowed.
Blog Posts
Students will be expected to submit weekly posts to the course blog site reflecting on assigned readings and materials. In addition students will be expected to write a substantive comment on a classmate’s post at least once a week. You will be assigned to a writing/comment schedule the second day of class. Instructions will be distributed at the same time. Blogs and comments will count for 20% of your final grade.
Primary Source Analysis
Students will be asked to write a primary source analysis in which they analyze two sources (one historical and one literary) from the first half of the class. Complete instructions will be distributed 2 weeks prior to the deadline. The analysis will count for 20% of your final grade.
Final Project and Presentations
The final project consists of two elements: a short research paper and an oral presentation based on this research at the mini-conference that will be organized for the end of the semester. Together the final paper and presentation will count for 40% of your final grade.
Grading
Attendance and Class Participation: 20%
Blog Assignments: 20%
Primary Source Analysis: 20%
Final Paper and Presentation: 40%