CLASS GRADES and the AP EXAM

1)     An A is an achievement, not a right. That being said, achievement comes from DOING. Above all else, I ask that you DO SOMETHING this year. This is why a significant part of your grade comes from demonstrating that you have done what is asked: reading journal, document reading, speaking to me, etc. The following course components MUST must be completed IN EACH UNIT — there are 3 or 4 units in a semester — in order to be eligible to score above a B(80%):

• reading journal weekly goals maintained (will be checked periodically in class)
• single-page essay
• a cartoon conversation
• unit test

2)     You are required to sit for at least ONE viva-voce exam during EACH semester. This means two during the year. Failure to do so will depress your semester score significantly and may make you eligible for a final exam.

3)     You are required to keep a reading journal. We will discuss how it should be used in class. At times I will collect these to review your journal work.

4)     Active intellectual commitment requires questioning. You are expected to seek knowledge by posing your own questions. These should be recorded in your reading journal and brought regularly into class discussion.

When you receive aHere is a brief outline of what grades mean in the this course:

• A+ (95-100)     Displays a mastery of course content at the highest level; all assignments are completed thoroughly and thoughtfully; analytical writing is insightful and well-developed from themes we’ve discussed in class; participation is class discussion is regular and substantive; an exceptional understanding of both thematic and detailed content is displayed. Questions proposed enhance discussion.
• A (90-94)     Mastery of most of the course content at a high level; analytical writing is insightful and developed; actively participates in discussions, providing commentary and asks trenchant questions
• B+ (85-89)    Displays a better than average understanding of the course content; assignments are completed thoroughly and thoughtfully; analytical writing shows significant development from themes discussed in class; frequently participates in class discussions and asks relevant questions.
• B (80-84)     Displays a sound understanding of the course content; analytical writing shows some development; engagement in discussions is inconsistent – often needs to be called upon to elicit comment.
• C+ (75-79)     Displays a partial understanding of the course content; assignments are not always completed with care; analytical writing is undeveloped and/or uninformed by themes discussed in class; rarely participates substantively in discussions. One or more KEY COMPONENTS of a unit was not completed.
• C  (70-74)      Displays a beginning or rudimentary understanding of the course content; some assignments are missing or not completed with care; analytical writing is problematic and uninformed by themes discussed in class; rarely participates in class discussion. One or more KEY COMPONENTS of a unit was not completed.
• D+ (65-69)     Displays a below-standard grasp of course content; assignments are missing or not completed with care; poor analytical writing with little systematic thought; participates little or not at all in class discussion. Several KEY COMPONENTS of a unit were not completed.
• D (60-64)      Displays little or no understanding of the course content; many assignments are missing or not completed with care; poor analytical writing with little systematic thought; rarely participates in class discussions. Several KEY COMPONENTS of a unit were not completed.

FINAL EXAM in SPRING:

Exemption from a final exam is at the discretion of the instructor. Anyone with 9 absences in the second semester WILL be taking an exam. Anyone who has not completed the viva-voce requirement by the end of regular classes WILL be taking a final exam.