You are expected to come to ALL classes. You are expected to arrive on time and stay until the class period ends. If you know that you have to leave early, you should notify me before class starts. You cannot pass the class under any circumstances if you miss ten classes.
You are expected to treat faculty and other students with respect. Do not disrupt class by leaving and reentering during class. Do not distract us by making noise. Be attentive to comments made by the instructor and by your peers. Do not sleep, or even appear to be sleeping, read the newspaper or other materials, write letters home, knit sweaters, practice the pineapple dance, etc. Students who violate these minimal expectations will be asked to leave and counted as absent.
Beverages are permitted in the class. Shoes are optional. All animals brought for sacrifice must be properly washed, inspected, and tethered before slaughter.
You are expected to have read and thought about the assigned material BEFORE you come to class. I expect and encourage class participation, and it counts for 10% of your grade. Be prepared to ask questions about material you did not understand and to comment on and discuss material you found provocative. I recommend that you take notes on your questions and thoughts while you read and bring these to class for discussion. If I discover that you have not completed the assigned reading, your participation grade will suffer. Your participation grade (and your personal satisfaction) will be helped by contributions that make the class better for yourself and others. These include:
- Responding to questions that are posed in class
- Asking good questions
- Presenting alternative views to those raised by class readings, other students, or the instructor
- Comments that encourage other speakers
- Comments that clarify or summarize ongoing class discussion
- Contributions which demonstrate connections you see between material in this course and other experiences or courses you have had
- Asking questions of guest lecturers
- BEING A GOOD LISTENER (participation does not have to be verbal; being alert and attentive is a positive contribution)
In addition to this type of positive participation, negative participation can reduce your grade. Examples include:
- Disrupting class by habitually coming in late, coming and going from the classroom during class, and talking, singing, or humming while others are speaking
- Consistently interrupting another speaker, failing to listen to others' ideas
- Derailing the discussion through rudeness, condescension, and personal attacks
- Distracting the class by putting your head down or otherwise publicly performing your lack of interest or attention
- Not participating in the relevant discussion when the class is divided into small groups
I realize that not everyone feels comfortable talking in a group or with all forms of class participation. For many people it takes practice. If you are attempting to increase your comfort and skill in class participation and would like suggestions or encouragement, please talk with me.