REQUIREMENTS
- Careful reading of all assignments
- Regular attendance at all class meetings and events
- Active (and informed) participation in class discussion
- Weekly problem sets (questions, research assignments, short writing assignments, and more)
- Two blog posts (on some news or insight on the world today)
- Two short exams
- Research paper (8-10 pp.)
- One formal presentation
- Final examination
GRADING
Your grade will measure your effort, the level of your thinking and writing, as well as the progress you make across the semester. The following is offered as a rough guide and we reserve the right to modify it. It assumes a good faith effort on all assignments.
- 10% participation (coming to class prepared, contributing to discussion)
- 30% weekly problem sets
- 5% blog posts
- 20% short exams
- 20% research paper
- 15% final examination
We will grade weekly problem sets, blog posts and presentations on a check/check plus/check minus scale, in which a check equals 5 of 6 points, a check plus equals 6 of 6 points, and a check minus equals 4 of 6 points.
We follow the College of Wooster guidelines for grading. A grade in the “A” range (90-100) indicates excellent work, the “B” range (80-89) indicates good work, the “C” range (70-79) indicates adequate work, the “D” range (60-69) indicates a minimal performance. A grade of “F” (below 60) indicates unsatisfactory work or the failure to complete all course work.
A few extra credit opportunities will be given during the semester. Grade penalties will be applied for poor attendance and/or distractions.