This course is a HASS-D and a Communication Intensive (CI) subject. So you must write at least 20 pages, divided among three papers,which are to be 6-8 pages (roughly 2000 words) each. You must also rewrite these first two papers in light of the comments you receive on them. You will get the papers back one week after they have been handed in, and must submit your rewrite one week later. The rewrite needs to be responsive to the comments on the first version, and the evaluation of the rewrite will be based inpart on how well you respond. (So if you get a B+ on the first draft, and do notrevise in light of comments, you may end up with a B- or C on the rewrite.) On the third paper, the rewrite is optional. If you plan to do rewrite, you must make an arrangement with your TA on timing. Policies on late papers and on additional rewrites beyond those mandated by the requirements (rewrites undertaken with the intention to improve a grade) will be set by your teaching assistant.
You will find paper topics, and some rules of thumb for writing papers in the assignments section. Be sure to review the Rules before writing the first paper.
There is no final examination.
Because this is a CI course, you will automatically pass Phase 1 of the Writing Requirement if you receive a grade of B or better.
Grading
The papers count for 80% of the final grade. Your grade on each of the first two papers will be a weighted combination of the grades on the original and the rewrite, with the rewrite counting twice as much as the original. The other 20% of the grade will be based on your contribution to discussion in the recitation sections (the oral communication part of the course). To meet this requirement, you are expected to attend the recitations regularly, and participate regularly and constructively in discussion. You cannot substitute additional written work in place of this requirement. Your TA will give you a mid-semester, preliminary grade on your contribution to discussion.
The teaching assistants will grade your papers. Should you have any question about the fairness of a grade, bring the matter to my attention right away. It is especially important in this course that students not be penalized—or even think they are being penalized—for the content of their views.
Incompletes
You can get an Incomplete only if you have completed two papers, including the rewrites. These conditions are necessary, not sufficient, for an incomplete. I will decide requests for Incompletes on their merits. I want to underscore that you must request an incomplete, and that requests are to come to me, not to the TAs. Students who do not hand in all the work and do not request an Incomplete will receive an F.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism comes in two forms, both unacceptable. First, you plagiarize when you use the words of a source without quotation marks. If you take words from a source, you must use quotation marks, not just a footnote. Moreover, you should not present a close paraphrase from a source: either use the exact words with quotation marks, or put the point in your own words. Second, you plagiarize if you take ideas from a source without footnoting the source. Sanctions for plagiarism depend on its severity, and may range from lower grades on an assignment to a failing grade for the course.