»»Ideas/Helping out
If at any time you have any ideas or suggestions you would like to share
with me or with the class, please let me know (in person or through
e-mail)! Any questions or concerns you have about your work or the class
can be voiced to me outside of class, during my office hours. I'm only
the instructor -- you make the class.
(back to Contents) »»Assignments
Assigned writing must be turned in on time or it will receive no
credit. Students absent during any class are still responsible for turning in
assignments. I will return student papers as soon as possible to facilitate the
writing process.
(back to Contents) »»Class Participation
Simply attending class is not enough; you are expected to actively
participate. Ask questions and offer comments. Having assigned texts read
(and with you) helps the rest of the class,
since everyone can equally interact. Remember also: participation
requires attendance. If you're not ready, don't show up (no, this is not
an excused absence). Conferences count as class time, as does the
listserve (q.v. below).
(back to Contents) »»Listserv SPRING-0541-L@lists.ufl.edu
I will subscribe all class members to our central e-mail "list," or
listserve, an informal venue for posting questions, comments,
observations, insights, and gripes about the readings to everyone in
class (including me). ("Informal" does not mean "sloppy and
inconsiderate.") Listserves frequently stimulate class conversation, and
offer shy students opportunities to contribute more fully to the course
outside the classroom environment. You are required to contribute to the
listserve. Sometimes specific listserve assignments will be required; other
times, general comments will be requested. I also use the listserve to e-mail you
URLs for schedule updates and paper assignments. (back to Contents) »»Quizzes
"Pop" quizzes can/will be given as necessary to encourage attentive reading.
Quizzes will be averaged together, and counted with any "short work" (brief
assignments for grammar, etc.) assigned. (back to Contents) »»Paper Formatting WARNING:I will not accept papers that do not follow all these
guidelines. Papers that do not follow these guidelines will be returned
unread, and counted late.
If you do not already know how your computer's word-processing
program works, learn how to work it now. You, not your computer,
are responsible for all fonts, font sizes, margins, headers, ink color in the
papers you submit to me. If you use one of the campus computer labs, you
and not the lab staff are responsible for those same elements. You are
responsible for when you hand in your papers: you cannot blame either your
computer or computer lab staff for late papers.
Type or computer print all papers written outside of class (including
drafts). The print must be dark, clear, and easy to read; black ink
only -- no green, blue, or other color acceptable. No handwritten work
for out-of-class assignments will be accepted -- ever. All papers must be in either
courier or palatino fonts. Maintain font size 12 throughout the paper, including the cover
sheet -- padding your paper by printing in a large font will
drop your grade automatically.
Use standard white 8 1/2 x 11" typing or printer-bond paper; no newsprint-style paper
acceptable. Type must be
double-spaced, and on one side of each page only. Maintain margins at
one inch from all sides of the paper. Include a cover sheet (see example
in course packet), with your name, the paper title, course number, the
date, and whether the document is a draft (or draft#) or a final (in
that order).
Do not number the first page of your paper, but include your
last name and appropriate page number for all subsequent pages, in a header in the
upper right-hand corner, one-half in ch from the top of the page.
Staple papers BEFORE you turn them in -- do not
rely on me for a stapler. Papers not stapled will be returned unread and counted late.
Check page number order; if I receive a paper with pages out of order, I will read them in the order presented to me and grade them accordingly.
Citation and documentation of sources must follow current MLA guidelines for
research papers.
All papers must carry a cover sheet, with the following information centred and in the same size and font as the paper text: student name, paper title, course number and section, date.
If we work through more than one draft of a paper, you must turn in all
drafts with the final copy in a double-pocket folder. If I have seen previous
drafts and you do not turn them in with your final copy, I will lower your final
paper grade one full letter.
Papers turned in late or counted late without prior clearance from me will be returned at my whim.
See the 1000-level
paper writing tips site for guidance.
(back to Contents) »»Class Conduct & Harassment
You are expected to show respect for diverse opinions (both mine and
peers') during in-class discussion, in papers, during conferences, on the listserve, and in e-mail.
You are also expected to participate in class discussion in a
responsible, respectful, adult manner, presenting opinions but also permitting
others to present their opinions. Harassment -- comprising name-calling,
derogatory comments, and rudeness of any sort -- directed toward either
myself or another student will not be tolerated. One instance will
receive a verbal reprimand; more than one will damage your class-participation
grade; continued incidents will result in expulsion from the class and
disciplinary measures by University authorities. [Text adapted from
official English Department Policies.]
(back to Contents) »»Pagers & Cell Phones
All pagers and cell phones must remain switched off during class
meetings and individual conferences. If your pager or cell phone goes
off during class time or individual conferences, you will be counted
unexcusedly absent and receive no credit for that day. Repeated
incidents of class disruption by pagers, cell phones, or other
electronic devices will result in me asking you to leave class.
(back to Contents) »»Attendance/Absences/Tardiness
Class attendance is mandatory. Roll will be taken each class session. Two
absences are permitted to each student with no questions asked. More than two
unexcused absences after those will result in a student's grade being lowered in
one-letter increments. (Excused absences include those for University
sports/music/academic programs with prior notification on paper from those departments;
for illness with a verifiable doctor's note; and for religious holy days with
prior notice.) If you anticipate an absence, do not call the UF English
Depatrment; instead, notify me in person or by e-mail. Contact other
students and find out what assignments or notes you missed in class -- remember:
as stated above, students absent during any class are still responsible for
completing readings and turning in assignments for the next class session.
Tardiness disrupts the class flow. Arrive to class
on time -- not five or ten minutes later. Parking difficulties are
immaterial -- make efforts to arrive earlier on campus. Three late
arrivals count as an unexcused absence (don't rely on this: tardies
accumulate quickly). If you are absolutely unavoidably late, enter the
classroom as quietly as possible and take the nearest seat (don't trek
across the room); if you are compelled to explain your late arrival,
approach me about it after class.
(back to Contents) »»Academic Honesty
Unless otherwise indicated by me in connection with group work, all work
must be individual, original, and written for this class. Evidence of unauthorized collusion
(working with another student or tutor), plagiarism (use of another's
ideas, data, and statements without acknowledgment or minimal
acknowledgment -- see Plagiarism entry below), or multiple submissions (submitting the same work for
more than one class), will lead to procedures set up by the University
for academic dishonesty. All students are expected to honor their
commitment to the University's Honor Code. [Text adapted from official
English Department Policies]
(back to Contents) »»Plagiarism
Plagiarism, quite simply, comprises taking any amount of someone else's
work and claiming it as your own. This is not the same as paraphrasing
or quoting (where you give credit for another person's work). Plagiarism by any student will result in failure from the
course; will be reported to department and school authorities; and could
result in expulsion from the university. Plagiarism is no way to learn
-- why risk it?
(back to Contents) »»Student Grievance
Complaints about separate assignments should be discussed with me.
Complaints about the final grade should be discussed with me in at least
one conference soon after the next term begins. If the conference on the
final grade does not resolve the problem in a valid, college-level
manner, the complaint can be expressed on a form in the English Department Office,
4008 Turlington; the form must be accompanied with copies of every
assignment and the instructor's directions. The form and accompanying
course material will be given to the Director of Writing Programs for
further action. Please note that the department does not review a
complaint about a single assignment, nor will it review a complaint
about final grades unless all assignments are submitted along with the
instructor's directions for the assignments. The review committee may
decide the grade should remain as is or be raised or lowered; its
decision is final. [Text adapted from official English Department
Policies]
(back to Contents)
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