EXAMS: There will be a series of mid-term exams and a final exam, as indicated on the schedule. The mid-terms will include questions from what we've covered up to that point in the class, and the final exam will be comprehensive. That means all the chapters in the text and any other material may be included on the test.

The exams will be mostly true-false and multiple choice questions but may also include different kinds of questions such as matching, filling in the blank, and short answer essay. I try to ask straightforward questions that can be answered fairly easily if you know the material. The average score on exams in my classes is usually in the mid-70% range.

If the office of Disabled Student Services has determined that you are eligible to take exams under special conditions have them notify me of that IMMEDIATELY. That way we can make the necessary arrangements for you to take the exams.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: You are required to do a series of short written assignments. They are each described in more detail later in this syllabus. The following requirements apply to all the written assignments:

(1) Written work must be sent as the body of an e-mail message, not as an attachment unless otherwise indicated. Be sure to correct typographical and spelling errors before you turn assignments in or expect to lose some points. You may not like paying attention to detail, but the form something comes in is important and you should get used to it.

(2) Your assignment must be written using Standard American English conventions of language use. Basically, that means write like someone who is educated well enough to be in college. If you're like most students, you'll make a few mistakes now and then, but what you say should be easy to follow and, in general, grammatically correct. So be sure to write your assignments well and PROOF READ them before you turn them in. Poorly written assignments will result in a lower score.

 NOTE: NEVER write "alot" or "alright" on a paper you submit for this class; they will automatically cause you to lose points. Both should be two word phrases: "a lot" and "all right." (You wouldn't write "alittle" or "alwrong" would you?)

 A suggestion about written work for this class, or any other class you take: Do college level work and make a habit of showing pride in the work you turn in if you want it to be taken seriously.

(3) You may turn in any assignments early if you want, but they must be in by noon on the due dates indicated in the schedule. If they come in later--even later the same day--they will be considered late and lose 10% of the total possible for each day they are late. I don't like being rigid about deadlines but they are a fact of life and there's no good reason why this class should be any different. Besides, it's not fair to the people who made the effort to do the work on time to pretend the deadlines don't matter.

 Written assignments will not be accepted more than two days after the date they are due.

Other written assignments may be added during the semester if they seem helpful.

 

FINAL PAPER: You will do a final paper that calls for you to apply principles of critical thinking to a general topic. The details of that assignment are explained at assignment #5.