Grading procedures
Assignments will either be collected in class or posted
to the T206
Oncourse site. Each assignment will have its delivery method and due
date listed on the class schedule. Grade records will be maintained
using Oncourse. Understand that Oncourse is
used for reporting scores on individual assignments; NOT official final grades.
Two very important points that will effect your grade:
Midterm exam (50 points)
This exam is scheduled just before spring break. The format will mix multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer.
Final exam (100 points)
The final exam is cumulative and will be given at the end of the term. The format of the final will also mix multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer.
If you have testing difficulties, you should speak to the staff at University Disability Services. They are a very helpful and will work with me to make sure that your needs are accommodated. I cannot make accommodations after the exam or on the exam day. These arrangements need to be made well in advance of any test.
In each exam you will be tested on the materials presented in the readings, lectures, and
class discussions. Remember to bring a photo id and #2 pencils on the day of each exam.
See the class schedule for the date of the Midterm exam.
The Final Exam will take place 10:15 am - 12:15 pm on Tuesday, May 3
Quizzes (36 points)
There will be up to 8 quizzes worth 6 points each. None will be announced, but you should expect them fairly frequently. Conventional quizzes will consist of 6 questions on each quiz, usually 2 from each lecture and 4 from the readings. Most quizzes will be administered in discussion but not all. You will receive at least 1 point for just taking the quiz. At the end of the semester, the two lowest of your quiz scores will be thrown out. (Unless you merely missed a quiz and received a 0, in which case these scores may not be deducted). We will also, from time to time, assign short answer questions in lecture which may count as quizzes.
Quizzes are not intended as punishment. I believe that a quiz should be used as a benchmark against which to compare your progress. The proper way to approach a quiz is not to cram or study heavily--rather it is to pay attention in class, ask questions along the way, and seek clarification when needed. A student who keeps up with the readings, attends lectures and discussions, and asks questions will have no problem with the quizzes.
As a special reward for attentive students who regularly attend lectures and discussions, I always include some questions that are specifically related to material shown in class which only those attending could confidently answer correctly.
Participation (24 points)
Participation will be monitored throughout the term. Your grade for participation will be based on your collegiality: Do you ask questions? Do you offer alternative ideas? Do you enrich the overall class environment? These represent a general kind of positive participation and will help earn a high participation grade. Negative participation includes: belligerence (wholesale rejection of an idea without offering an alternative); rudeness; silence; sleeping; lack of concern for others; leaving early without notification; arriving late without notification; using a cell-phone in class; and anything that disturbs the constructive flow of class. Engage in any of these and your participation grade will suffer.
Projects (three; each with a different point value)
In T206 you will work on three projects that challenge your creativity and command of the production techniques we have studied.
Extra Credit
You may earn up to 20 points of extra credit for this course. We will offer extra credit for early submission of the two main projects in the class. Students who turn their projects in a week early will receive 5 points of extra credit. Less than a week, but before 24 hours prior to the posted deadline: 3 points of extra credit.
There may be other opportunities for extra credit, which will be announced at the appropriate time.
Grading calculations
Oncourse should maintain a grade total for you throughout the term. Additionally, at any point during the semester you can calculate your grade by dividing the number of points you've
earned by the number of possible points. Then, multiply that number by 100 to get your grade percentage.
For instance if we've done one 5 point quiz and one 20 point critique the possible points are 25. If you scored 4 and 19 respectively,
your total points are 23. Now, do the math: 23/25 = .92 * 100 = 92% You have earned an A-.
Grade percentages ≥0.5% will be rounded up to the next letter grade as appropriate.
The following grade descriptions have been adapted from the grade definitions defined by student and faculty members of the Committee on Improvement of Instruction.
| Grade | Percentage | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97-100 | Amazing performance; rarely ever happens. |
| A | 93-96 | Superior performance; student work goes far above and beyond requirements of the course; demonstrates a command of course material through an innovative and creative application of concepts; far exceeds course expectations. |
| A- | 90-92 | Excellent performance; student work goes far above and beyond requirements of the course; demonstrates a command of course material through an innovative and creative application of concepts. |
| B+ | 87-91 | Very good performance; student work meets requirements and demonstrates creative or thoughtful application of course material; exceeds course expectations. |
| B | 83-86 | Solid work; student performance meets requirements and demonstrates a good understanding of course material. |
| B- | 80-82 | Above average; work that meets requirements and demonstrates better than average understanding of course material. |
| C+ | 77-79 | Work that meets requirements and shows promise. |
| C | 73-76 | Work that meets all basic requirements. |
| C- | 70-72 | Work that meets requirements but is not especially polished or thoughtful. |
| D+ | 67-69 | Below average work. |
| D | 63-66 | Below average work. |
| D- | 60-62 | Below average work. |
| F | < 60 | Failing. |