COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Grading Criteria

 

Attendance

10%

Class Participation

10%

Quizzes

10%

Midterm and Final 15% Each

30%

Team Project (5% each for City Fact Sheet, Abstract, Proposal, 25% for final project)

40%

Total

100%

 

Grading Scale

91-100% = A

86-90% = B+

80-85% = B

76-79% = C+

71-75% = C

65-70% = D+

61-64% = D

0 - 60 = F

 

Attendance and Participation

It is critical that you attend classes regularly. More than three unexcused absences will seriously affect your grade, which might include an automatic failing of the course. You have to have a legitimate reason for absences (such as medical or family emergencies, etc.) and appropriate documentation in order to be excused. If you have any questions about what constitutes "legitimate", contact me. As a class based on discussion, the quality of the class depends on your participation. To enable you to participate productively, it is necessary that you read the assignments carefully before the class period in which they will be discussed.

I will evaluate participation on the basis of:

·         Correctly answering factual questions

·         Attempting to answer conceptual questions

·         Challenging (respectfully) the opinions of others in the class (including the instructor)

·         Providing critical insights

·         Volunteering in tasks such as individual or group presentations, debates, etc.

 

Quizzes

Quizzes will be given weekly.

Tardiness

If you are not in class at the time I am taking roll, you will get a tardy. Two tardies count as absence. Falling asleep in class counts as a tardy too.

Team Projects

I will assign six teams, three teams for each city. You will have limited choosing in deciding with whom you will be working together and on what topic. The teams will be interdisciplinary and representing people with diverse perspectives. Your team is responsible for placing your revised research project on the web. Throughout the course, you will be required to meet with your group regularly and work together on developing your research projects. A range of tasks has to be accomplished. How you delegate the work within your group is to some extent left up to the group. There will be a grade for the team project overall, but your peers will also evaluate your performance which will go into your own grade for the team project. More information about the team projects will be made available in the second and third week. Check Team Project Guidelines for further details.

Videos

Some videos or video clips will be shown in class. The majority however will be shown outside of class. You will be able to watch those videos through Clarkson TV if you are living on campus, or at any of some specifically designated lounges. Details will be provided in class.

Deadlines

In order to assure fairness to all students, the deadlines for the given assignments are binding. If not stated otherwise, the papers have to be turned in at the beginning of the class period for the day that they are due. Turning an assignment in late will lower your respective score by 10% for each day it is late, unless accompanied by a valid excuse and verifying documentation.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is on the increase. It is a serious offense with far-reaching repercussions. Plagiarizing is defined as appropriating or imitating the language, ideas and thoughts of another author and representation of them as one's original work. To make sure that you don't plagiarize unknowingly, familiarize yourself with the conventions of how to use proper quotes and citations in a scholarly paper. Documentation will be made available throughout the course.

Any student who has been found to be plagiarizing or found to be abetting someone in the act of plagiarism will face disciplinary proceedings. In mild cases it might result in an F in the class, in more serious cases it can lead to the expulsion from the University. There will be no warnings!

Support

Writing Support: The Writing Center is an excellent opportunity to improve your writing skills. Almost anybody can profit from having an experienced reader/writer assist in discussing and developing one's ideas for papers. The writing center also provides invaluable help for learning how to improve style, grammar, punctuation, structure and organization of written assignments. Frequent use will be almost a guarantee for a better grade. Address: 139 Snell Hall, open Monday through Thursday: 12:30-4:30, and 6:30-8:00pm; Friday 12:30-2:30pm, and Sunday (!!!) from 6:30 - 8:00pm. Contact by phone: x4439, contact by http://www.clarkson.edu/~wcenter.

 

Accommodations for Disability

If you need any help because of a disability, please let me know so that we can ensure that you get the assistance you need.