Course Practices Required

1. You will keep in which you will record your reactions to the assigned readings and your responses to questions that I will pose in class. The journal should not consist of notes or summaries of the readings. Rather, you should discuss your interpretations and critical responses to works of literature, art, history, and philosophy.  Be sure to offer arguments for your positions. You may also consider ways in which the material we read in class relates to your own experiences. Your journal will be collected several times during the semester. You will improve the grade on your journal if you respond to my questions and comments.  Your final journal should be at least 15 typewritten pages. I expect you to make every effort to write well.  However, I will not penalize students for minor errors in grammar, usage, or spelling.  However, the structure of your sentences and paragraphs must be appropriate or you will fail to convey your ideas. In the interest of preserving trees, your journal should not be more than double-spaced, should not use larger than 12-point type, and should not have extra-large margins or large blank spaces between sections.
   
   

2. In this class, participation is extremely important. 25% of your grade will be based on class participation. You now have an A for class participation. You may miss one class and still have that A for participation.  If you miss two or three classes, you will have a B for participation.  If you miss four or five classes, you will have a C.  If you miss six or seven classes, you will have a D.  On most days participation credit will simply be based on attendance. If you come to class after I have taken attendance, talk to me after class, and I will give you half credit for the day.  On days when we do small group work, participation credit will be based on the successful completion of that work.  I will offer extra credit opportunities to make up for absences.  Many of these extra credit opportunities will all involve attending Oakton events such as Women's Day or plays produced at Oakton.  You can also receive extra credit by visiting the Art Institute in downtown Chicago.  To get extra credit for such events, you will need to turn in proof of attendance and a brief critical response.  I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences.  However, if you need to be absent because of something such as religious holidays or family emergency, I will absolutely guarantee that you will have ways to earn the extra credit that will compensate for your absence.

3. There will be four quizzes.  The quizzes will have both an objective component and a short essay component.  I will distribute a study guide to help you prepare for these quizzes.  If you miss a quiz, you may contact me and make up that quiz in the Testing Center before the next class.  If you fail to make up a quiz before I hand it back to the class, you will need to take a make-up essay exam later in the semester.
   
   

4. There will be a final exam covering all the material in the course.  The essay part of the final can be completed at home; the objective part will be taken in class.
   
   

5. In the event of unusual circumstances such as hospitalization or compulsory military service,  I will work out alternative ways for students to complete class requirements.

Methods of Evaluation

      1.       The journal will count for 30% of your final grade.

      2.       The quizzes will count for 30% of your final grade.

Disabilities

Oakton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status in admission to and participation in its educational programs, activities and services, or employment practices.  The College does not tolerate sexual harassment or sexual assault by or of its students or employees.

In keeping with this policy of tolerance and non-discrimination, in this class all of us (myself included) should strive to listen and give careful consideration to all ideas expressed in class, especially those that are different from our own, without attacking or demeaning the people who have those views.  We should also strive to avoid using insulting terms or telling offensive jokes when talking to or about individuals or groups.

Instructor information

Des Plaines Office……3614                                         E-mail……hgraff@oakton.edu

Des Plaines Telephone……847-376-7033          Web Page…..http://www.oakton.edu/~hgraff

My office hours are as follows:   Mondays……9:00-10:45

Tuesdays……1:30-3:00

Wednesdays……5:30-6:20

Thursdays……1:30-3:00

Fridays…..2:00-4:30 

Please feel welcome to stop by and chat, and be sure to see me if you are having difficulties in the course. If you cannot make any of these times, please see me for an appointment.  In the interest of establishing a non-authoritarian classroom atmosphere, I would prefer that you call me by my first name which is Holly.  

Author: Hollace Graff,
Oakton Community College
Updated: August 10, 2005