Victorian Studies: Class Participation Grade
This grade will acknowledge class attendance, level of preparedness, and attentiveness.
Attendance: This is an opportunity for you to increase your term grade simply by attending class regularly. I will take attendance at the beginning of each class. You may miss three classes each term without losing points. Everyone begins with 100% and after three classes I decrease your participation grade by 10% per class missed. There will be no exceptions for illness unless a medical note has been filed with the Registrar's office. I know the hour is early, but please be on time for class. If you are consistently late, you will disrupt the class, particularly the person presenting that day. Consistent lateness will affect your participation grade.
Preparedness: Please come to class having read the material. Our classes will follow discussion format rather than lecture and you will not enjoy yourself if you have not read the material. You have an obligation to me, to those presenting, and to yourselves to come ready to participate in class. If you are silent all term, you will receive only 50% of the participation grade, even if you have attended regularly. If you make an effort to contribute now and again, you will receive the full grade, provided your attendance is in order and you are attentive as per the criteria below. I'll help you along by calling on you now and again to give everyone a chance to speak.
Attentiveness: This criterion for the grade has to do with courtesy and respect. I realize that many students like to take notes on their laptops, but Internet surfing, electronic chatting, or games playing in class are all activities that affect not only you, but everyone in the room. Students close to you will be distracted, as will I or whoever is in front of the class presenting that day. If you cannot refrain from these activities, you should leave your laptop at home. If I see this going on, I will let you know that your participation grade is in peril.