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You are expected to engage with all classes, lectures, and images; to be punctual and attentive; and to be prepared to participate in class assignments. For on-campus classes, note that your presence or absence in the classroom determines only your attendance grade (5% of your course grade); your participation grade (10% of your course grade) depends upon your demonstrated involvement with our assigned material during class discussions. To do so, you should:
1) Complete assignments before the class meeting for which they are assigned
2) Bring the assigned readings and your notes about them to class
3) Demonstrate evidence of your having read the texts and films with care
4) Raise interesting questions and comments in discussion
5) Offer informed, interesting answers to others’ questions and comments
Since everyone will contribute to the teaching/learning experience this semester, this means that you should contribute to the class discussion daily. All students should prepare for class assignments by engaging actively with the readings and images, taking copious notes on all texts, and formulating your questions on each.
Some of our texts will be quite challenging in their format and ideas. To help you most productively interpret and respond to these texts, always practice the following habits during and after each of your readings and screenings:
1) Write down a brief summary the author's(s')/directors' ('s) main points
2) Praise at least two points AND critique at least two points from the reading/film
3) Compare this text to previously assigned readings, films, or class discussions
4) Pose provocative questions for discussion based on the reading/film
If you find something in your readings about which you are confused or curious, don’t just wait until class to ask questions about it. Look up the topic on your own first; often you can find direct references to the subject in the article’s own endnotes or bibliography. And by all means, share your findings with the class so we can all learn more thoroughly about the topic. Also, if you see or hear something outside of class that you think is relevant to our course (including great new films you recommend), please share that information with the class.
For on-campus classes, if you attend all classes, you will earn *extra credit* on your attendance grade. If necessary, two absences will not adversely affect your grade (an A), but each absence thereafter will lower your attendance grade by a full letter grade (an A to a B, etc.). Thus, you should use these two absences well: save them for illness, religious worship, travel, etc. If you arrive at class after I have taken roll, you will be marked “late”; two “late” marks equal one absence. For all students, absence from more than 20% of class meetings and/or assignments is grounds for course failure (an F) and/or administrative withdrawal. If you find that you must miss class lectures, you are still responsible for the material covered during your absence. Be advised that some of our in-class films and images may be difficult to obtain outside of class.
See the Assignments page for a breakdown of the remainder of your overall course grade.