This handout is also available in PDF.
Summary:
The course front door provides a quick summary of
the weights of various components of the course. The
narrative on teaching and learning provides
some general perspectives on how I grade. This document provides
a bit more detail on how I will be grading this class.
Contents:
My experience shows that students who turn in work late learn
significantly less than students who turn material in on time.
(I'm not sure about cause and effect.) Hence, I strongly discourage
late assignments. Unless prior arrangements have been made, assignments
are due within five minutes of the start of class. After that they are
considered late. Late assignments are penalized approximately
one letter grade per day late (or fraction thereof).
Because I am concerned about your health and well being, I will waive
the late penalty if (1) you start the assignment at least three days
in advance of the due date; (2) you get to sleep by midnight the night
before the assignment is due; (3) you expend a reasonable amount of
effort to complete the assignment by midnight; (4) you turn in a note
attesting to facts (1), (2), and (3) when the assignment is due; and (5)
you talk to me ASAP about any problems you've had on the assignment.
If you are ill, I will make appropriate accomodations. Please let me
know as soon as possible if illness will make it difficult for you to
turn in an assignment on time.
As I suggest in my statement on teaching
and learning, I don't think you learn the material as well if you
don't participate actively in the class. I also know that if you're not
here, you can't participate. Hence, a portion of your grade is based on
participation and attendance. Students who miss no more than two classes
and who regularly answer questions or make comments in class receive 90
for participation. Missing 3-5 classes results in a 10 point penalty.
Missing 6-8 classes results in a 25 point penalty. Missing 9 or more
classes results in a 50 point penalty. Particularly good answers,
comments, and questions result in bonus points for participation.
(A few students with schedule conflicts have arranged to regularly miss
one day per week. Such students will not be penalized for missing those
days.)
Because I do not want you to come to class when you are ill (and
likely to infect others), I am likely to moderate this grading scheme
for illness.
I have tried a variety of strategies for homework in 151. This semester,
I will be assigning one homework for week (except in weeks in which an
exam or project is due). All assignments (except for exams and projects)
will be due on Wednesdays. I expect that each assignment will take
between two and three hours. If an assignment takes longer, there is
probably something wrong with both the assignment and your understanding,
so please come see me as soon as possible or raise the issue in class.
When grading homework this semester, I will typically use a
plus/check/minus/zero system. Homework that is primarily correct
will earn you a check. Errors will earn you a check-minus or a minus.
Significant errors may earn you a zero. Failure to turn the assignment in
will earn you a zero. Particularly nice work will earn you a check-plus
or a plus. At the end of the semester, I will convert the symbols to a letter or numeric grade. If your grades a mostly checks, you will
earn a B. Plus grades on approximately 1/4 of the graded assignments
plus checks on remaining assignments will earn you an A. Minus grades
on the majority of the assignments will earn you a C. Zero grades will
earn you an even lower grade.
When grading exams this semester, I will begin each student at 100 points
and remove points for each error I encounter. When I encounter something
particularly exceptional, I may add points. I typically guarantee
minimum grades on examinations for students who spend a reasonable amount
of time on the exam. (Warning: My view of reasonable
may be
somewhat longer than your view.)
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