Attendance is mandatory. More than two unexcused absences will result in the lowering of your final grade by a full grade [an A becomes a B]. More than three unexcused absences results in a failing grade. An unexcused absence is an absence for which you do not receive a note from the Health Center or Dean of Student's Office.Class participation is mandatory. Seminars only work if all participants share their own ideas and respond to those of others. Do not take this class unless you are willing to talk in class.
Assignments are due on the dates listed on the syllabus. No make ups will be allowed and I will accept no late assignments unless you receive an excuse from the Dean's Office. Failure to hand in an assignment on the date on which it is due will result in you receiving a "0" for that assignment.
Use Common Sense: If you are sick, do not come to class and spread your germs. Go to the health center and get [prescription] drugs. If you have a personal or family situtation that requires you to be away from class - go to the Dean's Office and attend to the problem. BUT, if you've simply forgotten to do your homework, COME TO CLASS. The single greatest cause of disasters in first year seminars arise from failure to attend class. It is better to attend unprepared, than to fail to attend.
You will submit types of written assignments: "five paragraph essays," article reports, bibliographies and short research papers. As a preliminary matter, I urge you to become acquainted with the folks at the Bates College Writing Workshop. If you believe that you already write well, they will help you to write better. If you don't believe you write well, they will help you acquire the skills you will need to come to a different conclusion. I have never had a student whose writing didn't improve after he/she had worked with the Writing Workshop.
Students who receive a D or F on a written assignment must rewrite the assignment.