Grading and Evaluation
The grading policy in this course might be a little different than you are used to; it is definitely not the traditional way of grading. Here's how the "grading by contract" policy works:
There are several course assignments available to complete.
Your goal is to complete as many assignments and earn as many points as possible to get the grade you want.
Not all assignments are necessarily required. In other words, you do not have to submit and get a perfect score on every assignment. There is lots of room for flexibility!
The maximum number of points available is 600; however, I will only count up to 500 points (500 points = 100% in the course). In other words, you only need between 450 and 500 points to earn an "A". This means you can miss up to 150 points and still get an "A"! Please see the complete grading scale below.
This is our contract: I provide you assignments and flexibility, and you do the work to get the grade you want.
Discussion Assignments: Weekly discussion activities in Canvas
8 discussions, 5 points each, 40 points possible
Participation Assignments: Occasional activities in Canvas
7 assignments, 10 points each, 70 points possible
Chapter Quizzes: Weekly quizzes in Canvas to review the chapters in the textbook
19 quizzes, 10 points each, 190 points possible
Midterm Exam: One timed exam in the middle of the semester; open book, open notes
1 exam, 100 points possible
Research Project: One project with many small assignments throughout the semester
1 project, 100 points possible
Final Exam: One timed exam at the end of the semester; open book, open notes
1 exam, 100 points possible
A = 500 - 450 points
B = 449 - 400 points
C = 399 - 350 points
D = 349 - 300 points
F = 299 - 0 points
In Canvas, there are three date settings for every discussion, assignment, quiz, or exam: the "start" date (when the assignment opens); the "due" date (when the assignment is due); and the "end" date (when the assignment closes). Any activity that is submitted after the posted due date will be accepted for full points. In other words, I don't penalize students for work submitted past the due date. However, there is a limit to when assignments will be accepted. Once an assignment closes, it is too late at that point.
Because this course has a "grading by contract" policy, which provides a great deal of flexibility to students to complete work that is available, students cannot make up any late or missing assignments (i.e. "closed" assignments). If you miss an assignment, don't worry! Just move on to the next one and try to keep up with the rest of the work.
If you have an extreme circumstance or emergency, just let me know. I will do my best to be flexible, but I encourage you to keep up your end of the contract as well!
Important Note: There is a total of 600 possible points in this course, which is 100 points more than the 500-point maximum that students can earn. This means you can miss up to 150 points and still get an "A"! This also means that students cannot make up any late or missing assignments. If you miss an assignment, don't worry! Just move on to the next one and try to keep up with the rest of the work.
Student Conduct and Expectations
Cheating in any form is absolutely unacceptable in this course. Students caught cheating will receive academic penalties (zero points on the assignment/test in question, up to and including a failing grade for the course), disciplinary action, and/or a referral to the Dean of Student Services. The instructor has the right to penalize students for any inappropriate behavior during the semester.
Some assignments will be verified through the Turnitin app and other plagiarism checkers to reduce cheating. Plagiarism is “representing someone else’s ideas, words, statements or even part of another person's work as one’s own without proper acknowledgment or citation.” I recommend always citing sources you have consulted as well as those you borrow from directly. The following is considered cheating: Copying any content of this course and sharing it with other students; completing work at the same time as another student; screen sharing; or recycling papers written from other courses. Copying someone else’s answers on a discussion forum or parts of their answer, or submitting a blank post are also considered cheating, using any Artificial Intelligence programs to complete assignments in part or in full. All these types of offenses will result in a zero for that assignment and further disciplinary action from the Office of Student Services.
Instructor Copyrighted Materials: all materials in this course are not authorized to be copied, uploaded, or shared online and are my sole property.
Participation and Online Conduct: It is important for all students to participate in class. You are expected to actively participate on a weekly basis and follow the weekly "to-do" list in Canvas. It is also important that we show respect for each other in class. This includes allowing your classmates to express their thoughts and ideas during appropriate times. All students are expected to follow the LAMC Student Code of Conduct as outlined in the College Catalog (pgs. 179-181). The professor has the right to dismiss students from class for inappropriate behavior.
Important Note: If you need help on an assignment, please reach out to me by email in Canvas or during Zoom office hours. It is much better to submit your own work than to copy the work of others. I don't expect perfection! I want to see you succeed, and the only way to do that is to practice!
It’s very important to stay in touch with your instructor throughout the semester. Please use Canvas email to communicate with me outside of class. I check my email several times per day, so if you need to reach me, please email me through Canvas, and I will reply within 48 hours. When you send me an email, please include your class name and section number in the subject line of the email. Also, please include your full name in the body of your email. In addition, if you have any questions or concerns about the course, don't be afraid to reach out. If you have a question about your grades, it is best for us to speak in person (through Zoom or on campus). I prefer not to discuss grades via email.
Participation and Drop Policies
Students who do not participate or stop participating (i.e., logging in to the course, completing work, engaging with the instructor and classmates) at any time during the semester are at risk of being dropped. The instructor will drop any student who 1) does not complete the assignments in the Orientation Module; and/or 2) stops participating for more than two weeks during the semester.
If you feel this class isn't working for you, you can drop at any time prior to the drop deadline. Please contact the instructor before dropping to discuss ways you may be able to continue.
Deadline to Drop without a W: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Deadline to Drop with a W: Sunday, December 1, 2024