Joshua D. Sosin

policies

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This page collects some basic policies under which I operate. The most important one stands at the top: My door is open. If you have any questions at all do not hesitate to contact me.

General | Grading | Participation | Cheating |

General

My door is open

If you have any questions at all do not hesitate to visit me in

Grading Papers

A The paper contains something--creativity, insight, rigor--that goes above and beyond the requirements of the assignment. Default 95%. The paper tackles a particularly challenging problem or brings an unusual and enlightening perspective to a familiar theme.
B The paper meets the announced requirements for the assignment, and does a good job of it. Default, 85%. The paper states a strong thesis and defends it with clear, logical, orderly argument. The direction of the paper is clear from beginning to end. Problems of form, style, syntax, or mechanics are few. The paper is most likely not a first draft. The paper may present engaging, original ideas clumsily or treat a mundane subject with stylistic finesse.
C

The paper meets the announced requirements for the assignment. Default, 75%. The paper states a thesis, advances an argument and refers to the assigned texts. It is a satisfactory paper. It may suffer from a weak thesis; the argument may be supported by insufficient citation of specific passages; the prose may exhibit frequent mechanical problems.
D The paper accomplishes something. Default, 65%. The paper may be too short and/or pad with huge block quotations; it may summarize and describe rather than argue; and it may suffer from serious mechanical problems.
F

The paper accomplishes nothing. Maximum 55%. Assigned in the following circumstances:

  1. the paper is not turned in (0 %),
  2. the paper has been plagiarized (0%),
  3. the paper contains no citations from primary (and, if assigned, secondary) sources (55%), or
  4. the paper's ideas, organization, mechanics, and style fall so far beneath acceptable college writing that it would be impossible in good conscience to assign it a higher grade (55%)
Please note: Completion of the assignment does not secure an "A." An "A" represents exceptional ability and application. This grading scheme is designed to reward intellectual engagement and risk-taking, careful proofreading, and revision. It is possible to receive a good grade in this class without ever receiving an "A" on a paper.
Please turn papers in on time. On time means that day in class. Late papers will lose one letter grade per solar day.

Participation

A Presence with pizzazz. Default 95%. You attend regularly and frequently have thoughtful things to say.
B Presence with a pulse. Default, 85%. You attend regularly and speak often (and on topic).
C Presence period . Default, 75%. You attend regularly but rarely speak.
D Dubious participation. Default, 65%. You attend sporadically and do not contribute.
F No participation. You have exceeded the maximum number of allowed absences (see relevant course syllabus). Default 55%

Please note: It is not enough simply to show up. If you are shy or apprehensive in group settings, please come see me. We'll work on developing an environment in which you feel comfortable participating.

Cheating

Cheating stinks. It wastes my time and your education. Cheating earns an automatic F (0%) for the assignment. If you are not sure what plagiarism is read the following:

If you are still uncertain, ask me.

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Citation: Language and content of these conventions developed with a colleague.

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