Extra Credit Possibilities
Here are several ways by which you may gain some extra credit in this course.
a) Once in a while, some small assignments may be given, either completed during
class or to be handed in the following class period. When these are unannounced,
and when they do bear some credit, the points are figured into the final grade
as extra or bonus points (i.e., added to your point total, NOT your final
average).
b) You have an option of viewing a classic film in the instructor's home (with movieland food, of course!) on the Sunday evening (Feb 9). If you attend, you get one point extra credit added to the course total at the end of the semester. If you complete satisfactorily a brief paper and pencil activity associated with the film, and submit it by class on Wednesday, Feb 12, you will receive 4 extra bonus points--for a total of 5 points. This activity is optional for every student. The film, which relates to the chapter we will be studying at the time, will only be shown Feb 9 from 9:00-10:30 pm in Stevensons' home. Directions to our home will be given in class.
c) You can get extra credit for attending class! We keep records of attendance every day, but six class periods will be selected randomly--three at mid-semester and three at the end. You will receive one point for each of those random days you were present, and, if you missed none of the six randomly selected days, you get a bonus of four points, for a total possible of 10 points extra credit. HOWEVER, if you miss more than four class periods for the entire semester, you forfeit all extra credit opportunities offered in this syllabus.
(NOTE: It is your responsibility to be sure you have signed the attendance sheet each day, even if you arrive late. Once we have left the classroom, the attendance is decided for the day. Thus someone may not explain to me at the next class meeting that she really was present, but forgot to sign in. And while we are speaking about attendance, please know that your integrity is on the line and that the honor code should be followed when the sheet is passed around class. You must sign your own initials only--and for that day only.)
d) Participate actively in the class' public discussion folder. It is a discussion folder that has been added to your e-mail account. Once we are all in the folder, I will initiate some questions or perhaps post a brief article for you to read and give a response. Since each student may (not required) subscribe to a weekly mental health newsletter, you may read an interesting article and give a 75-100 word summary of it. At times I may give a new web site and ask you to visit and give a brief comment on it, such as how the information found there could benefit you. At the end of the semester, you may receive one point for each substantive entry, up to 5 extra credit points. However, not more than one entry per day is allowed. Admittedly, these points will be somewhat subjectively assigned and they will be my judgment call. I will not just count up the number of times a student logs on and says anything. The contribution must be intelligible, basically error free, and thoughtful. For example, the following types of entries lead to zero points: "Yo, dudes, how y'all duen?" Be sure to check our email class folder daily.