Although I do not ask you to post reading responses for each class, I trust that you read the assigned texts carefully and take notes (highlights, questions, comments) so that you are prepared to discuss the material in class. Find more information on how to study efficiently here.

In-class tests

You will be asked to put books, notebooks, laptops, and phones away for in-class tests. Tests will be administered on paper and composed of short answer questions. As a reminder, “short answer” does not mean “as few words as possible” but up to three concise, complete, and well-crafted sentences.

Please be on time and bring a pen/pencil with you.

Each in-class test is worth 10% of your final grade.
You will be asked to complete three in-class tests: Monday February 24, Thursday March 27, and Thursday May 1st.

Written assignments

Each short-essay is worth 15% of your final grade.
The final essay is worth 20% of your final grade.

I will be grading your essays following this rubric:

Grading criteria	Excellent (A, A+)	Good (B, B+, A-)	Needs work (C, C+, B-)	Poor (D)
Content	Student shows their command of the subject. Independent thought. Ideas are supported by well-identified sources. Quality details and examples.	A timid capacity for independent thought. Sufficient substantiation of claim by well-identified sources but one key idea remains unsupported.	Relative absence of independent thought. Insufficient substantiation of claim. Poorly or unidentified sources.	Student shows poor command of the subject. General and/or basic thinking. Inadequate or missing supporting evidence.
Structure	Inviting introduction that states the thesis or question, and announces the structure of the paper. Clearly organized arguments. Strong conclusion.	Introduction that states the thesis or question. Detailed arguments though poorly articulated. Identifiable but somewhat empty conclusion.	Present but confusing introduction. Arguments are difficult to identify. Poor or absent conclusion.	Essay lacks a clear structure. Disregard for the progression of ideas. Abrupt of missing transitions.
Style	Varied sentence structure, powerful tone, mastering of language, fluent articulation of ideas. Quotes expertly woven into the text.	Sentence structure lacks variety and/or complexity, adequate tone, choice of words at times vague or imprecise. Quotes awkwardly inserted.	Repetitive sentence structure, somewhat vague language, problematic tone (uneven or non-academic). Few quotes and/or not employed properly.	No sentence structure, misused language, no attempt at crafting a tone. Inadequate quotes and poorly inserted into the next.
Mechanics	No errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, syntax and grammar.	Few errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, syntax and grammar, but content and arguments remain clear.	Frequent errors of spelling, punctuation, capitalization, syntax and grammar; overall lacks clarity.	Too many errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, syntax and grammar; content and arguments are obscured.

Submit your first short ESSAY by Friday, March 7 before midnight.
Submit your second short ESSAY by Friday, April 11 before midnight.
Submit your FINAL ESSAY by Friday, May 16 before midnight.