Failure to submit a first draft of each essay will result in a .5 deduction in the final grade for the essay.  Late final drafts will receive a .3 grade deduction per day late, including weekends and holidays.

Electronic Discussion
In addition to formal written assignments, you will use the class discussion board to post two responses to each film or reading.  To facilitate discussion, I will post questions to which I want you to respond.  Your first posting on a particular film should address one of my questions; the second should respond to classmates’ postings.  Postings should be two paragraphs to one page in length.  The electronic discussion site allows us to extend class discussion and to raise issues for in-class discussions.  Your postings will be graded on a credit/no credit basis.

To keep the discussion board manageable, I have divided the class into four groups as follows:

• Group One:  Students with last names A through C
• Group Two:  Students with last names D-J
• Group Three:  Students with last names K-R
• Group Four:  Students with last names S-Z

Participation and Attendance
Students should come prepared for each class session, with assigned reading completed.  I expect prompt, regular attendance and active participation in discussions of readings and films.  To encourage participation, I will call on students and lead the class in frequent small-group discussion activities.

Plagiarism Policy
In your electronic postings and essays, you may draw upon the ideas and words of other writers.  However, you must make clear to your audience that you are incorporating another’s work by placing quotation marks around exact words and citing the author’s name whenever you quote, summarize or paraphrase.  Failure to credit sources may result in a failing grade for the assignment, a failing grade for the course, or expulsion from the university.