EXPECTATIONS and GRADING

PARTICIPATION: All class members will be expected to finish every story before class meets.  Expectations of comprehension, however, will vary by student based on his or her language ability.  Native speaking students will be expected not only to have completed the reading, but also to have browsed relevant external sources.  Non-native speaking specialists will be expected to have completed the reading with a good grasp of the complexities of the text.  Non-native speaking, non-specialist students will be expected to have completed the reading with a firm understanding of the progression of events and the primary emotional forces at work.  Since participation is a vital aspect of the class, attendance is required at all sessions.  Unexcused absences will affect one's participation grade.

RESPONSE PAPERS: In order to begin pulling thoughts together, students will be expected to prepare a one-page response paper for each work of fiction.  (The discussion leader may submit his or her overview handout and 5 points [see below] in lieu of a paper.)  These papers do not have to be polished or make a strong argument.  They should begin by summarizing the story and end with at least one question or comment for class discussion, including citations of important passages relevant to that point.  Students will submit these at the end of class meetings.  These papers will not be graded, but failure to submit them will affect one's participation grade.  Late papers may be accepted under special circumstances.

LEADING: All meetings of the seminar will have a student discussion leader; stories will be assigned at the first meeting.  Discussion leaders will begin the class with an overview of relevant information about the story and its author including, but not limited to: biographical information about the author, historical context of the work and its production, the site and nature of the story's publication.  This information should be outlined on handouts for fellow students.  Discussion leaders will also be responsible for preparing 5 questions or discussion points to present to the class in order to facilitate class discussion, though not all of these questions will necessarily be used.

PAPERS: Students will be expected to write two papers of 2000 words in length during the term.  (The second paper can be a 4000 word expansion of the first paper.) The goal is to produce papers that can be presented at academic conferences.  The first is due before class on November 2, the second during the exam period on December 15.  The papers should argue a coherent point based firmly in the text of stories read during the term, citing specific passages to support the argument.  Specialists should also display a familiarity with relevant secondary scholarship. 

GRADING: Your final grades will consider your participation (40%), your discussion leading (20%), and your papers (20% each).  Though the quality of your work is central to your grade, evaluations of that quality will take into consideration individual skills.  Effort will be rewarded.

STUDY GROUPS: I encourage students to meet outside of class to discuss the texts and problems they have encountered in reading those texts.  Please note that this does not include dividing up the reading of a story; all students will be expected to have read all of the stories, in full.

CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM: The presentation of another's words and ideas as one's own is a serious offense; violations will be dealt with according to the University codes of conduct, which stipulate sanctions up to and including expulsion.

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS: I will do everything I can to accommodate students with particular needs.  To request such an accommodation, please contact Disabled Student Services, 448 Schmitz, (206) 543-8924 (V/TTY).  If you have a letter from Disabled Student Services indicating that you require such accommodation, we can discuss ways to meet those needs.

This page was last updated on November 27, 2004