Attendance/Participation: 10%
Attendance in this class is mandatory. Students are expected to attend lecture, read the required texts, complete written assignments, and participate in classroom discussions. If for some reason you cannot attend class it is your responsibility to inform the instructor except in cases of emergency, illness or religious reasons. If you are ill you will need a note from the Student Health Center. Athletes will need a form from the Athletics Department prior to their absence. Only institutional excuses will be accepted. If you have more than two unexcused absences your attendance grade will be lowered by 1 point per absence thereafter.Your participation is important. I expect you to contribute to class discussions and participate actively in class discussions and activities. In terms of participation it is important that you write down your thoughts and questions to improve the quality of your contribution to discussions. I expect every student to show respect for others' opinions and perspectives and hope to engage each other in a productive dialogue, choosing to agree to disagree when necessary.
Quizzes: 10%
To ensure that you are keeping up with the readings and comprehending the materials, you will have 5 unannounced quizzes during the first 10 minutes of class. These quizzes will be 3 short answer questions related to readings, lectures, videos or films covered during class. The quizzes will be worth 10% of the total grade.
Privilege Paper: 20%
Write a 5page paper about making “privilege” visible in your own life and surroundings. Describe the "unearned privileges" and "conferred dominance" that pertain to your life. Explore the ways in which race, gender, class and sexuality interact and intersect in your own experiences. You must connect your unearned privileges to structural forms of inequality that accord some privileges to some groups over others. See the Privilege Paper Guidelines (word document)
Midterm Exam: 30%
Th midterm exam will comprise the lecture material, readings and films from Week 1 to Week 9. The format will be comprise of three parts: (1) multiple choice questions (2) Identifications with short answers (3) A longer essay question. The Midterm exam will be in class on Wednesday March 5th.
Final Exam: 30%
The final exam will cover all lectures, readings and films/videos during the entire semester. Each student must take the final exam to complete the course. There will be no substitute work or make-up exams without the documented illness or emergency notification. The format will be comprise of three parts: (1) multiple choice questions (2) Identifications with short answers (3) A longer essay question. The Final Exam Date will be on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 from 3:10-5:10pm
Extra Credit:
There will be extra credit opportunities throughout the semester. Please check the course website under Course Resources for campus speakers, films, and other events. To earn extra credit you must write a short response on the presentation or film, or event you attended. Each extra credit is worth 3 points. Extra Credit will be accepted up to the last day of class.
Grade Calculation:
Attendance/Participation.………………………………………10%
Quizzes …..……………………………………..........................10%
Privilege Paper……………………………………………………20%
Midterm Exam…………………………………………………….30%
Final Exam………………………………………........................30%
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR COURSE GRADE FORM (download)
Grading Scale:
A 96-100%
A- 90-95%
B+ 87-89%
B 83-86%
B- 80-82%
C+ 77-79%
C 73-76%
C- 70-72%
D+ 67-69%
D 63-66%
D- 60-62%
F 59-below
COURSE POLICIES:
Disability Accommodations:
· Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. Please notify the instructor during the first week of class of any accommodations needed for the course. Late notification may cause the requested accommodations to be unavailable. All accommodations must be approved through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) in Administration Annex 206 (5-1566)
Academic Honesty:
· It is dishonest to use primary, secondary, and tertiary research sources without citing or acknowledging them. This also includes copying or claiming someone's work as your own. Plagiarism is illegal in any class at WSU (See the WSU Student Handbook WAC, 504-25-015 on Academic Dishonesty). Whether intentional or not plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in failing the class. The instructor will also report any plagiarism to the Office of Student Affairs where they will impose more severe university disciplinary actions.
Classroom Behavior:
· Class will begin promptly at 10:35am. Students arriving late or leaving early will not be tolerated. If you need to leave early please inform the instructor before class starts. Side private conversation will not be tolerated during lectures, discussion, or film screenings.
· Toleration for diverse opinions is important. Name calling or verbal harassment will not be tolerated and will result in the student being escorted outside.
· Cellular phones, blackberries, and other electronic communication devices need to be turned off before coming to class. Laptop computers need to be approved by the instructor. If the laptop computer is not used for note-taking they will be asked to turn it off for the remainder of the semester.
Course Website: www.joselamillo.com
· This course will use a course website for your convenience. If you desire a paper syllabus you may download one via PDF on the course website. Make sure to check the course website for reading schedule, assignments, extra credit opportunities and updates.
· The Instructor will make changes to the syllabus when necessary.