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Course Responsibilities in Detail

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Syllabus, Page 1

Course Schedule for 113:11 (T/R)

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AMERICAN MUSICAL LIFE:
FINAL THOUGHTS

FINAL THOUGHTS REGARDING RESPECT, PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR, AND AN APPROPRIATE APPROACH TO THIS COURSE

Mutual Respect
All students in a writing community exist on equal terms as human beings. All cultural backgrounds, belief systems, lifestyle choices, etc. deserve and will receive respect. Community members will address each other with appropriate decorum. Any form of discrimination and/or prejudice, verbal or otherwise, is unacceptable. Violators may be asked to leave.

Underlying Presumption (The Learner's Approach)
This should go without saying, but in taking this course you have agreed to not only to read and write about the American Dream (which you can do by yourself in your basement or attic) but to share your ideas about it with others and to be open to having those ideas challenged (which you can only in some sort of classroom environment). It is very easy to say, "well writing is subjective and can't be evualted" or "reading is subjective and therefore all responses to it are valid." At that point anything is permissible. It is much harder to take criticism and learn from it--to not only state but support and defend your ideas. I expect you to take the more treacherous and rewarding path.

A Comment About Deadlines
I'm a real stickler about deadlines. Don't be absent on presentation days. Other people are counting on you. Don't turn in your work late to the class, or to me. It's disrespectful. I will not tolerate tardiness to class or tardiness of papers. I don't accept late drafts, ALRS, or Reading Responses. I don't give extentions. And if the portfolio is not turned in on the day it is due, the result will be a 0 on the portfolio grade. If you are absent, late, or otherwise confused, you are responsible for clarifying things for yourself, and getting the work done. (When in doubt, ask me! Call me at home). I'll give you one "computer excuse," but I expect that you will give yourself enough time to print up your materials. I hate policing. But it is simply unfair to the other members of the class who work hard at getting their materials in on time if you decide to be a slacker. Look at it this way--at least you'll know that your efforts at getting things in on time are not wasted.

Academic Honesty
All of the work you do in this class, including both writing and revision of aesthetic analyses and literary papers, must be your own. If you quote facts or paraphrase ideas from another source, you must indicate in your paper which materials are from another source and where the material came from (we can show you the proper method of documentation). Cases of plagiarism will be handled in accordance with Hope policies on student conduct. If you plagiarize, and I can prove it, you will fail the course.

Helpful Hints
The workload for this course will be reasonable but steady, and if you fall behind, it might be a bit difficult to catch up. It's useful to read ahead if you can, especially if you know that major crunches are approaching in other courses or your jobs, perhaps. If you do read ahead, write your reading responses or active learning responses ahead of time as well so that you don't have to go back over the assigned reading to remember what you wanted to say. If you want to get an early start on revising your papers, that's always a good idea too. Give yourself the time to make a false start or two, before you hit on the essay you want to write; James Thurber once mentioned, "Don't get it right, get it written." The due date for the rough draft will sneak up on you more quickly than you anticipated! There's no substitute for giving yourself adequate time to write. Do try to look for a quiet place, away from MTV or CNN, loud parties, and raucous roommates. I don't expect your writing to be at the level of Andrew Delbanco or Maya Angelou. I'll consider you relatively new at this--let yourself have the freedom and the luxury to experiment a bit, to find out what you can do. If your writing is going well, you may find yourself amazed from time to time by the ideas that come out on paper, the brilliant things you have to say. The unique insights that you generate.

Keep a notebook by your bed and make a note of ideas, random thoughts, great / interesting / important quotations from the books you are reading, connections with other books you have read. Don't wait until tomorrow to write down what's on your mind. ***And keep every shred of paper you write on.**** Use a computer if you can; it's easier for revision.

If in doubt about any of the above, please see me or call me. Syllabi are often daunting and authoritative. That is not the kind of teacher I want to be. Some of the information you just read may sound a bit overwhelming; I will give you more information as time goes by. I trust that you will find this class both rewarding and fun. Most of all, relax. I expect you to work hard, but not to tear your hair out or stand suicidally on top of tall buildings holding a jug of kerosene and threatening to burn the campus down. I look forward to working with all of you on an individual basis.