Grading
Class participation: 50%
Written assignments: 25%
Presentation and discussion leadership: 25%
Class participation
This is a reading and discussion based course. Lively and engaged participation in discussions is expected. You must complete assigned readings before class so that you are able to contribute to conversations. Discussions should engage your full attention, and the use of electronic devices during class is prohibited. Regular attendance is essential. Class participation accounts for 50% of your grade.
You will receive a “grade” of x+ , x, x-, or 0 for each class session. The average of these will determine the bulk of your class participation grade. These map to letter grades as follows: x+ = A+, x = A, x- = C, 0 = F.
- x+: you made truly exceptional contributions to the discussion
- x: you demonstrated that you did the reading and participated meaningfully in the discussion
- x -: you attended class, but did not participate, or you did not make relevant contributions, or you were significantly tardy
- 0: you missed class
Discussion leadership
Each student will give a presentation and lead one of the in-class discussions. You will be assigned one or more partners who you will collaborate with on this assignment. If you are one of the discussion leaders for a class, your primary responsibility is to identify and examine the central point of the reading. Your discussion and presentation should be structured around an exploration of the following questions:
- What is the central point of the reading? What are the authors trying to say?
- What did you learn from this reading?
- How do the authors make their case?
- How does the reading relate to the theme of the class?
Whether or not you’re the discussion leader, think about these questions as you read and as you prepare for class. Resist the temptation to focus on whether you agree or disagree with the author. Focus instead on the ideas the author is articulating and what you can learn from them. This assignment accounts for 25% of your grade.
Written assignments
You will write several short reflections over the course of the semester, approximately one every 2 weeks. These will be in the form of blog posts for this website. More information about each assignment will be provided before it is due.
You will lose 10 points for each day an assignment is late. I will not accept late assignments after 7 days.
Absences and tardiness
If you have to miss class because of a conference, sporting event, etc., email me as far in advance as possible. If you are ill or have some other emergency that prevents you from attending class, email me within 24 hours of class to discuss whether you can be excused. This is a discussion based course and on-time attendance is essential.
To receive credit for a class you missed, you will need to write a blog post summarizing and reflecting on that week’s reading. It must be posted within two days of the class period you missed.
Academic honesty
Unless otherwise specified in an assignment, you must complete your assignments on your own. Students who cheat will be prosecuted according to UNM’s guidelines. Read about your rights and responsibilities at https://policy.unm.edu/regents-policies/section-4/4-8.html. Make sure you know what plagiarism is.
Accessibility
Please contact the Accessibility Resource Center if you expect to need academic accommodations for this class.
In accordance with University Policy 2310 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), academic accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the need for an accommodation. It is imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to the instructor’s attention, as I am not legally permitted to inquire. Students who may require assistance in emergency evacuations should contact the instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow. Contact Accessibility Resource Center at 277-3506 or arc.unm.edu for additional information.
If you need an accommodation based on how course requirements interact with the impact of a disability, you should contact me to arrange an appointment as soon as possible. At the appointment, we can discuss the course format and requirements, anticipate the need for adjustments and explore potential accommodations. I rely on the Disability Services Office for assistance in developing strategies and verifying accommodation needs. If you have not previously contacted them I encourage you to do so.
Credit Hour Statement
Federal Credit Hour Definition: A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than: (1) one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or (2) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other activities as established by an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading toward to the award of credit hours. 34CFR 600.2 (11/1/2010)
Title IX
Title IX prohibitions on sex discrimination include various forms of sexual misconduct, such as sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment, domestic and dating violence, and stalking. Current UNM policy designates instructors as required reporters, which means that if instructors are notified (outside of classroom activities) about any Title IX violations, they must report this information to the Title IX coordinator. However, the American Association of University Professors’ (AAUP) “Statement on Professional Ethics” requires that Professors protect students’ academic freedom and “respect[s] the confidential nature of the relationship between professor and student.” Therefore, as a Professor I have pledged to honor student confidentiality and will strive to respect your wishes regarding reporting. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted and would like to receive support and academic advocacy, there are numerous confidential routes available to you. For example, you can contact the Women’s Resource Center, the LGBTQ Resource Center, Student Health and Counseling (SHAC), or LoboRESPECT. LoboRESPECT can be contacted on their 24-hour crisis line, (505) 277-2911 and online at loborespect@unm.edu. You can receive non-confidential support and learn more about Title IX through the Title IX Coordinator at (505) 277-5251 and http://oeo.unm.edu/title-ix/. Reports to law enforcement can be made to UNM Police Department at (505) 277-2241.