M. G. Aune
Office Hours
TTh 8.00 – 9.30, W 2.00 - 4.00 and by appointment
724.938.4341
223 Azorsky Hall
aune(at)calu.edu
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Description
In
simplest terms, Honors 250 concentrates on locating, evaluating, and
using evidence to support thesis statements.
In other words, the foci of this course are the process
(gathering and evaluating) and production (synthesis and writing) of
basic, college-level research. In
this course, we will use Shakespeare’s plays as a means of practicing
and acquiring these writing and critical thinking skills.
Reading Shakespeare has long been seen as a necessary part of a
liberal arts education. The
questions and problems that his plays and their study pose are still
relevant to our lives and provide opportunities to re-examine our
cultural values about the place of the individual in society, the role
of religion, the importance of gender, and many others.
The course will center on the reading and discussion of three
plays and a film that represent the range of Shakespeare’s output. We
will also spend time in a computer classroom practicing formal writing
skills, on-line and library research, and revision and re-writing.
Texts (available at the campus bookshop)
Grading
Scale
University Interpretation
Paper 1
100 points
100–94%
A
Superior Achievement
Paper 2
100 points
90–93%
A-
Paper 3
150 points
87–89%
B+
Editing Journal
90 points
84-86%
B
Above Average
10
Quizzes
100 points
80-83%
B-
Portfolio
50 points
77-79%
C+
Total
590 points
74-76%
C
Average
All
scores will be posted on
70-73%
C-
the
Blackboard gradebook.
60-69%
D
Below Average
Below 60
F Failure
Grade Guidelines
These descriptions apply to the final grade in the class and the score
on particular assignments.
A work is outstanding. It
goes beyond the basic requirements of the assignment and the class.
The work shows evidence of critical and original thinking.
Ideas are clearly supported and explained.
B work is more than satisfactory.
It shows understanding of the given task and an understanding of
the rules for writing as set out in the syllabus.
Thinking is clear, though not necessarily highly critical or
highly original. Ideas are
supported and explained, although not always clearly or consistently.
C work is satisfactory. It
shows familiarity with though not a complete understanding of the given
task and rules for writing as set out in the syllabus.
Thought shows inconsistent critical engagement or originality.
Ideas are too broad and not clearly supported with evidence.
Writing tends to summarize or describe rather than analyze.
D work is below average. It
shows an inconsistent understanding of the given task, text, and rules.
Thought and writing are often disorganized and do not communicate
an understanding of audience or genre.
Paper seems to be written quickly with little attention to
revision or proofreading.
F work is unsatisfactory. It
shows little if any understanding of the given task, text, or rules.
Thought and writing are disorganized and do not communicate an
understanding of audience or genre.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Requests for approval for reasonable accommodations should be
directed to OSD. Approved
accommodations will be recorded on the ODS Accommodation Approval notice
and provided to the student.
Students are expected to adhere to the ODS procedures for
self-identifying, providing documentation and requesting accommodations
in a timely manner. The OSD
is located in Azorsky 105 and the telephone number is 724.938.5781.
Academic Honesty
I
assume that all work you turn in for this course is yours, and any
material that you have acquired from an outside source is documented
properly. Failure to do so
is considered plagiarism and, per University policy, may result in
failure of the course or dismissal from the University.
Late
Papers
Attendance and Participation
Participation includes not only contributing to class discussion,
it also covers prompt attendance, listening and responding
constructively to your classmates, attending class prepared to discuss
the readings, and bringing your books and writing material to every
class meeting. If you attend
class but are unprepared to discuss the homework, or do not have your
books or writing material, you will be considered absent.
If you accumulate more than three absences, you may lose one
letter grade from your final grade.
If you miss more than four classes, you will not pass the class.
Missing a scheduled conference is equivalent to missing two class
meetings. The syllabus does
not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences.
If you are not present; you are absent.
(This also applies to those who add the class after its first
meeting.) Please do not
bring doctors’ note or other such material.
The only exception is if you must miss a class because of a
university-related activity.
In this case, your coach or supervisor must contact me in writing at
least one week before the absence.
A sign-in sheet will be distributed at the beginning, and
sometimes again at the end, of class for you to record your presence.
Absences will be recorded in the Blackboard Gradebook.
Cell
Phones
Paper
Format |
APSCUF is the
Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties. We uphold
the highest standards of teaching, scholarly inquiry, and service. We are an
organization that is committed to promoting excellence in all that we do to
ensure that our students receive the highest quality education.