Attendance & Timeliness
Attendance is critical in this class because the majority of the animations shown in class come from my personal collection. The library does not own them, so they cannot be put on reserve, and I am not putting DVDs or VHS tapes from my collection on reserve. (I have an irrational fear of a sticky popsicle stick stuck to my collector’s edition Snow White.) So, you are expected to attend class unless some dire emergency arises—something on the order of a cosmic intervention. Because the class makes relatively few reading demands, participation by virtue of attendance is very important. You cannot participate if you are not in class.
Please check your GMU mailbox periodically or arrange for your GMU mailbox material to be forwarded to your preferred email address. In addition, be sure that your mailbox has not exceeded its capacity so that your mail bounces back to me. If I send out announcements, I use the GMU mailing class mailing lists per university regulations. If you need to email me, please put HIST 389 in the subject line and sign your full name. This will help my spam detector route you to the proper folder, guarantee that I read your email, and ensure that I know who you are.
A Note on Computer Use
Computers are a great boon to the student writer. But, as with any technology, you must take steps to minimize the problems that computers inevitably cause. Do not expect to get through the semester without having at least one computer crisis. Prepare for this well in advance. Back up your work constantly and have alternative plans for obtaining computer use, if your primary options fail you. We will never accept computer problems as excuses for missed assignments. You must also keep backup copies of submitted assignments—either in electronic form or hard copy.
Similarly, computers and email permit around-the-clock communication. If you have questions or need to apprise the instructor of an emergency situation, contact me via email. Should you need to discuss an issue with the instructor, contact me via email or by phone. If you email me, please put HIST 120 is the subject line; putting something like “Hi” or “Have a question” is a common “spam” technique, and my emailer is trained to junk these messages. Do not, however, expect an immediate response. Many of your questions can be answered by consulting the web site.
The site contains a duplicate of the syllabus, including the schedule and writing assignments. Since the course makes use of the Internet, you might find it more convenient to use the Web version of the syllabus to make use of the links.
Grades
Grades, including +s and -s, will be assigned in the following manner. REMEMBER THEY REPRESENT AN EVALUATION, NOT A REWARD. To rephrase Solomon, Smith-Barney, the investment folk, we do grades the old-fashioned way—earn them. If you receive a grade or criticism that seems unfair or if you desire further explanation, please feel free to discuss the matter with me by making an appointment. My policy is not to discuss grades via email.
A—Outstanding work, complete mastery of the material presented, combined with some originality.
B—A solid command of the material with some gaps or mistakes in a basically sound essay or discussion.
C—Some knowledge of the material; mistakes and confusion are acceptable if mixed with some understanding. Not a reward for attendance or effort.
D—An incomplete and minimal knowledge of the material, major confusions and errors.
F—A failure to present the material in a reasonably accurate and comprehensible manner.
I—There are no “incompletes” given in this course except in cases of bona fide and documented instances in accordance with the regulations of the university.
P—For a “pass” a “C” average is required.