These policies apply to all of my English courses.
Any policies that are different for each class will be clearly noted as such -- check your individual syllabus or class page to be sure.

General Grading Rubric for Formal Paper Assignments (1A)

This grading rubric applies for all formal papers, in-class writing, study guides or other written assignment unless a separate rubric is provided. English 1A students must complete all assignments and must take the final exam to be eligible to pass the class. However, mere completion of all assignments and the exam does not guarantee a passing grade. You must receive a 70% or better for your final grade to receive a passing grade, in all classes.

Each of the letter grades listed below have a descriptive paragraph and a percentile range attached to them. The paragraph is a general rubric, a description of the criteria that you will meet in order to earn that grade. Some assignments given in our class may have even more detailed rubrics and if so, those will be handed out for each assignment. The percentile scale matches the number grade that will accompany all of your graded assignments. The ten-point range is used to determine your final letter grade and grades on exams. You will notice though that the number grades on papers have slightly less variation. Passing grades will usually be one of three scores within a letter grade range; this allows me to give you numerical grades that indicate that you are within a certain skill level (A, B, C) as well as a "+" or "-". Remember that final grades at RCC do not have plus or minus options; I only use them to indicate to you a range of skill proficiency within a certain level. Plus grades should be understood to mean that you performed that skill level consistently throughout the assignment and are illustrating high achievement within that skill range. Minus grades should be interpreted to mean that while you are performing within that skill range for most of the assignment, you don't do so consistently and are still struggling to show a mastery of the skills within that grade range. Non-passing grades (D, F) do not receive plus or minus scoring.

A level paper(Final Grade Range: 100-90%) (Actual Paper Grades: A+ 100-98; A 95; A- 92)

This paper is outstanding; that is, it "stands out" in relation to other papers responding to the assignment. It is clear, original, and insightful and addresses the topic fully and explores the issue(s) thoughtfully. The thesis is compelling and distinctive, and the essay features clear, focused, coherent organization. The essay uses appropriate and extensive detail in a clear, interesting manner. Each part of the essay moves logically to the next part. It is nearly free from errors in mechanics, usage and sentence structure, and there is evidence of the student's intelligent and stylistic use of language. In all regards, this paper is an excellent response to the assignment and has a consistent, authoritative "voice."

B level paper (Final Grade Range: 89-80%) (Actual Paper Grades: B+ 88; B 85; B- 82)

In a (B) paper, the writer has in some way moved beyond the basics of the assignment expectations, offering some thoughtful observations and insights. The writer will demonstrate a clear understanding of their writing task and material. Although the paper may have minor weaknesses in paragraphing, it will contain evidence of the writer's ability to organize information into coherent and unified paragraphs that display specific and detailed development. This essay will be largely free from serious errors and will be generally clear and well written and will have a clear, supported thesis.

C level paper (Final Grade Range: 79-70%) (Actual Paper Grades: C+ 78; C 75; C- 72)

A paper in this category will have a discernible plan with a beginning, middle, and end and will complete at least the basic tasks of the assignment — it is competent, adequate, and satisfactory. There may be somewhat ambiguous and imperfect reasoning and ideas may be repeated rather than developed. May fail to show a strong connection between thesis statement and examples used. It may rely on unsupported generalizations or undeveloped ideas in places. But it will be organized and paragraphed well enough to allow the reader to understand the point of the discussion. It may contain errors, but not enough to continually distract the reader from the content. You must satisfactorily complete the basic requirements of the assignment to receive a C grade on your papers, and your final grade must be a 70% (no less) to receive a C in the course.

D level paper (Final Grade Range: 69-60%) (Actual Paper Grade: D 65)

A paper will fall into this category if it shows serious difficulty completing or satisfying the tasks of the assignment; if it lacks an overall plan with a beginning, middle, and end; if key ideas in paragraphs lack development or illustration; or if errors in word choice, sentence structure, and mechanics seriously interfere with readability. It may fail to clearly introduce or define its central thesis. Transitions between points are awkward or nonexistent. Paragraphs may be somewhat disorganized; though the total effect will not necessarily be chaotic. The writer's control of language may be uncertain and there may be many unsupported generalizations. The paper may contain one or more of the following defects: serious errors in reasoning; little or no development or support of ideas; few or no connections between ideas. Paper substitutes summary of reading for expository discussion.

F level paper and no credit grades (59-0%)

An F (usually 55%-50%) would be assigned to a paper if it simply does not exhibit any of the basic requirements of composition writing: it has no clear thesis; the organization is unclear or nonexistent to the point that the logic and/or argument of the paper are unknowable. Serious and frequent errors in word choice, sentence structure, or mechanics interfere with basic readability. Papers that are well-written, but of incomplete length will also receive this grade.

A O% F is given for any paper not turned in, turned in late, or if it is an unapproved essay on entirely other subject matter than what was assigned.

Paper Format Requirements:

I will not accept a paper that does not meet the following format specifications: 1) Times or Times New Roman 12 point font, 2) one inch margins all the way around, 3) MLA format for page layout and any source references, 4) all emailed assignments must be sent as a Microsoft Word e-mail attachment with a back up copy of the text of the paper cut and paste into the body of the e-mail If you are not sure about how to format any of these requirements, see me in my office before an assignment is due and I can show you or computer or Writing Center lab assistants can help you. Also, download directions on how to submit your electronic copies. If you turn in a paper that is improperly formatted, it will be handed back to you. You will lose one percentage point on your paper grade for every day (M-F) it takes you to return the paper.

Late Assignments:

All exams only be offered on the dates they are listed on the syllabus. Note these dates now; there are no make-up exams.

Absence does not relieve you of work that is due. Unexplained late papers will receive a failing grade . Tardiness will be dealt with in the same way as absences; any work missed cannot be made up and will lower your participation grade. If you are ill the day an assignment is due, you can email it by the start of class and it won't be considered late.

With 48 hours notice (so you cannot use this if you are procrastinating!) you can have a "free" 24 hour extension on all papers. The next two 24 hours will cost you 5% each, and every 24 hours after that costs you another 10% of your grade on the assignment.

Academic Honesty/Plagiarism:

Any student caught plagiarizing a paper or study guide, or cheating on the mid-term or final exam will receive a 0% F for the assignment, but in most cases, the student will earn an F for the entire course and be reported to the department chair, the dean of instruction, and for Honors students, the Honors Coordinator. A second offense in any class (tracked by the Dean of Instruction) may result in expulsion. The 1999 student handbook from one of our neighboring Southern California institutions, the University of Redlands, offers the following definitions and guidelines of plagiarism. I present them here as information to help you avoid an honest mistake. Academic dishonesty, cheating, includes any form of plagiarism in one's written work, so be more than clear about what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it in your use of source materials.
Also: You may not use any supplementary "aids" to help you with your analysis such as Cliff's Notes or Spark Notes or any other materials, print or online. Consulting such summaries of other people's ideas will be treated as academic dishonesty.

"All students are expected to acknowledge explicitly any expression or idea which is not his or her own. In submitting a report, paper or examination, the student is stating that the form and content of the paper, report or examination represents the student's own work, except where clear and specific reference is made to other sources. Even when there may be no conscious effort to deceive, failure to make appropriate acknowledgment may constitute plagiarism.

Therefore, students should comply with these requests for acknowledging sources:

Quotations: Whenever sentences or phrases are quoted, quotation marks or indentation must be used, along with the precise source.

Paraphrasing: Any material either paraphrased or summarized, no matter how loosely reworded or rearranged, must be specifically cited in the footnotes of the text.

Ideas: Any idea borrowed from another person or source must be footnoted or cited within the text. This includes any material the student might have written himself or herself for another course or exercise [or class discussion or lectures, office hour conversations, etc. All work written and ideas presented must be the student’s original work done for this class; it may not be "recycled" versions of high school or other college work. . . ].

Bibliographies: Student papers must list in a bibliography all sources consulted."

It is important that you understand this issue; see me with any questions you have and see the plagiarism document handed out at the beginning of the term for more information.

Attendance:

Attendance is mandatory. Attendance is a part of your grade, though you do not get good marks for class participation simply by showing up. There are no excused absences in this course. A student may miss three classes without penalty other than missing work done in class that day. BUT, if you miss four classes in this course, you need to see me.

Class Participation:

You and I together are responsible for the success of your learning environment. This class will engage in a lot of cooperative and collaborative learning through discussion, writing projects, presentations and other activities. The most basic principle for your success is that you need to come to every class, on time, and participate in discussion every time we meet. Think critically about the readings before you arrive — take notes in the margin of your book, ask questions of the texts and bring those questions and ideas to class for discussion. Every day that we meet, you will earn a grade for class participation. This is not a grade for attendance -- you must earn a good grade. Showing up earns you a 55% F for the day. In the Honors class, showing up with your question cards earns you a 65% D for the day. Everytime you participate thoughtfully in the class discussion you earn another letter grade for the day. When the class has seminar discussions, your comments and ideas should be directed to the class as a whole, not just to the instructor.

Classroom Environment:

Because so much of the work that you do in class this semester will be cooperative, working with your classmates in group or paired activities, or with me in whole class discussions, it is crucial that the classroom be a place of mutual respect. All students must be able to express ideas, concerns, and criticisms without fear of personal reprisal, but also must express themselves responsibly and with positive and constructive intentions for the class. Students who are unable to participate in this way will be counseled or, in severe situations, asked to drop the course.

E-mail/Web Participation:

You need to use and check your e-mail regularly for this class. In addition to my office hours I will regularly communicate with you over e-mail about your writing, reading assignments, questions, etc. Also, each class this semester has at least one assignment due over e-mail I will make announcements to the class through e-mail and/or the course website.

Miscellaneous policies:

Disabled Students Programs and Services:
If you have a documented disability requiring accommodation for this class, please see me OR contact the office of Disabled Students Programs and Services at 222-8060 on the City Campus.

Classroom use policies:

It is a campus-wide policy that no food or drink should be consumed in any of the classrooms.
Turn off or mute all cell phones and other beeping paraphernalia before entering the classroom.

Other policies:

There is NO extra credit — ever.
If a student must drop this course, it is the responsibility of the student to officially drop the class by submitting a drop card to the Admissions office.
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus providing that they are communicated to the class.
DON’T DISAPPEAR! If you have concerns about anything — your written work, class activities, absences, plagiarism, or anything else related to this class, please come to my office hours, call me, e-mail me — never assume anything until you’ve heard it for sure from me.