1.0     This course is not self-paced.  Although as with any web course, students have the freedom to work the course when their own schedule best allows, the boundaries to this freedom are the due dates for various minor assignments, tests, and essays.

2.0      Work submitted late for any reason may be penalized five points per weekday (or in shorter terms, ten points per weekday). Any exceptions are entirely at my discretion. Normally, no extension will be granted if the request is made after the assignment deadline has already passed, but must be requested no later than the day the assignment is due.

3.0      Major work (excluding the final exam) submitted over one week past the due date will normally receive no higher than an F (or lower, if incomplete). Daily work normally earns a zero after one week past the due date. No work is taken after semester’s end. Any exceptions in any case are at my sole discretion.

4.0      All assignments must be submitted in the required file format (normally Rich Text) via Blackboard. Any exceptions are at my sole discretion.

5.0      Any student missing the final exam normally receives a zero for the final exam grade. Depending on the student’s grade average, this will often result in failure of the entire course.

1.0     Several major, multi-paragraph pieces of writing (60% of course grade; exact percentages depend on number of essays written).  Students will usually write five major essays prior to the final exam, which is an in-class essay.  All are to be written using the Three-Part Writing Format as taught in class.  Essays run in length from a minimum of 1000 words (about three pages, double-spaced) to a minimum of 1250 words, with greater development (detailed examples, etc.) resulting in higher grades, all else being equal.  Essays also focus on various different writing modes and/or writing purposes; additionally, at least one essay asks the student to learn and demonstrate basic research and documentation techniques.  Instructions for each essay are given in writing.

3.0     Various minor reading and/or writing assignments (10% of course grade when combined with item 2.0).  Typical such assignments are quizzes, partial essay drafts, peer critiques, etc.

4.0     Class participation (Discussion Boards) will count 10% of your course grade. This will be judged on several factors chosen to reflect not only quantity of participation but quality as well. Criteria may include such factors as number of days participating, number of messages sent, amount of pertinent questions asked, amount of topics or persuasive points introduced in discussion, and general imaginativeness and focus demonstrated.  Note:  this element may not apply during summer term classes.

5.0      The final exam will also be an essay similar to the previous ones, and counting 20% of your course grade.  At my discretion, I may choose to permit students to do final exam essays at home, like the other essays, or on the other hand students may be required to take an on-campus, timed final just as my traditional 1301 students do. For students living at a distance, this requirement, if necessary, can be handled by arrangement with the student's own college testing center or other similar secure testing environment.