ENGLISH 2220 FAQ SHEET
TEXTS
Q: Do I have to lug this 10-pound literature book every day to class?
A: Sorry, but yes, you will.
Q: Can I use Cliffs Notes?
A: Absolutely – as supplements to the assigned reading, these summaries and commentaries can be very helpful. Actually, I suggest using some of the Internet summaries and helps – they’re free. You may not, however, refer to these during quizzes or tests. Beware of using them as substitutes for reading the literature – I write all my tests with these supplements in mind.
COURSEWORK
Q: When do I have to have my reading done?
A: On the day it is listed on your calendar. That's the day you will be quizzed.
Q: What else besides reading am I responsible for on exams?
A: All lecture material -- background history, philosophy, science that I have presented in lectures during the past segment.
TESTING
Q: What type of stuff do you quiz on?
A: Know the name of the work; the author; facts about the characters--names, ages, marital status, number of kids; facts about the setting--season of the year, approximate time period, length of time the story covers (a day, years?); significant symbols--a quilt, a cage, the moon--that appear repeatedly or that the author makes a big deal about; plot--basic events that happen in the story/poem. For most works, you will not be asked to interpret--only to prove that you read carefully and paid attention to the details of the work. You'll probably have to read a work twice (short) or scan it again carefully after one slow reading to get good grades on the quizzes. A few quizzes will cover the introductions to pieces (poetry, especially). In those cases, know the main facts of the poet’s life and work; know his birth/death dates; pay attention to titles, proper names, etc.
Q: When do you give the quizzes?
A: On the day the reading is due, immediately after a brief Q&A session, usually at the start of class.
Q: What if there are two or three works due? How do I know what the quiz will cover?
A: Prepare for a quiz on all the works. You might get a quiz on just one, or a "composite" quiz that covers more than one assigned reading.
Q: What will be on the objective sections of the midterm and final?
A: Lecture notes, mostly. Dates, historical background, names of works and authors, names of philosophers and their works, nationalities, etc. Vocabulary terms that we discuss and the names of authors/works from the reading list. Anything I write on the board is fair game. Anything I call to your attention as fodder for exams, whether I write it down or not, is also potential test material.
Q: What kind of questions do you use?
A: You have to be able to fill in the blank (no word bank) when I give you a definition--you name the term, give the date, name, work that fits that definition or description. I also use line identification (you tell where a line comes from) and paraphrasing (you put an author’s words into modern words). It all depends on the individual work and on the skills I’m teaching at the time.
Q: What will the written components of the tests be like?
A: We will discuss specific essay questions and/or definitions in advance so that you can prepare your answer in your head. You must show a thorough knowledge of the work by using examples to back up your points. A sample essay question is: Read this section of Cleanth's speech from Tartuffe. Write an essay in which you show how this speech reflects Aristotle's philosophy.
Q: How do I get a good grade on a question like that?
A: Study the passage ahead of time. Review Aristotle's major points from lecture notes. Open the essay with a brief explanation of Aristotle's ideas. Then show how statements in the passage echo Aristotle. Wind it up with a couple of lines explaining why Moliere put Aristotle's words in this character's mouth--and voila ! As long as you have been organized in your presentation and referred appropriately to the passage, used full sentences, and avoided plagiarism & cheating, you get you’re A. Lesser grades show some deficit in one or more of these criteria. Cheating or plagiarism will be an irremovable “0” or possible “F” for the course– no exceptions, second chances, and make-ups.
GRADING
Q: I don't get the grading system.
A: There are two categories of grades--quizzes and exams. No matter how many questions or possible points there are for a quiz or test, your score will be converted to a decimal value and recorded as such (so, if you get 5 out of 7 questions correct on a short quiz, your grade will be 71.4). Each category is "weighted" according to the scale on the syllabus. Do pay attention to the weights--quizzes are very important.
Q: Do I have to take the final if I'm making an "A" at the end of the semester?
A: Yes. It is mandatory to pass the class.
Q: What if I miss the final?
A: If you call before I turn in the grades, you can take an "Incomplete"; however, if you are just a no-show, you will receive an F for the course, no matter what your GPA is. The final is mandatory.
Q: When you compute final grades, do you round up the average?
A: No. You must get 90 to get an A; 80 to get a B; 70 to get a C; 65 to get a D. A 64.9999999999 is still an F, just like an 89.9999999 is still a B. Individual quiz/exam scores include one decimal place (69.2; 84.7; 71.5) and will not be rounded up.
Q: What if I have a problem with my grade?
A: Regular Class – see me. For large classes, take the paper in question to the Academic Assistant and ask her/him to review it for grading accuracy. If it is an essay, before you see your AA, review your answer and the pre-test instructions and grading guidelines. If you are then convinced that you followed the posted instructions and met the posted grading criteria, request an appointment and discuss the paper with your AA. In the event you cannot come to a mutually satisfactory agreement, I will grade the paper.
Q: What if I lose a returned paper?
A: It is your responsibility to hang onto these items. Graders must have the paper in order to review and correct any grading errors. Requests for grade amendments without the document in question cannot be honored.
Q: What if you or my AA loses my paper?
A: In large classes, papers are “logged in” on the seating chart as soon as they are turned in, so this is very, very rare. If it should happen, however, let your AA know immediately that your paper has not been returned. The log will show that you were indeed in class and present for the quiz, and an accommodation will be made. Note: I keep all unreturned papers in file folders in my office. If you are absent on the day a paper is returned, you must come to my office to retrieve it.
ATTENDANCE
Q: How do you keep track of absences?
A: Usually a sign-in sheet (regular classes) or seating chart (large class). Absences do not countagainst you, and I will not drop you for absences. However, tardies and early exits carry a grade penalty, and the roll will be used for that purpose. The athletic department, financial aid, and other administrative entities also occasionally require these records. Note: It is your responsibility to fill out all drop/withdraw paperwork if you drop the class. You must physically hand the paperwork to me if my signature is required – do not leave it in my box or under my door.
Q: What type of absences do you excuse (give a make-up quiz for)?
A: None except UNT mandated activities and school cancellations due to inclement weather; military exercises for which you provide documentation or religious holidays for which you provide advance notice. All other absences are alike. There is no need to bring me obituaries for your family members, notes from your doctor (unless you are filing for an incomplete), or receipts for your auto repair. Here's the deal--an attendance policy must be fair--it must apply to all students. No exceptions.
Q: But . . . my babysitter didn't show up, my car broke down, I couldn’t find a parking place, I got caught in traffic on I-35, my alarm didn't go off, I had the flu, my parents made me go to my uncle's wedding (my grandmother's funeral, my cousin's confirmation, my sister's bar-mitzvah), my boss made me work late.
A: You have my sympathy, condolence, congratulations . . . but you don't have an excused absence. Everybody gets to drop 25% of the quiz scores to compensate for these emergencies.
Q: When I'm absent, how do I know what I missed?
A: This is your responsibility. Get the phone numbers of at least two classmates so you can call and find out. You are responsible for knowing what's due and what's been done as well as for all class notes. I will post all handouts in the online briefcase ( ; however, last minute changes in the reading schedule, or an impromptu homework assignment may not be posted in time to be helpful to you – you must check with someone. Look for announcements in the online “briefcase.”
Q: What if YOU are absent?
A: Be prepared for the work that was due on the day of my absence as well as the work that is due on the day of my return. In other words, don't immobilize--keep up. If I'm absent on the day of an exam, the exam will be given on the day I return . . . same for a quiz, etc.
MAKE-UPS
Q: How many quizzes can I make up?
A: None.
Q: What if I miss a test (other than the final)?
A: We will schedule a time for you to write an in-class essay over the material. I will provide a question for you to prepare; you must write the exam in class. I don’t give the same exam the rest of the class took . . .
Q: What's a conference day?
A: That's a day that I schedule for students to "drop in" for individual help during our regular class hour and/or to make up a missed exam. Conference days are optional--you don't have to come to class.
PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING
Q: What is cheating?
A: Copying another student's answers during tests, quizzes. Also, browsing through the introductions to texts on an open-book exam. Also, changing your own or another student's quiz answers when we grade quizzes in class. Also, bringing notes or pre-written material into an in-class testing situation. (See University definitions posted at web site).
Q: What are the consequences for cheating?
A: At least a “0” for the assignment (and it can’t be dropped at the end of the semester). However, if the situation warrants, the University policy allows an “F” for the course and written notice filed with the Dean of Students. I have a “0 tolerance” policy for theses infractions.
MISCELLANEOUS
Q: How will we know if you are absent or just late? How long do we have to wait for you if you are late?
A: Please wait 15 minutes (despite the folklore that matches minutes to rank). If I’m still a no-show, you have some free time to study, read extra literature, practice some grammar for fun. Be prepared for the next class as detailed above.
Q: Can we bring food and drinks to class?
A: Yes--with two conditions. You can't make noise with the food or the wrappers, and if you make a mess, you have to clean it up. NOTE: Some buildings on campus have a policy that bans all food and beverages; in that case, we all go hungry and thirsty.
Q: Can we call you at home?
A: No; however, I check my e-mail at least twice each day, and I welcome your questions. I’ll answer anything pertaining to the course except “what did we do yesterday – I couldn’t make it to class” or “are we doing anything important tomorrow?”
Q: What if I'm late to class?
A: Occasionally--no biggie. Slip in quietly. If we are mid-quiz, you can grab a quiz and do as much as you can or take a 0 – your choice. We won’t take up class time repeating the whole quiz, though, and you can’t take it afterwe have discussed the reading. If I am lecturing when you arrive, please – do not walk across the class in front of me to get to your favorite seat. It breaks my concentration and is rude to your classmates. Similarly, don’t try to get your neighbor to fill you in on everything I’ve said since you’ve been gone. Wait until after class. If you are late frequently (more than 3 times) a grade penalty will be assessed.
Q: What if I have to leave early, right after the quiz?
A: Advise me (regular classes) or your AA (large classes) ahead of time. If it happens often (more than 2 times), it will be considered an absence, and the quiz you turned in before you left will not be counted.
Q: What can I do for extra credit?
A: Nothing.
Q: When's our final?
A: UNT posts a schedule in the Schedule of Classes. I have posted the dates that pertain to your class at Please check it. We are required to give finals only at the designated times.
Q: What's your policy on class behavior and disciplinary matters?
A: My primary concern in all disciplinary matters is to insure that all students have the same opportunity to get a good grade; my secondary concern is to insure that I have an opportunity to do my job well. Any behavior that interferes with these is subject to disciplinary action.
In a sophomore class, this is usually not an issue; however, just so you know.
- I follow the outlines in the Student Handbook regarding severe infractions--drugs, weapons, violence, sexual harassment, etc. These occurrences are extreme and rare.
- More common problems include
- disruptive chatting, noisy entrances/exits
- rudeness (swearing, name-calling, baiting) to me or to a classmate
- sleeping, eating in a distracting way
- leaving class for an impromptu soda or cigarette break or bathroom trip and then wandering back in at your leisure . Take care of all your personal needs before class. (Of course, if an emergency arises, we’ll all understand if you leave class.)
- uncivil discourse-- Any communication, either written or oral, that is offensive or inflammatory will not be tolerated--that includes slurs at race, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, whether directed to an individual or written in an essay. Sexual vulgarity is similarly off limits. Choose all your words carefully--in writing and out loud.
For any of these you may be asked to leave class for the day, and any work you've turned inwill not be counted. Keep your beepers and cell phones on vibrate or out of the classroom.
Q: How do I fail this class?
A: Plagiarize deliberately
Cheat
Break any of the disciplinary codes outlined in the Student Handbook
Fail to achieve a GPA of 65 by the end of the semester
Don't take the final
Personal Grade Sheet
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