Graded Assignments

Grades will be based on the following assignments:

1. Essays. There are three essay assignments in this class, which are explained in greater detail on separate handouts. They revolve around the keywords for the term. Colllectively, these are worth forty (50) points towards your grade.

2. Blogging. I have established a weblog for the class called "PlaceLandscapeMobility". Each week you will participate in discussions about class discussions and readings. Details are provided on this page. This assignment is worth fifteen (15) points toward your grade.
3. Favorite passage of the week. Each week on the blog I will start a thread where everyone will:
   • Post their favorite passage from the week's reading.
   • And an explanation of why the passage is their favorite.

   If someone chooses your passage first, you may still use that passage by explaning why it is your favorite and focusing on the part of the passage of most significance to you. However, this should not become a habit.

   Your reasons for selecting a passage can be your own, and do not need to directly relate to your thinking and learning about the class themes. Your explanations should be clear, and should demonstrate an understanding of the passage within the context of the larger reading.

   Passages should be posted to the blog by 11:59 pm on Fridays. If you cannot make that dealine, contact me about an extension. No extensions for full credit will be granted after 5:00 pm on Sundays. That is also the deadline for contacting me about an extension for the week just past. This assignment is worth ten (10) points toward your grade, one (1) point per week.

4. Text keywords. At the end of each text, you will generate a list of three to five keywords. There will be a small group discussion to come up with five to seven consensus terms for the text. This assignment is explained in further detail here. This assignment is worth twenty (20) points towards your grade.
5. Learning assessments. These are short tasks or questions that I will generally present at the end of each week. Their purpose is to help me gauge what you're learning. This assignment is worth five (5) points, one half (0.5) point per assessment. In a week when there is no assessment, I will "comp" everyone the point. Generally, learning assessments cannot be made up. However, if circumstances require you to miss more than two (2) in a row, I recommend that you come to talk to me about the impact that missing these assignments will have on your grade for the term.

Final grades will be assessed on a standard 100 point scale (93+ is an A; 90-92 is an A-; 87-89 is a B+; 83-86 is a B; 80-82 is a B-; 77-79 is a C+; 73-76 is a C; 70-72 is a C-; 67-69 is a D+; 63-66 is a D; 60-62 is a D-. Lower than 60 is an F).