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REQUIRED BOOKS
Textbook: The American Story, 5th Edition, Vol. 1, Divine, et al - Required (5th Edition ONLY)
Supplementary
Readings: Voices of America Past & Present. Vol. 1, Boezi, ed. - Required
IMPORTANT: The above two books are required from the first day of the course.
These books are available from the UTEP Bookstore as a two-book package at considerable savings over buying them separately.
ISBN: 10-013-4493-494 or
ISBN: 978-013-44-93-497
This
Bundle is also available direct from Pearson Publishers at:
www.pearsonhighered.com
There will also be several handouts during the semester covering discussion topics and essay paper assignments.
The required books are available at the UTEP Bookstore and (maybe) off-campus bookstores. Look around for used copies and best prices if you choose not to buy the bundle. In any event ........I strongly suggest that you purchase your books as soon as possible to avoid out-of-stock situations that arise early in the semester at the UTEP bookstore. Also, you will have quiz assignments from these books in the first week of class.
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Grades
Grades are based on an aggregate point system. There are a total of 620 points available as follows:
Textbook Quizzes (14) 10 points each 140 points
* Reader Quizzes (14) 20 points each 280 points
Mid-Term Exam 100 points 100 points
Final Exam 100 points 100 points
Total = 620 points
* These are in-class quizzes from the reader, Voices of America Past and Present
Grade Computation
620 - 558 = A
557 - 495 = B
494 - 432 = C
431 - 369 = D
368 - down = F
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A make-up exam for the mid-term will be allowed only for students who were absent from the exam due to a UTEP sponsored and required trip (a department head letter authorizing such absence must be submitted to the professor) or medical emergency (documentation required). No study guides will be provided for the make-up exam (which will be different from the exam administered in class). All make-up exams must be taken no later than the second class day following the student's return to class. No make-ups will be allowed for weekly textbook quizzes or reader quizzes for any reason. Extra credit offerings are specifically made to compensate for missed quizzes.
** Please Note: The final examination is mandatory. Any student who fails to take the final exam will receive an automatic F for the course. A make-up exam for students missing the final will be available only in extreme cases and will require the approval of the professor. Students approved to take a make-up will receive a grade of I (Incomplete) for the course and must take the make-up exam during the following semester.
Learn and Earn
A significant element of my teaching philosophy is what I call, Learn and earn. It's really quite simple. In this course, you will earn your final grade by demonstrating you have learned the material presented throughout the semester. This approach takes subjectivity out of the picture. In a nutshell, it means each of you is personally responsible for your grade. It is, therefore, up to YOU to a) maintain your GPA and, b) insure continuation of financial aid/scholarships. I do not take these or other non-performance scenarios into consideration in grading because they are things over which I have no control nor responsibility.
GRADING STANDARDS APPLIED
TO THIS CLASS
A
EXCELLENT:
Student has exhibited exemplary performance in the
course. The student goes the “extra mile” in researching and prepar-
ing written assignments, participates actively in class discussions and,
through a thorough study of reading assignments and analysis of
lecture material, makes a marked attempt to excel as a scholar.
B ABOVE AVERAGE: Student has performed well in the course. Assignments
are adequately researched and generally well-prepared.
Scholarly
excellence, however, is lacking somewhat as evidence by
a
less-than-thorough approach to, and analysis of, lectures and
reading
assignments.
C AVERAGE:
Student has performed at the minimum acceptable
level
of adequacy in the course. A scholarly approach to research
and preparation
is not in evidence. Participation in class discussions
is minimal at
best. This grade is best described as MEDIOCRE.
D BELOW AVERAGE: An
unacceptable level of all-around performance (lack of performance is more
descriptive) in the course. Student meets the bare-minimum requirements to pass
the course
F FAILURE: The
only easy grade to get in this course. If you require a detailed explanation of
this grade, DROP THE COURSE NOW! You obviously do not belong in my class.
