SOAN 309: Colonialism & Development
TuTh 1:20-2:35, Alumni 207
Colgate University
 Fall 2004 Professor Thomas Hall
 Office:  408 Alumni, x7083, email:  tdhall@mail.colgate.edu
 OFFICE HOURS:  Tu 2:45-4; W 1:30-2:30 & 5:20-6, Th 12-1, & by appt
Last Updated 9-3-04
Grading & Attendance

I begin this section by describing what I see as the behaviors of A, B, & C students.  Then I discuss grading procedures, etc.

Chacteristics of Students by Grade Performance:
Or, an answer to the perennial question, "What do I need to do to get an A [or a B or a?] in this class?"

Behaviors of an A student:

• always comes to class prepared
• asks questions about topics, issues, arguments that are not clear
• is will to debate --respectfully, but vigorously--about interpretations of complex arguments, with both the prof and other students
• turns in work on time
• writes papers that are well-written, but especially that go beyond the bare minimum and connect issues and topics with others, and always writes the most on the "why" part of a question
• thinks seriously about the issues and problems raised in class

Behaviors of a B student:

• usually comes to class prepared
• occasionally asks questions about topics, issues, arguments that are not clear
• listens, but seldom argues or discusses class topics in class
• turns in most work on time
• writes papers that are well-written, and adequately addresses the question

Behaviors of a C student:

• usually comes to class
• listens, but seldom argues or discusses class topics in class
• turns in most work
• writes papers that that "sort of" address the question

Only YOU can decide what kind of grade you want, so behave accordingly!

Attendance and Participation:
I reserve the right to lower grades for poor attendance and/or late papers. Discussions are only as good as you make them.  Obviously, you can not contribute if you are not there.

There are only a few types of excused absence from class:  to attend a university sponsored event [and even there, I as instructor have the right to decide that my class, test, or whatever is more important than the event], legitimate religious obligations, and emergencies. For the first two, university sponsored events, or religious obligations, you must notify me in advance IN WRITING OR BY EMAIL.

The following are NOT legitimate reasons for missing class, nor are they emergencies:

• job interviews
• graduate school interviews
• your roommate's dog had heart attack and you had to comfort your roommate
• weddings
• travel tickets bought in advance

Real emergencies will be handled on a case-by-case basis.  I suggest in the case of a real emergency you work through your advisor.

IF YOU DO MISS CLASS:
First, do NOT call, write, or email to apologize.  You missed.  Second, DO try to get information from classmates about what happened.  YOU are responsible for any changes in schedule etc. announced in class [any such changes will be posted on the web page as soon as I can do it after class].

Frequently when an absent student asks classmates, "What happened today?" another student answers, "Not much. We just discussed X." This is not because nothing happened, but because discussions are processes, which are very difficult to summarize. Think about trying to summarize a particularly exciting football game or other sporting event to someone who did not see it. You can tell the plays, the score, etc., but it is very difficult to convey the excitement. Similarly, it is hard to convey the learning that occurs during a discussion. You must be there.

I do not accept, "I missed class" as a valid excuse for being uninformed. These are the penalties; make your choices accordingly.

Grading:
The course will consist of readings, lectures, discussions, and handouts. All are testable.  See the Syllabus for more details. The midterm will will consist of short answer questions and short answers and worth 200 points.  By the vote in class 9/2 the final will be two parts, the in-class part will be like the midterm and cover everything after the midterm and be worth 100 points.  The take-home part will consist of a few long essay questions (you will have choices) and will be due at the start of the in-class final.  The take-home will by synthetic over the entire course and will be worth 200 points. 

Your grade will be determined by a curve of 1000 points earned:
RP on Achebe                 150
RP on Norberg-Hodge    150
RP on Toer & Memmi     150
Midterm                          200
Final                                300
Partic & Atten                   50

The final curve will be NO HIGHER THAN:

• > 95% = A;
• > 85% = B;
• > 75% = C;
• > 65% = D;
• < 65% = F;

The advantage of this system is that there is no "quota" of A's etc. If everyone gets 95% or over, everyone gets an A. The disadvantage is that the "curve" changes with every test or paper. Think in terms of total points. I will give an approximate curve after each paper and the midterm.

MAKEUP TESTS will only be given when the student notifies me, IN ADVANCE AND IN WRITING, that s/he cannot take the test because of official University business. LATE PAPERS will receive discounted grades. Since questions will be given in advance, other time pressures are NOT acceptable excuses for late papers.

GRADES ON WRITTEN WORK:  Letter grades are worth the following points.  A "+" or "-" will add or subtract as much as 4 percentage points from this value:

• C (75 points): A performance that "sort of" meets the formal requirements of the assignment. Some stuff is there, other stuff wrong or missing.
• B (85 points): A performance that adequately summarizes what the readings and lectures presented. demonstrates that you have thought carefully about the material and used it in some thoughtful way.
• A (95 points): A performance that goes beyond a "B" by adding some new insight, and that clearly demonstrates that you have thought carefully and in depth about the material.

THE BAD NEWS: Under these criteria it is NOT possible to get an A by mere mechanical repetition of the material. In fact, there is no "sure fire" way to get an A. In fact, as soon as you ask, "What's the correct way to get an A?" you've already blown it! There is no one, correct way!

THE GOOD NEWS: There are hundreds of ways to get an A! Basically, I want to see evidence that the material you read spent some time in your brain before coming back out your fingers to the computer! I will talk more about this before your first written assignment.

Send comments or questions to tdhall@mail.colgate.edu
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