- Course Requirements -

 

• Homework assignments, collectively worth 20% of your final course grade
• Two take-home exams: each worth 25% of your final course grade
• A class presentation, worth 15% of your final course grade
• Class participation, worth 15% of your final course grade

*Note: ALL course requirements must be completed in order to receive a passing grade in this class.  This means that you must submit at least one homework assignment, take both exams, do your classroom presentation and attend at least one class. 

 

Homework assignments:
Short homework assignments will occasionally be given out at the end of class.  They will be due at the beginning (i.e., within the first 10 minutes) of the next class.  Late homework assignments will not be accepted under any circumstances.  There will be 12 homework assignments given out over the course of the term, but only 9 will be counted toward your final grade.  That means you can skip 3 of them without any penalty or excuse.  If you turn in more than 9, I will count the 9 with the highest grades toward this portion of your final grade.  Homework assignments will be graded on the following scale:
check                      (good)
check minus            (poor)
no credit          (very bad)
If you turn in all 9 assignments and get an average grade of ü, you will get an "A" for this portion of the course.  If you do not turn in all 9 assignments and/or do not get an average grade of ü, your grade will be set by a curve (to be determined by the performance of the class as a whole).

 

Take-Home Exams:
The exams will consist of essay questions.  Exams will not be cumulative.  They will be distributed and due according to the following schedule.
Wednesday, Februrary 24: 1st exam distributed at the end of class
Wednesday, March 3: 1st exam due at the beginning of class
Wednesday, March 24: 2nd exam distributed at the end of class
Wednesday, March 31: 2nd exam due at the beginning of class

 

Class presentation:
With any subject, it is good to be able to apply the material to every day experiences. For this assignment, you will be split into small groups to examine one media text (film, book, television episode, etc.) through the lens of one of the feminist perspectives from the course. Each group will be responsible for a 10-minute presentation with a question and answer session to follow. The perspective should be explained and the focus should be the application of the perspective to the media text.  The group should be prepared for questions from the audience, as well as prepared to lead a brief discussion stemming from the presentation. Each individual will be required to turn in a group feedback sheet. More detailed information will be provided at a later date.  Note: attendance and participation during the last two weeks of class (i.e., during the group presentations) will count double.

 

Class participation:
Half of this portion of your grade will be based on class attendance; the other half will be based on participation in class discussions.  Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class.  Students who attend the entirety of every class will get an "A" for the attendance half of this grade.  Grades for less-than-perfect attendance will be assessed on a curve.  Participation will be assessed in terms of both quality and quantity; all participation grades will be assessed on a curve.  In general, you will be expected to come to class prepared and contribute respectfully and constructively to class discussions.  Note: attendance and participation during the last two weeks of class (i.e., during the group presentations) will count double.