Readings:

Students are expected to have done an initial reading of the assigned texts by the date of the lectures covering the reading.  All readings are available on-line; students may procure their own editions of specific texts if desired. This course stresses the consideration of an entire text.

  Attendance: 

Students are expected to attend all class sessions. An excused absence may be granted at the instructor’s discretion if the student presents, in a timely fashion, a cogent case for such an excused absence. Given, however, that this seminar has only 15 sessions, students who miss three or more sessions—for any reason—will receive a grade of no higher than B.

  Withdrawals:

Students are expected to execute their own withdrawal from the course. Students who fail to continue attending the course will be given an F at the end of the course.

  Blackboard discussion participation: 

Each student is expected to sign onto the conferences at least five times a week and to make at least four substantive contributions to the computer-based discussions supporting this course each week. Student participation will be measured weekly from data collected after 11 p.m. on Sunday. Students who fail to meet this weekly requirement more than four times during the semester will receive a final grade of no higher than B; more egregious failures to meet this requirement may result in an even lower final grade.

  Submitting essays:

Required essays will be submitted for evaluation in two forms:

1. A typed, doubled-spaced copy will be presented at the start of class on the due date.

2. Prior to the start of the class on the date the paper is due, an electronic copy of the essay will be submitted electronically to ljohnson@utep.edu in Microsoft Word format (.docx or .doc).

  Academic honesty:

University standards for academy honesty will be strictly enforced according to University policies.