Include a short description of the course.

Attendance.

Grading.

Preparation questions/pop quizzes.

Before each class lecture I will post a list of preparation questions. These questions are designed to prepare you for each new topic. If we have a pop quiz on the listed day, it will include these questions AND one surprise question from previous lectures to encourage review. I recommend you thus have answers for them — at least in your head! — before each class meeting. You will have twelve pop quizzes by the end of the course, with the lowest two grades dropped. They count for a total of 25% of your final grade. If you are absent for any reason when a quiz is given (other than a scheduled college event you told me about in advance), your grade will be recorded as a zero. You may use any source to answer these questions before class. For a quiz, of course, you’re on your own.

Academic integrity.

This course is administered under the Code of Academic Integrity, which you should review in your copy of The Scot’s Key. Violations of the Code in this course include consulting notes, other student papers, or electronic devices during tests and quizzes. My penalties for cheating start with an F in the course and then get worse.

Schedule conflicts.

The faculty of the College has approved a policy regarding conflicts between extracurricular and academic events. I agree with it and will simply provide the suggested syllabus statement from the discussion:

“The College of Wooster is an academic institution and its fundamental purpose is to stimulate its students to reach the highest standard of intellectual achievement. As an academic institution with this purpose, the College expects students to give the highest priority to their academic responsibilities. When conflicts arise between academic commitments and complementary programs (including athletic, cultural, educational, and volunteer activities), students, faculty, staff, and administrators all share the responsibility of minimizing and resolving them. As a student you have the responsibility to inform the faculty member of potential conflicts as soon as you are aware of them, and to discuss and work with the faculty member to identify alternative ways to fulfill your academic commitments without sacrificing the academic integrity and rigor of the course.”

Textbooks.

Course instructor.