Because attendance and participation are worth 15% of your grade, I want you to know how this is going to be evaluated. Absences may be excused in cases of illness or family emergency, but please let me know that you are going to be absent before class time, unless you are too sick to make it to your email (in which case let me know as soon as you can). You will be responsible for arranging with other students in the class to fill you in on what you’ve missed. In the event of frequent or prolonged illness or personal emergency, you must contact the Dean of Students’ Office in order to work out a plan for making up missed work. The following is a guide to the calculation of the class grade:
A: Up to two unexcused absences, combined with regular, substantive participation;
B: Three unexcused absences, with less frequent participation;
C: Four unexcused absences with little or no participation;
D: Six unexcused absences;
F: More than six unexcused absences (NOTE: A grade of F constitutes a zero for the entire 20% of the class grade).
Grades of + or - reflect further variations on these criteria. Note: if you are shy speaking in front of the group, you should come and see me as soon as possible in order for us to arrive together at a way for you to participate comfortably.