SOC 249: Native Nations of the US,
TR 10-11:50  OL 215
Fall 2006
DePauw University
Professor Thomas Hall
 Office:  106 Asbury, x4519, email: thall@depauw.edu
 OFFICE HOURS:  TuTr 1-1:50; W 11-12; & by appt
Grading Policies
Last Updated 8-22-06

FORMAT & GRADING: 
The course will consist of readings, lectures, discussions, and handouts.Lectures are intended to clarify and emphasize the material central to the course.They sometimes include material not in the texts. Discussions are opportunities to clarify readings or lectures, and explore implications of your studies. Everything is testable.

There will be a midterm composed of objective questions and one or two essay questions. I will post sample questions at least one class before the test [Study Guide for Midterm]. The test will be worth 100 points. The final will be worth 200 points. The final is FRIDAY, December 15 at 8, 8:30 am. I do not set the time, plan to be here for the final. NO EARLY (or late) FINALS!

Everyone will write three reaction papers (1st on Erdrich, 2nd on Power, and 3rd on Alexie). See How to Write Essays for Prof. Hall for general instructions. I will post the topic and instructions on each reaction paper a week to 10 days before they are due. The due dates in the schedule are approximate.

Your grade will be determined by a curve of the points earned out of 1000 possible points:

• Quiz 100 points
• Midterm 150 points
• Final 200 points
• Reaction papers 3@100 = 300 points
• Film Review 3@75 = 225 points
• Attendance & Participation 25 points

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 University business. LATE PAPERS will receive discounted grades. Since questions are given in advance, other time pressures are NOT acceptable excuses for late papers.

GRADES ON WRITTEN WORK:  Letter grades are worth the following points. + or - will add or subtract as much as 4 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'll talk more about this before your first written assignment.

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

Send comments or questions to thall@depauw.edu
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