Grades

Grade Scale

Attendance & Participation

You are expected to attend all classes and film screenings, to be punctual and attentive, and to be prepared to participate in class discussions of our assignments. Complete reading assignments before the class meeting for which they are assigned so that you may better engage with the weekly films and lecture material, and so that you may raise informed, interesting questions and comments.

It is in your best interest to attend every lecture and screening since this is the best way to learn about cinema. While there is no daily attendance policy for this course, it is your responsibility to initial the class roll during every lecture you attend. Absence from more than 20% of class meetings is grounds for course failure (an F) and/or administrative withdrawal. Excuses for absences are irrelevant. If you find that you must miss a class or a screening, you are still responsible for the material covered and films screened during your absence. Be advised that some of our in-class films may be difficult to obtain outside of class.

Always arrive five minutes early to screenings and to class lectures and tests, not only because we will start promptly but also because late arrivals are extremely disruptive. If you must arrive late, always use the back door to enter the room so that you interrupt the lecture/film as little as possible. Note that repeated tardiness and/or leaving class early will lower your final course grade. If you find that you must miss a class or a screening, you are still responsible for the material covered and films screened during your absence. Be advised that many of our in-class clips might be difficult to obtain outside of class.

University Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

Writing Assistance

CMS 2100 does not require essay writing, but I encourage you to visit The Writers’ Studio 224, located in the A&S building, room 224. There you can talk with trained writing tutors about your writing projects for other courses or to improve your writing in general. They are available to work with you at any stage of your paper, from generating ideas to organizing your paper to understanding how to format it correctly. The service is free; you may drop in and wait for a tutor or sign up for a regular appointment. But remember: you, not your tutor, are ultimately responsible for the quality and content of the papers you submit. http://a-s.clayton.edu/english/Writers'%20Studio/index.html

See the Assignments page for a breakdown of the remainder of your overall course grade.