Below, you will be asked to sign the Grading Contract for this course. A detailed explanation of the contract, its requirements, and expectations, can be found
here. I will reproduce a summary of the expectations, directly below this message.
This Contract has 3 tiers - “A” “A-” and “Credit/B+.” We will walk through them in order of increasing responsibilities, and you will then be given the chance to select your chosen tier. Failure to meet your goals will lead to a realignment to the appropriate tier, or failure from this course.
Credit/B+ Tier- 3 or less absences, 6 or less lates (cumulatively); You attend class regularly, are personable and polite when there, and respectful of your classmate's time. You are willing to share your work in a limited fashion, and work with other students to revise and build better projects and assignments over the course of the semester. You will complete a final project, and will do your best at two presentations
A- Tier - 2 or less absences, 4 or less lates (cumulatively); In addition to all the requirements of the C tier, listed above, you will also come to class well read, with thoughts and opinions on specific moments or passages in the text. You will make sure all work you present is well-research and well-presented, following clear citational style guidelines and using some sort of engaging presentational accoutrements (e.g. a Powerpoint, a tri-fold presentation board, an artwork or demonstration, etc.). You will write a 15 to 20 page scholarly paper, using proper citations and extensive quotations from the scholarship and Chaucer, that corresponds in some way with the theme of our course: Love, Sex, and Gender.
A Tier - 1 or less absences, 2 or less lates (cumulatively);
In addition to all the requirements of the C and B tiers, listed above, You will have interesting and thoughtful comments on the readings, and strive to provide new and engaging insight into each tale we read. You will be mindful of your space and presence in the classroom, being mindful of how much you are speaking or how little you are contributing, and adjusting as asked. You will deeply investigate the digital resources available to you, choosing to present on those that most interest and educate you, and strive to identify gaps in scholarship or focuses that are under appreciated within your presentations and projects. In conversation with me, and your fellow classmates, you will self-design a feasible final project that can be accomplished in the semester, and that is genuinely beneficial to your life goals or aspirations. This project will meaningfully engage with and complement the course’s aims and themes, and you will be willing to present your findings or work at the end of the semester. Failure to sign the Contract, but Continuation in this Course past the end of the Contract Period (Class 2 - Februrary 1st, 2023) will be taken to mean assent to the “C Tier” expectations.
On the final Class Meeting (May 10th, 2023) we will spend time democratically adjusting and ratifying the Course’s Contract, as needed.
This Form is Confidential, and will not be shared with anyone besides myself. You will not be asked to submit any personal identification material here, beyond your EMPL ID and Brooklyn College email.
