Most of the important things that take place in
this course
take place outside of class, when you are sitting alone with your book,
with your legal pad, or with your wordprocessor,
trying to apply the things we've talked about in class to your own
writing.
In general this course is not about information but, rather, technique;
and learning and developing technique requires a commitment to practice
that will require time outside the classroom.
We'll do quite a bit of inclass writing;
all
of the
papers that we write for a grade will be written inclass.
Remember that you're always writing for an
audience, so don't
write things that you don't want others to see.
Unless I tell you otherwise, you will do no
research for
the papers you do in my class. This means that when you write, you are
sitting alone with your legal pad or your
wordprocessor,
with no outside sources in front of you.
Attendance
is
absolutely
essential in my course, and I take attendance every time we meet.
To do well in the course you will need to be in class virtually every
time
we meet. If you do miss, be in touch, by phone or via email.
Punctuality is greatly appreciated. If you have
to
be late,
though, please come on in, but with as little disturbance as possible.
For more information on attendance and punctuality, click here.
No food or drinks in the classroom;
partly it has to do with protecting the computers, and partly with
maintaining focus on the work we're doing.
When others are talking during our class
discussions, do
listen attentively until it's your turn and then let's hear what you
have
to say. If you carry on other conversations during class, I'll
probably ask you what you think about the work at hand.
Turn off your cell phones; try to go to
the bathroom before class starts.
These are understandings that I want to make sure
we
share at the beginning of class. I'll do my best to make the semester
worth
your while. You do the same. Good luck.