Policies+and+Procedures

This is a seminar with juniors and seniors. I that expect you will conduct yourselves in an exemplary manner.

My big rule is respect.

The core value of our classroom is **respect**. I will show respect for each member of the class, and I expect that each of you will likewise respect each other, me, and the material. A great deal follows from respect. Respect means being on time and ready to actively engage with the material when you enter class. Respect means being honest. Respect means not interrupting other people when they are speaking.

As we develop a classroom community, I'd also like for us to be kind to one another. That means no put-downs. Our classroom should be a space where we all feel free to exchange ideas, learn, and grow. This does //not// mean that you can't disagree with one another or with me; it means you should do so in a civil and respectful way. It's possible to disagree without being disagreeable.


 * A Note about tablets in class**

As students at Cary Academy, you have access to truly remarkable resources on your tablet and online. Over the course of this school year, we will marshal these resources to learn as much as possible about the 2008 elections. As we strive to build a community, each member of our class community should make her or his best effort to learn and engage with the material at hand as thoroughly as possible.

You should bring your tablet, your stylus, and your power cord to class every day. Every time you use your tablet in class, you should be furthering the development of our learning community. You should not use your tablet for activities that do not further our study of the elections.

Readings are due on the day we will discuss them -- a big part of your grade will be class particiaption.

Class participation includes both what you say when we meet as a class and what you contribute to the class wiki (you will all join this space and get editing privileges), as well as questions you ask of our guest speakers.

Tentative grading scheme (I want your input on this -- that's why it's tentative)

explaining what you've learned over the past week or so = 25%
 * Five short (2 pages double spaced) papers you write over the course of the trimester,
 * Class discussion = 21% (evaluated three times for 7 points each)
 * Contributions to the class website = 29%
 * Final paper analyzing the elections = 25%