I expect  you to attend class and make it to class on time.  Attendance is mandatory, both in terms of receiving the practical experience needed in order to pass the course and in terms of being eligible to receive a grade (I cannot give you a passing grade if you do not show up).  This class is an interactive seminar on reading and writing about literature—it loses its interactive quality if you are not here to participate.  You are allowed two absences gratis, but after two absences I begin deducting 20 points from your participation grade for each absence or tardy entrance (Confidentially speaking, I usually do not have to deduct these points because students who miss more than two classes end up failing themselves without my help).  If you do miss a class period, do not ask me what you missed or if it was something important; any absence will deprive you of a significant segment of this course.  If a serious illness, a family emergency, or some other crisis occurs during the term, you must contact the Dean of Students Office (831-8939) as soon as possible.  This office will assist you in notifying your instructors as to the need for an extended absence.  A tendency for excessive tardiness may also have a detrimental effect on your final grade.
 

I expect  you to come to class prepared, which includes reading all the assignments, completing your assigned writing tasks, and being ready to discuss both (I won’t bother to remind you to remember your textbook).  Come to class with questions, concerns, opinions and (constructive) rants, so that you may contribute to the discussion.  This class is discussion oriented—so I will expect active participation from every member.  If you have difficulties participating in class discussions, please talk to me about it as soon as possible.

Preparation also implies your careful attention to your University of Delaware E-mail account.  In this section, you are expected to have an activated University of Delaware account by the second week of classes and to check your mail regularly regarding course activities and assignments.
 

I expect  that you will turn in all assignments on time.  No late secondary assignments (anything handed in after class, discovered in my mailbox later in the day, or e-mailed to me that afternoon) will be accepted—no assignments will be accepted without your physical presence in the classroom.  Missed secondary assignments cannot be made up and will receive a 0.  Late primary assignments are accepted with a 25 point deduction for each calendar day.  Essays are to be word-processed in double-spaced, 12 point “Times New Roman” font and use the MLA format for name placement, page numbering, and the like—this can be found in the Bedford Handbook.  Should anything horrific, debilitating, or emotionally scarring arise that would prevent you from turning in a paper on time, you must plead your case before the due date, because I do not give extensions.
 

I expect  that you will make yourself familiar with my grading standards for writing (which I will provide you before the first Essay).  I also expect that everything you hand in will be your own work.  All work submitted (regardless of its draft or final copy status) must be conceived and actualized by you (none of this “my friend typed it for me” stuff).  Any words, ideas, or data (including statistics, graphs, and visual aids) must be properly documented.  Lack of documentation is considered plagiarism and is dealt with most severely by the University of Delaware.  A good place to learn the University of Delaware’s policies towards academic integrity (under the heading of “Academic Honesty”) is the on-line Student Handbook.  Plagiarism is a serious academic infraction and I will zealously prosecute any offenders.