Student Contract

CRTW 201

Dr. Fike

Like the "Memorandum of Understanding," this document is a subset of the policies in the syllabus. It is posted here for your convenience. 

In order for this course to run smoothly, everyone must follow some key policies. This document is my attempt to make sure that you understand them clearly. You are required to submit a piece of paper acknowledging that you have read and understood the items on this contract.

1. Elements and standards: CRTW 201 is a course in the elements and standards of critical thinking. You must use them in your papers and in our daily activities.

2. Discussion: CRTW is a discussion class. You must participate actively in discussion every day. Discussion will be in small groups and as a whole class.

3. Grading:  This class has a Grade Estimation Sheet to help you keep track of your own grade. If you do not receive at least 70% for the course, you will have to repeat CRTW. The professor grades as generously as he can justify; he does not round up; therefore, 69.9% is a D+. Moreover, your final grade is based on more than your papers. Writing C-level papers (or better) does not guarantee a C- or better in the course.

4. Reading: You are required to read, annotate, and bring to class the day's assigned materials, as indicated on the course calendar. All of the books required for this course are on reserve at the Dacus Library, so there is no excuse for not having a text with you. If you cannot buy a book, you will at least make a photocopy at the library and bring it to class.

5. Preparation: If you come unprepared, you will be sent out of the room to get your materials, to read them, or both. It is not your neighbor's job to share a text with you. However, you may return to class when you have finished the reading and have your book(s) or a photocopy of the day's readings and may join the discussion in progress. Coming unprepared, however, means that you will receive an absence for the day, even if you eventually return to class.

6. Papers: All four major assignments must be submitted in hardcopy and to turnitin.com in order for you to pass the course. Skipping one of the four papers will result in an F for the course. Not submitting a paper to turnitin.com is the same as skipping the assignment. Sending a paper to turnitin.com is a required part of the submission process. If papers are not submitted in class, they can be slid through the professor's mail slot (Bancroft 258). However, you are responsible for making sure that the paper was actually received. The same is the case if you submit your work at the English department's office.

7. Punctuality: This course requires punctuality and has a policy on tardiness. In particular, you should try to be in your seat at least a few minutes early and get your materials out. If you come in late (after the door is closed), you will have already been marked absent, and that mark counts as a FULL absence unless you say the following to the professor after class: "Dr. Fike, I came in late today. Please change my absence mark to a tardy mark." However, 3 tardies equal a full absence, and arriving 10 or more minutes late or leaving 10 or more minutes early equals a full absence.

8. Attendance: This course requires regular attendance and has an absence policy. We will follow Winthrop's 25% policy: if you miss 1/4 of the class meetings (7 out of 28), you will automatically receive an F for the course. After 3 absences, each additional absence will reduce your attendance grade by 2 points. There is no such thing as an excused absence in this class (even for illness, hospitalization, deaths in the family, or military service). The professor is not required to warn you if you approach or violate the 25% policy. Dr. Fike will start taking attendance at the third class meeting. If you add the course after the first week, absences are retroactive to the third class day.

9. Official absences: If you are a Winthrop athlete (or someone who will be absent for other university-related reasons like Model UN), you do not receive extra free absences or privileges of any sort by virtue of your membership on an athletic team (or participation in any other activity). You must submit your work early if you will be absent on a due date.

10. Extensions: A written assignment can receive an extension if, and only if, you have official on-paper documentation of your absence (e.g., a doctor's note, a funeral program). Undocumented claims will not result in extensions. If you have documentation, your assignment is due not later than one week after your return to class. A paper will lose 1 point for each day that it is late. If you do not have documentation that justifies an extension, a paper not submitted one week after the due date will be considered a missed assignment, and you will receive an F for the course. If you need more than an extension but do not qualify for official accommodations, you may seek the intervention of the Dean of Students, Bethany Marlowe.

11. Exam time: The professor will not allow you to change your final exam time to accommodate your holiday or summer vacation travel.

12. Peer editing: Contributing your draft is the price of admission on peer editing days. If you do not have a paper on those days, you will not be allowed to participate, will have to leave, and will receive an absence.

13. Quizzes: There are reading quizzes in this class. They will cover the readings in Ways of Reading, The Future of Life, Learning to Think Things Through, and Writing Analytically. These quizzes will be open-book and may not be made up under any circumstances. The professor will keep your quizzes, and you may see them if you stop by his office. He will count the best 5 quizzes out of 8 in your final grade.

14. Electronic devices: No electronic devices may be used in this class unless you have official accommodations. The only exception is that students from Nantong University may use their electronic dictionaries. You will turn off and put away all of your electronic devices; this includes the hour signal on your watch. In particular, do not say, "Dr. Fike, I don't have a hardcopy, but I have it on my phone." You are required to have a hardcopy of all texts that the course calendar directs you to bring to class on a given day.

15. Extra credit: Extra credit is available if you go to the Writing Center (1 point for each visit up to 10 visits).

16. Eating and drinking: You may not eat anything in this classroom before, during, or after class. You may drink water but not anything else. Liquid that has any kind of additive--vitamins, color, tea, etc.--is not water.

17. Paper Four: Paper 4 requires attendance at a "global" cultural event. It is a good idea to attend such an event before the course's final unit. However, since not all global cultural events are appropriate for the assignment, you should ask the professor if your selected event is appropriate. See http://www2.winthrop.edu/culturalevents/calendar.htm.

18. Syllabus: You must read the syllabus and take responsibility for following its policies, even if those policies are not specifically stated in this contract.

19. Conferences with the professor: If you want your professor to read your paper, ask him to do so at your conference. Bring two word-processed copies. You need to express clearly the degree of assistance you seek. He will gladly let you know if you are on the right track. He will answer whatever questions you have. However, he is not your editor or your co-author.

19. Agreement: Do not say, "Dr. Fike, I 'just signed off on' this student contract; therefore, I am not responsible for failing to follow the policies in the syllabus." Yes, you are. Your enrollment in this course makes you accountable.