2009 Pop Culture Grading Policies

Grade Scale: A = 92%   B = 83% - 91%   C = 74% - 82%

The major elements of the grade for this class come from the Semester Exam Questions and the Student Writing Portfolio. Homework, Projects and Class Participation are also included in the final grade calculation.
The Grades are weighted as follows:

Class Participation = 1
Homework = 1
Projects = 2
Semester Exam = 2
Writing Portfolio = 3

SEMESTER EXAM: See: http://coachburke.homestead.com/POPCULTURE2.html  for the actual Exam questions. Students may answer the essay questions at ANY TIME DURING THE SEMESTER. They should not wait until the official Exam day. 
They should answer the questions as soon as they feel they have learned enough in the class to answer the questions properly. Some questions will require them to analyze one of the films shown in class.

WRITING PORTFOLIO: Each student will be required to keep a Writing Portfolio. This should be a 3-ring paper folder with loose-leaf paper (or computer paper with 3 holes punched). 
Opinion & analysis papers will be assigned based on the particular theme the class is studying.
A grade will be assigned based upon the quality of writing & the depth of thought evident in the writing piece.

CLASS PARTICIPATION: Each student will start the semester with a Participation grade of 100%.  If a student misbehaves in class (see “Strategies for Success” on the Syllabus) 5 or 10 points may be deducted from the class participation grade.
Inattentiveness (sleepiness or laying the head down) disruptions of class (e.g. excessive joking and/or talking during a film), and Inappropriate use of the Laptop Computers (visiting web sites without proper permission from the teacher), are the most likely reasons for deduction of participation points.