Contract for Philosophy 12A
This contract is fashioned after a contract
used by Prof. Richard Paul, Director of the Center for Critical Thinking at
In contrast to Prof. Paul's, you will
not be required to sign and submit this contract. Rather, continuing to attend classes after
the first class meeting you attend constitutes your acknowledgement that,
without exception, you understand, agree to, and will work in a manner
consistent with the provisions of this contract, as well as with the course
requirements [which you should now have; available upon request], and other
course criteria and procedures as they are presented.
1. I accept sole responsibility for my own success or failure,
and for monitoring my own learning and performance.
2. I understand that the textbook and course reader are
required, and must be obtained within the first week of class.
3. I understand that this is a four-unit, five class-hour
course, demanding almost twice the work of the normal three-unit college course,
that this is a university-credit class, and that the course will be
correspondingly more difficult than a normal course in terms of, for example,
the amount of material covered, the number of hours of study required, the
number of tests and homework assignments, etc.
As one example...
4. I understand that in a five class-hour course, ten hours of
homework constitutes the appropriate and expected commitment to weekly
out-of-class work, and, further, that if I have particular difficulties with
any materials covered, I may need to make a larger time commitment; I will make
the necessary time arrangements in advance.
5. I understand that for every class week I will have a
written homework assignment due. It will
be graded on a full-credit basis only if it is turned in by the due date. If it is turned in by the next class meeting,
it will be graded on a half-credit basis.
No homework submitted after that time will receive any points, though it
will be read and commented upon.
6. I understand that
any work whatever which is submitted for credit – including tests, homework, and any other work submitted
for a grade – is to be exclusively and without exception or qualification solely my own work; no sharing, no copying,
no plagiarism – no exceptions.
7. I understand that
any form or degree whatever of cheating or plagiarism will be regarded as an
attempt to steal from the class community as a whole and as a fundamental
violation of the course contract and requirements as a whole, and will begin a process
designed to end in my documented removal from the class.
8. I understand that the class will focus on practice, not on
lecture, and that I will be called upon – as well as expected to volunteer -- to
demonstrate my work in class, and to participate in other ways.
9. I understand that I am responsible for taking an active
part in advancing the success of the class community as a whole, and of any
groups to which I am assigned. If for
any reason listed in this contract or any other reason, I am unable to do so, I
may be asked to leave that class meeting. If for any reason I constitute a distraction
from the advancement of the class – for example, with excessive conversation
with neighbors during the presentation or discussing of course material – I should
expect to be asked to leave that class meeting.
10. I understand that the work
of the course requires consistent classroom attendance and active, skilled
participation based upon appropriate preparation for the currently assigned
material.
11. I understand that if I have
questions or problems, which may delay the class, I will be expected to address
those questions, problems, etc., at office hours and other appropriate times.
12. I understand that if the
assignment for the day is not completed, then I am not prepared to do the
in-class work of the day, and will slow the class unjustifiably.
13. I understand that tardiness and/or
leaving a class meeting before its completion constitutes attendance problems,
which will effect my performance, and so, the quality
of my participation.
14. I understand that if I
miss a test or quiz, the test or quiz must be made up within one week at a time
convenient for the instructor, that I must take the responsibility for making
such arrangements, and that I will receive a different [and possibly more
difficult] test than the original.
15. I understand that the
class will not be graded on a curve. I understand that it is theoretically
possible for the whole class to get A’s or F’s.
16. I understand
the basis of the final grade as follows:
• Quizzes and Tests: 65% of final
grade; Tests = 50 points each, Quizzes = 25 points each
• Homework: 25% of final grade
• Active,
Skilled Participation: 10% of final grade
• Penalty for Attendance Problems: Participation grade will be reduced; also, after a total of two weeks’ classes worth of absences or other attendance problems, the instructor can drop me at any time, and will consider doing so.
17. I understand
that the final grade is based solely on points earned, and is mathematically
calculated. No other criteria --
such as the specific amount of effort or time invested, personal or other difficulties,
or reasons of need to pass the course -- will
be used in determining a final grade.
18. I understand
that a form for calculating my current grade at any time during the semester is
available in the Course Reader, and that I am responsible for keeping track of
my own points, current performance/grade averages, etc. ,
at all times during the semester.
19. I understand
that numerous additional resources for my success in the class -- including the
instructor’s office hours, (normally) a tutor on campus at days and times to be
announced, computer software, etc. -- are available to me if I should choose to
use them.
20. I understand
that at least one office visit with the instructor during the middle eight
weeks of the semester is very strongly recommended.
21. I understand
that, if possible, a weekly tutorial period facilitated by a qualified teaching
assistant or tutor will be made available, and that my attendance is optional.
22. I understand
that the teaching assistant or tutor will neither assign nor suggest grades
relating to any element of the course for any student.
23. I understand
that if I am unclear about any aspect of this course, its requirements,
assignments, grading procedures, etc., I am responsible for obtaining the
needed clarification.
24. I understand the standards in this course and I accept the
sole responsibility for my own success or failure, and for continually monitoring
my own learning and performance.