Contract for Philosophy 4 Course
This contract is fashioned after a
contract used by Prof. Richard Paul, Director of the Center for Critical
Thinking at Sonoma State University.
In contrast to Prof. Paulπs, 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
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. So, you are responsible for
understanding and following the contract below:
1.
I accept the 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 in a
three-unit course, six hours of homework constitutes the appropriate and
expected commitment to 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 ahead in advance.
4.
I understand that one goal of
this course involves deep, careful reading, and that my six-hour weekly
commitment will involve the slow and careful reading and re-reading of
materials, rather than quick, inattentive, or surface reading.
5.
I understand that any paper
or written homework assignment will be graded only if it is turned in by the due
date. No homework received after
that date will receive a grade, though it will be read and commented upon in the
normal manner after papers received on time are read and graded.
6.
I understand that I will be
called upon to demonstrate my work in class, and to participate in other
ways.
7.
I understand that I will be
responsible for taking an active part in advancing the assigned work of the
class community, and any groups to which I am assigned.
8.
I understand that the work of
the course requires consistent classroom attendance and active, skilled
participation based upon appropriate preparation for the subject matter being
studied currently.
9.
I understand that if I have
extended 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.
10.
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 may slow the class unjustifiably; I could be asked
to leave that class meeting.
11.
I understand that tardiness
and/or leaving a class meeting before its completion constitutes attendance
problems, which will affect my performance, and so, the quality of my
participation.
12.
I understand that if I miss a
test [or quiz], the test 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.
13.
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 an A or an F.
14.
I understand the basis of the
final grade as follows:
Tests: Six, at 40 points each;
Homework: -- 20 points each
Reading Quizzes -- 10 points each
Active, Skilled Participation: --100
points
Penalty for Attendance Problems: Participation grade will be reduced; also, after a total of two weeksπ classes worth of absences or other attendance problems, the instructor can drop me at any time, and will consider doing so.
15.
I understand that the final
grade is based on 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, the
nature of my need for a passing or other grade -- will be used in determining a
final grade, though.
16.
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.
17.
I understand that at least
one office visit with the instructor during the middle eight weeks of the
semester is very strongly recommended.
18.
I understand that, like any
course, this course may not cover particular authors, issues, etc., that are of
particular interest to me.
19.
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.
20.
I understand the standards in
this course and I accept the sole responsibility for my own success or failure,
and for monitoring my own learning and performance.