Course: CORE I - The Contemporary Situation

Professor:  T.M. Massoels:
Office Phone:  866-6284

Office Hours (Core Building - 217):
        Monday, Wednesday, Friday:  8:00am - 9:00am
        ** Email to set up an appointment

Email: teresam@saintjoe.edu     

Course Objective: To study the human situation in the 20th century with its crises and achievements. The course aims at student involvement in the world through reflection and communication.

Grading Policy: (2 GRADES)

1) EXAMS:

Quizzes (announced & unannounced), Quant Lit assignments

20%

Presentations (09/28, 11/18-Written/Oral Exam)

20%

Exams:  (10/07, 12/14)

40%

Class Attendance:

10%

Class Participation

10%

TOTAL

100%

2) WRITING:

In-Class Writing Exercises

15%

First Day/Night at SJC     (1 page DUE:   08/31)

5%

Summary                         (2 pages DUE:  09/14)
   *  Tom Ryan's Lecutre on 09/02

10%

Compare/Contrast           (3 pages DUE:  09/28)
   *The role parents/guardians have/had in your life to those of Tobias Wolff and/or James McBride

15%

Position                           (4 pages DUE:  10/26)
   * The importance of politics in a 17-19 year old.

20%

Autobiography                (7 pages DUE:  11/18)
   * Putting it all together:  Who are you?

25%

Summary                        (2 pages DUE:  12/07)
   * Core I:  What was it all about?

10%

TOTAL

100%


Grading Scale:
    A  100 - 93%        B+  89 - 86%        C+  79 - 76%        D+  69 - 66%
    A-  92 - 90%        B    85 - 83%         C    75 - 73%        D    65 - 63%
                                 B-  82 - 80%        C-   72 - 70%        D-   62 - 60%
    F - 59% OR BELOW

 **Academic Honesty:  Plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty on any assignments,
tests, or quizzes will not be tolerated.  If the instructor finds that a student has engaged in
dishonesty, the student may be referred to the Dean of Academic Affairs for appropriate action.

CLASS PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE * Every student is expected to attend ALL lectures and classes. The success of the CORE program is dependent largely upon the active participation of the students. It is extremely difficult to participate if no one has done the readings or attended the lectures. Failure to attend classes and lectures will hurt your final grade since this is 20% of each grade.

LATE WORK NOT ACCEPTED * Papers are due at the BEGINNING of class on the date given (or prior to the due date). No late papers will be accepted without an excused absence. For every day a paper is late, a letter grade will be subtracted.  * If you are going to be absent the day a test is given, schedule a time to take the test prior to the time the test is given in class. No make-up tests will be given to students with out an excused absence.

EXCUSED ABSENCE * Counseling Services * Sporting Event * Band or Choir Concert * Other.(teacher's discretion) ** Even though you are excused from class, you are still responsible to make up the work that you missed.

RE-WRITES * SOME papers written and handed in for the writing classes are given second chances. When a paper is given back to you with a letter grade on it, it should also have some comments as to why the letter attached to the paper was given. If a re-write is allowed (and the instructor will let you know what papers are going to be allowed for re-writes) it is at the time that the paper is given back, that a ONE WEEK re-write time frame is allowed. It is at this point that the student can either take the grade he/she received, or turn it back in within one week for a second try for a better grade.

** Remember, only one week re-write time is allowed. If no re-write paper is turned back in within that one week, the original grade will stand.

SPECIAL NEEDS * If you are a student with a disability, please see me before the third week of the semester to discuss any accommodations you might need for class activity, examinations, and out of class assignments in order to participate fully and demonstrate your abilities.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE... ALL PAPER MUST:

* Be Typed, Double-spaced            
* Title Page            
* Contain footnotes and bibliography when needed
* Proof-read (no spelling errors!!)

PLEASE COMMENT ON YOUR PAPER IF YOU DO NOT WANT THE CONTENTS SHARED WITH OTHERS. * There will be times in class when you will be asked to share your paper, or someone else's paper in the class. If you want to write about something, and do not wish others to read or hear about what you wrote, then make a comment on the TITLE-PAGE that this should be kept confidential.

** During the writing session, there will be times that we will do oral-presentations.  You might have to
read a paper that you have already done, or you may have to read the work you were doing during
class.  ALL students will be required to speak in front of the class.  This will be your chance to work
on your communication skills.

WRITING CLINIC * Please take advantage of the writing clinic. If you want help setting up an appointment please see me or walk into the writing clinic office (2nd floor of the Core Building).

TUTORS * Tutors are available. If you find yourself falling behind in your readings or writing assignments, please contact me. If a tutor would help we will schedule one for you.

** I will be offering Core 1 help on Wednesdays from 1:30pm-2:30pm.  If this day/time does not work we can arrange another day/time.