Welcome to POLS 206, Introduction to American Politics.
Most everything you need for this course will be available through this blog. An electronic version of the course syllabus is available under the course documents tab in the top right corner of this website. I will add other documents, including lecture slides and exam review sheets, as the semester continues.
Try to make a habit of checking in with this website on a regular basis. It is required reading, and I use it to make important announcements about class (including extra credit opportunities, changes in assignments, etc.).
Good luck this semester.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Signing off (more or less)
Thank you all for a great semester.
This is my fifth year of teaching at the college level, and it probably goes without saying that some semesters are better than others. This has been a very good semester. You all have been great, and I especially appreciate all the positive feedback on the course.
I look forward to seeing you all around campus, and I hope some of you will consider taking some higher-level course in political science. As always, I am usually around the Allen Building if you I can ever be of assistance.
So, this is my last official post for the semester. I will probably post a few house-keeping items of the next week, such as some details on the final grade distribution, etc. So, check back if you like.
Have a great summer, and good luck.
This is my fifth year of teaching at the college level, and it probably goes without saying that some semesters are better than others. This has been a very good semester. You all have been great, and I especially appreciate all the positive feedback on the course.
I look forward to seeing you all around campus, and I hope some of you will consider taking some higher-level course in political science. As always, I am usually around the Allen Building if you I can ever be of assistance.
So, this is my last official post for the semester. I will probably post a few house-keeping items of the next week, such as some details on the final grade distribution, etc. So, check back if you like.
Have a great summer, and good luck.
Office Hours Reminder
My final set of office hours for the semester will be Monday morning from 8:30-11:00. My office, again, is 2117 in the Allen Building.
Final Grades Are Up
I received grades for the third exam from the scantron folks this afternoon, and I have been able to post them (and the lingering extra credit points I have not yet gotten up) along with final grades for the course.
A few notes:
Letter grades are assigned on the basis of the scale in the syllabus, i.e. above 90-A, 80-89-B, etc. I took the liberty of rounding up (so As start at 89.5). I assume that no one will mind.
To calculate your final numerical grade by hand, you must compute a weighted average of the three exams. Exam 1 is 25% of the total. Exam 2 is 35%. Exam 3 is 40%.
If you were in class on Monday and signed in for the relevant extra credit, you have a "y" in the LAST DAY column in the grade book. If you are in this group, I gave an extra half point in rounding for assigning final letter grades (so, an A for an 89, for example). This bumped about 15 up a letter.
I haven't had time to calculate a full grade distribution, but it looks like something around 10% of the class got an A, 35% got a B, 35% got a C, 15% got a D, and about 5% got an F. I'll post more details later.
As a reminder, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law that protects the confidentiality of your academic records. I am prohibited by law (and university policy) from communicating with anyone but you (or other approved university personnel) about your grades. I am also prohibited from communicating information about your grades to you via unsecured communications methods (including e-mail) or when I cannot verify your identity (such a a telephone call). So, if you wish to speak with me about your grades, the conversation must be initiated in person. My office hours on Monday (from 8:30-11:00AM) would be an excellent opportunity to do so.
A few notes:
Letter grades are assigned on the basis of the scale in the syllabus, i.e. above 90-A, 80-89-B, etc. I took the liberty of rounding up (so As start at 89.5). I assume that no one will mind.
To calculate your final numerical grade by hand, you must compute a weighted average of the three exams. Exam 1 is 25% of the total. Exam 2 is 35%. Exam 3 is 40%.
If you were in class on Monday and signed in for the relevant extra credit, you have a "y" in the LAST DAY column in the grade book. If you are in this group, I gave an extra half point in rounding for assigning final letter grades (so, an A for an 89, for example). This bumped about 15 up a letter.
I haven't had time to calculate a full grade distribution, but it looks like something around 10% of the class got an A, 35% got a B, 35% got a C, 15% got a D, and about 5% got an F. I'll post more details later.
As a reminder, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law that protects the confidentiality of your academic records. I am prohibited by law (and university policy) from communicating with anyone but you (or other approved university personnel) about your grades. I am also prohibited from communicating information about your grades to you via unsecured communications methods (including e-mail) or when I cannot verify your identity (such a a telephone call). So, if you wish to speak with me about your grades, the conversation must be initiated in person. My office hours on Monday (from 8:30-11:00AM) would be an excellent opportunity to do so.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Exam 3 grades and office hours
I expect to be able to post grades from exam 3 on Thursday or Friday. When I do, I will also post final grades for the course.
I will hold office hours next Monday (5/11) from 8:30-11:00. My office is 2117 in the Allen Building, which is on the West Campus, off the No. 5 bus route, next to the Bush Presidential Library.
I am holding these extra office hours for students who would like to review their third exam, need to point out errors in my calculating their grades (e.g. I have not computed the average correctly or assigned extra credit, etc.), or have other end of the semester business to wrap up. These office hours are not a chance to come plead for grade changes, curves, etc.
I will hold office hours next Monday (5/11) from 8:30-11:00. My office is 2117 in the Allen Building, which is on the West Campus, off the No. 5 bus route, next to the Bush Presidential Library.
I am holding these extra office hours for students who would like to review their third exam, need to point out errors in my calculating their grades (e.g. I have not computed the average correctly or assigned extra credit, etc.), or have other end of the semester business to wrap up. These office hours are not a chance to come plead for grade changes, curves, etc.
Makeup exams
If you need to take a makeup for exam 3, I will be giving those on Tuesday during normal class times in CHEM 100. Please bring all relevant documentation (doctors' notes etc.) with you to class.
Class this week
As a reminder, classes will meet today (Monday) and tomorrow at their regular times and places. Tomorrow is a redefined Friday, so you should be attending all of your Friday classes.
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