Coursework Descriptions (View All)

Attendance

Class participation is a significant part of the experience of this course. Since it is extremely difficult to grade class participation fairly (especially the qualitative elements), we grade participation via attendance and we expect participation by all attendees.

Here's a slightly more profound explanation:

  • In the university setting, there are, broadly speaking, two kinds of classes — skills classes and experience classes.
  • A skills class is one where the goal is to acquire a specific set of skills. Most math and language classes are like this. That's why you can get back from your mission to Mexico and test out of 16 hours of Spanish credit. If you can speak it, you get the credit for it. In other words, you have the skill, so you don't need the class.
  • An experiential class is primarily about going through something together for some reason. A lot of religion classes are experiential, despite the quizzes and exams that test you for knowledge. PE classes are largely experiential. The best basketball player in PE class doesn't just show up, hit a jump shot and test out of the class. While there's a skill component to the grading, participation is crucial in a PE class.
  • In practice, most courses are some sort of hybrid, not purely skills or experiential.
  • CS 404 is an almost entirely experiential class. As evidence, you may note that there are no quizzes or exams in this class. Hence, attendance points give you the opportunity to score points simply by showing up with at least one vital sign.

The following are important guidelines relative to attendance:

  • Attendance is mandatory.
  • Attendance is a significant chunk of the grade in this class, and you earn it at the rate of 100% if you materialize in person, keep your laptop shut and your phone in your pocket.
    • Attendance grades will be lowered for students who exhibit chronic tardiness.
    • Students with open laptops or cell phones will lose 1 of 3 attendance points for that day.
      • Exceptions to the laptop policy can be negotiated in advance with the instructor.
      • Exceptions to the laptop policy are only granted for class-related reasons.
  • A student loses 3% of the course grade per absence, up to a maximum penalty of all attendance points.
    • If you have legitimate conflicts, you must communicate these to the instructor in as timely a manner as possible.
      • Before the fact is the epitome of timely, and is the ideal situation.
      • If the conflict is unforeseen, please communicate as quickly as you can after the fact.
    • Excused absences require make-up work where possible.
    • Flexibility in excusing absences without penalty is at the discretion of the instructor. Please keep in mind that we are quite forgiving as long as there is honest communication!
  • An attendance roll will be passed around class each day.
    • You are to personally initial this attendance roll.
    • You may not initial for another student, whether that student is present or absent.