*1 Absence = 55 Points; 2 Absences = 45 Points; 3 Absences = 35 Points; 4 Absences = 25 Points; 5 Absences = 15 Points; 6+ Absences = 0 Points.

In this class, students will be graded on the completion and quality of various assignments—in other words, you will be graded on the PROCESS of research and writing history, not solely on the final paper. The emphasis of this course is primarily on developing individual reading, research, and writing skills. Additionally, there is some emphasis placed on cooperative support. Your scholarly research and writing will be both much improved and more efficiently completed with feedback from others. Historian’s Craft is a demanding class designed to provide students with strong foundation skills for successful work in other critical thinking classes—and to provide Liberal Studies students with critical training for Capstone Papers---so set aside enough time to do your best work.

PLEASE READ SYLLABUS & NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

1-Some classes will be devoted to individual meetings, so it is critical that you don't miss scheduled classes. Attending class is essential, and absences will only be excused in documented emergencies.

2-Again, the first part of the class is the most difficult. WORK HARD on your proposal and the rest of the semester will beWONDERFUL!

3-The above is key to your success in the class and is worth repeating: The first part of the class is the most

difficult. WORK HARD and the rest of the semester will be WONDERFUL!

4-Please make deadlines even if an assignment is NOT fully completed or NOT completed to your full

satisfaction. Making deadlines is an important part of this class, and you will always do better to

turn in the work you have done (“checked” weekly assignments cannot be made up, for example, and

you will at least get some credit for partially completed work).

5-At the same time, please don’t miss class because an assignment is not completed. Class participation has an

impact on your grade,and your presence will make up for any points lost on a late assignment. DON’T

FEAR FACING YOUR INSTRUCTOR over late papers, for as you know, it is far more scary to face

the work itself after deadline. Besides, I promise not to threaten you in any way!

I am your coach, and my job is to challenge and encourage you to do your best work.

(Please don’t disrespect your instructor, either).

6-NONE of the assignments is frivolous busy work. PLEASE TRUST IN YOUR TEACHER. ALL assignments, and

especially those underlined, add up to significantly needed student skills and a thoughtfully designed

and articulated research paper.WHY learn the hard way when your teacher has already made those

mistakes? Read the syllabus, website, and course materials carefully. The requirements of each

assignment is carefully outlined on the web, and will be additionally explained in class.

7-Read syllabus, assignments, and some required reading TWICE, then ask questions, the first class excepted.

8-IF you HAVE TO MISS CLASS, which we have already established is NOT A GOOD IDEA, then CALL/ TALK

TO ANOTHER STUDENT to find out what you missed. If you still have questions after you have

talked to other students, then please come seeme or send an email. It is your responsibility to get

notes on material missed first from another student. When you go FIRST to the instructor, you are

asking the instructor to teach the class twice. However, after talking to other students and getting

notes, it is sometimes a good idea to check in with the instructor to double check your

understanding. It is NEVER a good idea to ask an instructor after missing a class, “Did I miss

anything?”

9-Historian’s Craft is a good place to learn how to be a good student, to learn what is expected of you,

and to find out how to get the most from your classes and teachers. FOR THE MOST PART, then, NO

question is a bad question —so when in doubt, ask.