Return to Dr. McWhorter's Home Page.CORE 101 ASSIGNMENTS
Dr. McWhorter, Professor
Department of Philosophy
University of Richmond, VA 23173
Fall, 2009
CORE Assignments fall into three categories: (1) class
participation, (2) optional papers, and (3) exams.
Assignments are listed and described below. For policies covering
late work and the Honor Code, please see the Policies
Page.
Class Participation is worth 20% of the final grade in the course. All healthy students are expected to be present, alert, and prepared for class discussion every day. Repeated absences as well as lack of preparation will result in a reduction in the class participation grade. Excusable absences include illness and family emergences. Students who are too ill to attend or who are contagious should email Dr. McWhorter either before class or as soon as possible afterwards. A student's word will be honored in such cases. Students who must leave school for family emergencies should notify either the Richmond College or Westhampton College Dean's Office; the dean's office will notify professors. Loss of points through absence or poor preparation may be made up if a student consistently makes exceptionally good contributions to class discussion--including asking astute questions that help other students clarify their ideas.
There are nine Optional Paper Assignments through the first semester. Students must (MUST!) select and complete three (3!) of the nine assignments (and no more). Each paper is worth 20% of the course grade. Papers must be typed, double-spaced, documented appropriately, and pledged. They should be about 4 to 6 pages in length. Unless otherwise stated, papers are due by the beginning of the class period on the date specified. Late papers are acceptable, but only under the terms of the late policy. You may discuss the topics with anyone, including other class members, but the finished essay must be your own work composed under the terms of the Honor Code. Topics will be posted here a few days prior to the due dates. Please feel free to email Dr. McWhorter if you have questions about this assignment.
September 2:
September 9:
September 23:
October 14:
October 23:
October 28:
November 6:
November 18:
November 23:
There will be two exams, one mid-term and one final, each of which will count for 10% of the course grade. Exams are to be taken in the designated period. If a student anticipates being unable to attend on the day of the mid-term exam, he or she should contact the professor as soon as possible prior to the exam date to make alternative arrangements. Otherwise the student will receive a zero for the exam. Exceptions will only be made in cases of medical or familial emergencies. Students must take the final exam in either the designated or the alternate exam period--no exceptions will be made except by petition of the Dean of Arts & Sciences.
October 9: Mid-term exam. The purpose of this exam is to make sure students are keeping up with the reading. There will be ten questions on the reading, each of which will require a paragraph to answer. Questions will require students to have a grasp of the texts and be able to relate details to major themes or arguments. Students should bring their own paper or bluebooks to the classroom.
December 11 (9:00 class, 9:00) & December 14 (10:30 class, 2:00): Final exam. This exam will be comprehensive and will consist of ten questions on the reading, each of which will require a brief paragraph to answer. Questions will be similar to those on mid-term exams. Students should bring their own paper or bluebooks to the classroom.
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