Graded Assignments

PHIL 258/WS 221:
Introduction to Feminist Theories
Dr. McWhorter
Fall, 1999

• In-class quiz on September 16 - 10%
• In-class Exam on September 30 - 20%
• Take-home Exam on November 8 - 25%
• Comprehensive Final Exam on December xx - 35%
• Attendance and Participation - 10%

About the September 16th Quiz:
The purpose of this quiz is to test your knowledge of the terminology and concepts introduced so far in the course, to encourage you to keep up with the reading, and to give you a chance to learn how to study for a philosophy exam before your first major mid-term. You should study both notes and texts, paying careful attention to any words that were defined in class. Be sure you can compare and contrast concepts across different philosophical theories. It is permissible to study together, and in fact it is encouraged. The exam will consist of (1) five questions that can be answered in a phrase or a sentence or two and (2) one essay question. The short questions will each count for 10% of the quiz grade; the essay will count for 50% of the quiz grade. The quiz is worth 10% of your final grade in the course.

About the September 30th In-class Exam:
The purpose of this exam is to test your knowledge of liberal and socialist political theories as feminists have adapted and used them over the past hundred years. Not only will you be expected to know and use concepts and terminology introduced through the first third of the course, but you will also be expected to integrate what you've learned, to critique theories and arguments, and to construct arguments to support your position or point of view. You should study all notes and texts discussed since the beginning of the semester, including those covered on the Sept. 16 quiz. The exam will consist of (1) five questions that can be answered in a phrase or sentence, (2) two questions that can be answered in a paragraph, and (3) one essay question. Each sentence answer is worth 5% of the exam grade; each paragraph answer is worth 20%; and the essay is worth 35%. The exam is worth 20% of your final course grade.

About the November 4th Take-home Exam:
A few days before November 4, you will receive a set of questions in class. You will choose one of the questions and write an essay in response to it. Your essay must be typed, double-spaced, and fully documented. You may discuss it with your classmates, but if you use material from discussions, you must document them and credit your source. The final product must be your own. Keep in mind that there is a clearly defined late policy for this course.

About the Comprehensive Final Exam:
The final exam in the course covers all material from the semester. Its format is similar to the October 3rd exam, but it is longer. All students must take the exam during the scheduled exam period for this class. There will be fifteen short answer questions, one essay on epistemology, and one general essay. You will have some choice on the essay parts of the exam, but no choice on the short answers.

About Attendance and Participation:
Grades for attendance and participation are calculated in the following way: Students begin with 80 points. Noticeable and repeated absences drop students 10-20 points, depending on how noticeable and how often repeated. Efforts to contribute to class discussion may raise students 10 points. Helpful and considered contributions that clearly reflect a knowledge of the reading assignments may raise students another 10 points. Therefore, it is possible for students who attend regularly, read, and contribute in helpful and intelligent ways to get 100 points. It is also possible for students who contribute brilliantly but attend sporadically to get less than 80 points and for students who attend religiously but never speak to get no more than 80 points. The moral of this story is: Read the texts, come to class often, speak at least occasionally, and be smart.