Class Policies

Math 200 Mathematics and Culture
Instructor: Kathleen M. Shannon
Office: HS 132A
Phone: 410-543-6476
E-Mail: KMSHANNON@Salisbury.EDU

Office Hours: Mondays 11-11:50 and 2-3:15; TR 2-3:15 . I am in my office much more often than this, call, stop by. If I'm not in my office look around the building (seminar room, Linda's office, other faculty offices, the tutoring room etc.), or make an appointment. (My class schedule is posted outside my office and should give you clues about other times I am probably available.) There are answering machines on both of my phones and I do not object to calls about homework or problems (grade inquiries should be made in person) at home at reasonable (avoid a.m.) times.

Prerequisite: Eng 101, two years of high school algebra and a year of high school geometry.

Attendance: Is Required You must attend and participate in 90% of the classes to be eligible for an A, 80% to be eligible for a B, 70% to be eligible for a C and 60% to be eligible for a D. In a normal semester 90% means missing no more than 3 classes; 80% missing no more than 6 classes, 70% no more than 8 classes and 60%, no more than 11.

Homework: ALL HOMEWORK MUST BE TYPED! I suggest using a word processor and proof reading a first draft BEFORE printing the final draft. Where necessary, mathematical symbols and computations may be added (neatly) by hand to the typewritten text.

A large portion of your grade in this class will be determined by your homework assignments. These and any in-class assignments will be graded on the following scale:

Straight check's end up as a borderline B/C grade. Some assignments will not lend themselves to fine distinctions so that there may be some assignments where everyone receives a check. On the more complex assignments the following can be very helpful: (1) Write and rewrite.(2) Ask a friend to read your assignment and see if it makes sense. If your friend consistently thinks your essays are terrific but you don't get "good" grades, try another friend. (3) Don't wait until the last minute. (4) Rewrite after you have been away from it for a while (e.g. the next day). (5) Read the assignments carefully - make sure you understand the question. If you don't - ASK!!! Many of the assignments in this course will be open ended. In other words there will be no one "right answer." There are frequently, however, "wrong answers" and there are always good and poor answers. Because the questions are open ended, and because I want you to think about and find your own answers, I can't tell you in advance what I want. Periodically I will read "good" student responses as examples in class and I am always happy to discuss assignments with you on an individual basis. You are always welcome to discuss your work with me during office hours. You are also encouraged to discuss assignments with each other. Make sure to credit each other in your essays if you do so. If you are not satisfied with the grades you are receiving you should definitely talk to me about how to improve your essays. Late papers will not be accepted. (The exception to this rule is that I will generally accept papers if I have not begun grading the set yet and we did not have extensive discussion of it in class after it was due.) However, there will be a limited number of "make-up" assignments (1 or 2) which can be used to replace missed homework or homework which has received a "low" grade.

Quizzes: There will only be quizzes given if it is my judgement that students are not coming to class prepared and willing to participate. In the event that quizzes become necessary, they will be graded on the same scale as the homework and factored appropriately into the homework grade.

Paper/review/project: See the attached assignment description

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