I never thought it would come to this. I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD COME TO THIS.
I’m putting the final version of my 101 syllabus (and all the other seventeen documents) together, and am typing things like this:
“Since much of the work you will do in this course happens during class time, absences and tardiness can interfere negatively with your progress toward the above goals. Because of this, I will allow up to six (6) absences without penalty. Each class missed after that will reduce your final course grade by ⅓ of a letter grade (from B+ to a B, or a B- to a C+, for example).”
—AND—
“I do not accept late work, mostly because it slows you down. Late work means late feedback, which means you’re scrambling to get later assignments done on time. So keep track of the syllabus so you can submit your assignments when they are due. If you must miss class on a day that homework or an assignment is due, email it to me PRIOR to class time.”
—AND!—
“I also do not accept obviously careless work. All homework and assignments must be properly formatted—refer to specific assignment sheets for those parameters—and assignments or homework without assignment sheets must be typed, proofread, and free of typos.”
Help. I’m a fraud. Fire me now.
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July 18, 2012 at 1:55 pm
pacellaml
Douglas Morris’ syllabus for Brit Lit or something scared me so badly that I called him at 9:00 p.m., to double check the margin size for homework assignments. You are so far from that level of terrifying syllabus language.
July 18, 2012 at 5:30 pm
kaitlynsage
Best of luck, dear one. Remember that no one can do everything. Don’t get too caught up in the details. I found that I became really overwhelmed if I tried to do everything perfectly. You’re in school to write. Don’t forget that. Writing comes first. Every time.
July 18, 2012 at 5:36 pm
erinreeveerin
Sounds pretty damned legit to me. I agree – just try not to emulate Dr Morris.
July 19, 2012 at 8:13 am
whatwhileweslept
Megan & Erin: Ha ha, oh Dr. Morris. Thank God I’m not at that level, … though — I really would like to have seen a syllabus of his. I missed my chance, and then he retired. Any chance either of you saved one…? I think reading one would make me feel better about everything, in general.
Kaitlyn: That is really what I need to hear. That’s the most encouraging thing that people say to me (and so far only three have said it, yourself included). I think I should probably print this up and tape it above my desk.
dear god!
July 19, 2012 at 10:27 am
pacellaml
I seriously might have a Dr. Morris syllabus. I will look through my old crates of old papers and scribbled notes. If I can find one, I will mail it to you! If there are swear words in the margins of his 18-page syllabus, please remember that I was only 19. Best of luck, my dear!
July 19, 2012 at 12:08 pm
whatwhileweslept
Ha ha. Thank you. If you’re in the midst of wedding crises, don’t even worry about it. If, however, you look for one & find it, how awesome that would be. And irate marginalia is usually the funniest kind. :)