ASSESSMENT

The main requirement is active participation in the course. This includes regular attendance, contribution to class discussion based on advance preparation, and a variety of written work, including short informal writing assignments, responses to your peers' ideas, and two formal papers.

There will be no exams. The module will be graded on 100% continuous assessment, which comprises 60% for papers and projects and 40% for virtual classroom and in-class performance.

Paper 1: 25%

5 page academic argument drawn from the close reading of a theory text and one of the literary or art works of Unit 1.

Paper 2 or Final Project: 35%

There are two options for approaching this. The first option is a longer essay (7-10 pages) researching and theorizing an interesting or problematic or otherwise compelling case of postmodern laughter/amusement/play identified by you. The second option is to use your theoretical knowledge and creativity to construct a case of postmodern laughter (such as a web-based project although other projects are negotiable) and accompany it with documentation and theoretical analysis.

IVLE: 20%

There will be regular short, informal writing assignments in preparation for class (posted on an IVLE discussion forum). These short responses must be turned in by the deadline to receive credit. You can miss two of these in the course of the semester without penalty. You are invited to post any further relevant ideas, questions and comments and you are expected to follow postings and conversations in preparation for class discussion. Evaluation will be based on the quality of your contributions and your overall activity on the forum.

Presentations: 10%

Students can sign up for presentations in teams of two. Presentations will be on theory texts and on additional topics/works related to our class discussions. Bringing clarity to challenging texts, raising interesting questions, and engaging the class in discussion are the top priorities. The two presenters also need to submit a record of the presentation (paper handouts or slides or other media to highlight the main points--whatever format is chosen in light of the topic).

Class participation: 10%

By actively participating in group work and discussions, you can test out ideas, develop the skills of speaking before an audience, and contribute to the understanding of an issue. As you well know, through active participation you will not only learn more, but also have much more fun learning.

POLICIES

For all policy matters: please talk to me about any questions or difficulties you may have sooner rather than later.

Plagiarism:
All work turned in for this course, whether formal or informal writing, is assumed to be the student's own, original work. Students found plagiarizing (using someone else's ideas or words without proper acknowledgement) will receive an "F" for that assignment and may fail the course, depending on the severity of the offense. (Collaborating on assignments where collaboration is not expressly allowed or encouraged falls in the same categery as plagiarism.) Please see me before turning in an assignment if you are in doubt about how to cite properly.

Attendance:
Regular attendance is necessary for successful participation in the course. Should you miss three classes (even with excuses absences) you will need to discuss these absences with me. Three unexcused absences will negatively affect your grade. If you miss any classes, it is your responsibility to make up any missed work and to keep up with the reading. If you have trouble locating any of the readings (if a link doesn't work or an essay mysteriously vanished from the packet in the Reading Room), please inform me as soon as possible so that we can solve the problem well before the class discussion.

All papers are due on the dates noted. Late papers are not accepted, unless prior arrangements have been made, or in very exceptional circumstances. Please talk to me before the assignment is due if you know you will have problems meeting the deadline.