Regular Attendance: Attendance is required at every class. After three absences, I will lower your final grade a third of a letter (e.g., from A- to B+) for each absence; the sixth absence will result in your failing the course. Repeated lateness will be counted as an absence, at my discretion. These are departmental policies; I cannot change them.

Four papers: 2 of 300-500 words, 1 of 700-1000 words, and 1 of 1200-1500 words; please include a computer word count on your paper. Late papers will be graded down 1/3 of a grade (e.g., from A- to B+) for each day late. I will not accept papers more than a week late; such papers will receive a grade of zero.

Two exams: an in-class midterm, and a final exam during exam period.

Class participation. This class depends on your engagement, both in listening and talking. While you will not be penalized for reticence, I guarantee that the more you participate, the better your papers will become. I expect everyone to treat each other with respect and professionalism, especially while critiquing papers.

Grading Formula:
Occasional quizzes: 10% total; Paper 1: 10%; Paper 2: 10%; Paper 3: 15%; In-class midterm: 15%; Paper 4: 20%; Final exam: 20%

Required Texts (available at Labyrinth Books):
Dangarembga, Tsitsi. Nervous Conditions.
The MLA Handbook.
The Norton Anthology of English Literature (Major Authors Edition), packaged with Pride and Prejudice.
Shakespeare, William. Macbeth (I haven�t ordered it; use any edition you want.)
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein.
Wells, H. G. The War of the Worlds.

Plagiarism: I take plagiarism extremely seriously. Students who plagiarize will fail the course, and I will report the student to the Deans. Even for a first infraction, you risk serious punishment. Here is an excerpt from Columbia's official statement on plagiarism: In making clear Columbia's policy on plagiarism, it is not feasible to include here all the various forms-they are innumerable-which plagiarism might take. It is useful, however, to list several obvious varieties in order to dispel confusion about what the College will not tolerate:

1. Submitting of essays, or portions of essays, written by other people as one's own.
2. Failing to acknowledge, through proper footnotes and bibliographical entries, the source of ideas essentially not one's own.
3. Failing to indicate paraphrases or ideas or verbatim expressions not one's own through proper use of quotation and footnotes.
4. Submitting an essay written for one course to a second course without having sought prior permission from both instructors.

Obviously, I do not want students to stumble accidentally into plagiarism. If you have any questions or doubts, please contact me before handing in the assignment.