This class is highly, highly collaborative. As such, it is incumbent on you to keep up with your work so that the rest of the class’s work does not suffer. However, this is also an experimental class, and you will not be penalized for struggling or making mistakes. There are no “points off” for subpar work; instead, I’ll work with you to revise and resubmit work until we’re both happy with it.
The grading system we’ll follow in this class is called contract grading. In order to receive a particular grade, you’ll need to complete a series of contract terms, and that is the grade you’ll receive.
In the middle of the semester and at the end of the semester, you’ll write a reflection for me that tells me whether you think you have met the contract stipulations. I will have the option to raise your grade by a third of a letter grade if I think your work has been exceptional, or lower it by a third of a letter grade if I think it has been less so.
Specifics of the grade contract
Your written contract will detail:
- the requirements you will meet in order to receive the grade for which you’ve contracted,
- the penalties you will incur for not meeting those requirements (these can’t be grade-related; think more like “I’ll do an additional something next week” or “I’ll volunteer to peer review a classmate’s script”),
- a calendar you will follow for meeting the requirements you have outlined. Many aspects of this calendar will be determined by windows outlined on the course schedule, but your contract will take ownership of these deadlines while committing to specific due dates for the course’s more flexible assignments.
Every contract must include these elements:
- You will come to class regularly (how often may be stipulated in your grade-specific contract).
- You will work collaboratively in a constructive and non-threatening way with your fellow students.
- You will revise any work that is not satisfactory until you and I deem them satisfactory.
- You will write a self-assessment at the end of the semester that details how your work has fulfilled the contract you and I have agreed upon.
To receive an A
If you wish to receive an A in this course, you must agree to at least these things:
- Be absent from no more than 2 class periods during the semester (extenuating circumstances should be discussed in advance with me).
- Participate actively in class discussion, either in person or virtually through our course Slack channel, including sharing additional resources you’ve discovered about course topics past your own area of focus.
- With your group, write a script for your podcast episode and revise until it is deemed satisfactory.
- Complete all production work for the podcast either on time or (even better) early.
- [Other items specific to podcast production, which will be added when we move into the more production-heavy phase–this may include sound design, editing, music writing, or other elements]
- Meet all the terms of your group contract.
To receive a B
If you wish to receive a B, you must agree to at least these things:
- Be absent from no more than 3 class periods during the semester (extenuating circumstances should be discussed in advance with me).
- Participate actively in class discussion, either in person or virtually through our course Slack channel, particularly about your own research topic.
- With your team, write a script for your podcast episode and revise until it is deemed satisfactory.
- Complete all production work for the podcast on time.
- [Other items specific to podcast production, which will be added when we move into the more production-heavy phase]
- Meet all the terms of your group contract.
To receive a C
If you wish to receive a C in this course, you must agree to at least these things:
- Be absent from no more than 5 class periods during the semester (extenuating circumstances should be discussed in advance with me).
- Participate actively in class discussion in a way that evidences that you have prepared adequately using the assigned materials.
- With your team, write a script for your podcast episodes and revise it until it is deemed satisfactory.
- Complete all production work for the podcast on time.
- Meet all the terms of your group contract.
You may not contract for a D or an F. These grades are reserved for if you fail to meet the terms of your contract in a systemic way. If you maintain contact with me and your classmates about your struggles and needs, you should not fear getting a D or F.
Group contract
In order to make your podcast work fair and equitable, you and your group will be deciding on the breakdown of responsibilities for the show. You will be giving yourself and your colleagues a list of the tasks that each member of your team will be taking care of. This list is a non-exhaustive list of those tasks:
- Hosting the show (recording the tracking)
- Editing and mixing
- Sounds
- Music
- Show notes
- Images
In your contract, you’ll also be outlining the steps you’ll take as a group to deal with conflict. Include terms such as the medium in which resolution should begin, when you would like the professor to get involved, and what are the ramifications if a member of the group does not fulfill their role.
