GENERAL EXPECTATIONS
There are a few elementary things you can do to ensure that you receive a totally respectable grade in this course. These things may seem simple and obvious, but they can be hard to get right and are vitally important:
- Be present. Show up to all of the course sessions, on time.
- Be responsible. Communicate with your professor beforehand if you must miss a session.
- Be aware. Contribute to the well being of the class community.
- Be diligent. Submit all of the Assignments, on time.
- Follow instructions: do all parts of the Deliverables, paying careful attention to seemingly trivial requirements (such as categorizing your blog posts correctly, using quality photo documentation, giving your blog post a title in the requested format etc.).
There are also some things you can do to earn a really great grade in this course:
- Make interesting, novel, provocative work that’s well-crafted.
- Document your work well.
- Be fearless and resourceful about getting the assistance you need.
- Help your classmates when they’re stuck.
- Make helpful contributions to discussions.
FOLLOW YOUR PASSION
This is a class based in creativity and making. I strongly suggest that you (the creative maker) to make the assignments interesting to you. Our assignments are starting-points, prompts and propositions.
Notwithstanding the above, you will always be expected to conform to certain basic expectations in regards to deliverables and documentation. Did you include an image of your project? Did you write the requested narrative and reflection? These expectations are non-negotiable.
ASSIGNMENTS & PROJECTS
There are 6 major assignments: Tapestry Weaving, Sample Book, Textile Talks, Encoded Cloth, and Final Project (which can be collaborative or individual). The small assignments throughout semester are a part of the Sample Book. All assignments are due at the start of the class on the due date indicated. Due dates for each assignment are listed on the course schedule. Late Final Projects or the small assignments will not be accepted (without special advance permission). Other late assignments will be will lose 10 points for each week late.
PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT
Participation includes attendance in class, active participation in the class community, stewardship of communal space and resources, helping peers, contributing to discussion and critiques, attentive listening, general demeanor and respect of peers, faculty, and staff.
Each student will start the semester with 10 points. The following infractions will cause deductions of one point for each occurrence, at the discretion of the professor. You may or may not receive a warning before receiving a demerit:
- Unexcused lateness (more than 10 minutes)
- Repeated tardiness (less than 10 minutes)
- Active Facebooking, texting & social media use
- Open laptops during a guest presentation
- Interrupting someone who is speaking
- Inappropriate remarks or other behavior
- This list is not exhaustive.
GRADING BREAKDOWN SUMMARY
Your final grade is the product of your Participation and your Projects, i.e.:
(Participation and Engagement) × (Projects and other Deliverables).
- Participation and Engagement are straightforwardly calculable from your attendance record and any demerits (see above) you may have incurred.
- Projects and Deliverables are graded as above, A-F.
Specific point structure, equalling 100 points:
- Tapestry Weaving: 20 points
- Sample Book: 15 points
- Textile Talks: 15 points
- Encoded Cloth: 20 points
- Final Project: 20 points
- Class Participation: 10 points
(Credit: The text above is adapted from syllabi by Golan Levin.)