Grading

Assignments and Projects
There are 4 major assignments:
1. Tapestry Weaving
2. What Matters? Banners and Quilts
3. Final Project
4. Samples.

All assignments are due at the start of the class on the due date indicated, unless otherwise stated. Due dates for each assignment are listed on the course schedule (subject to change). Please communicate with your instructor promptly if you have fallen behind or anticipate falling behind; do not wait until several days before the deadline to ask for an extension. Students can redo any assignment and resubmit for grading before the final class.

Grading Breakdown Summary
Projects and Deliverables are graded as above, A-F

Specific point structure, equalling 100 points:
GRADING RUBRIC can be found here.

Tapestry Weaving: 30 points
All Assigned Samples, includes Weaving Sample (PASS/FAIL): 20 points
What Matters? Banner: 20 points
Final Project (PASS/FAIL): 10 points
Pinterest, Discussions, Participation, Attendance, Attitude: 20 points

Pinterest, Discussions, Participation, Attendance, Attitude:
All students start with 20 points at the beginning of the semester. Poor participation may result in loss of up to 20 points at the discretion of the instructor. Students will receive an update regarding their standing in this category with each graded project. Students may inquire at any point in the semester in regards to their standing in this category.

Quizzes will be utilized to assess whether students are watching the assigned videos outside of class and retaining the presented information. If a video is assigned as homework, students should assume that there will be a quiz the following class.

This category includes:
-active participation in the class community
-being present in class activities (not using personal social media during class, not actively texting, not checking news etc)
-stewardship of communal space and resources, participation in clean up, helping peers
-contributing to discussion and critiques; attentive listening
-general demeanor and respect of peers, faculty, and staff
-regular posting of work and research on Pinterest in the requested format and in appropriate folders
-watching of assigned videos outside of class and quizzes
-attendance and on time arrival

Attendance to all classes and class-related activities is expected. You are responsible for what happens in class whether you’re here or not. Check the website to find out what you missed. Organize with your classmates to get class information and materials you have missed. Students are allowed 2 unexcused missed classes. Unexcused late arrivals are strongly discouraged.

Late Arrivals
Please work hard to NOT be late. As is, our classes are already really short for hands on type of learning: 1 hour and 50 minutes.   

Expected absences: Within the first week of our course, please look ahead and see if you need to miss class for any excusable reason (religious holidays, CMU-sponsored events, medical or family plans you cannot change etc.) and email me.

Illness: Let me know before class if you are ill and must miss class. I am understanding and accommodating about medical issues when you inform me in a timely and professional manner.
If students choose to attend class while displaying symptoms of a respiratory ailment, they are asked to wear an N95 mask to ensure the health and comfort of their peers and the instructor. This practice helps maintain a safe and respectful learning environment for everyone.

If You Have Fallen Behind
Please communicate with your instructor promptly if you have fallen behind or anticipate falling behind; do not wait to communicate that you need help or ask for an extension. Students can redo any assignment and resubmit for grading before the final class.

Mental presence and social media. Physical and virtual presence means nothing if you’re “checked out”; your mental presence is paramount. During the instructor’s lectures or guest presentations, open laptops and social media are prohibited. You can exist for a few hours without tweeting, facebooking, chatting, texting, and emailing. Any laptop or phone for social media, texting, etc. is banned during lectures, critiques and group discussion, unless specifically allowed/requested by the instructor.

Critique: Your presence and participation is especially important for critiques. Sometimes students who have not completed their projects think that missing class is better than coming empty handed. This is the wrong assumption! Your participation on critique days is essential, regardless of whether or not your project is complete. Critique sessions and conversations help you understand our class standards, expectations, and criteria for good work. Even if your own project is unfinished, you are still expected to contribute productively to the class discussion.

Follow Your Passion
This is a class based on creativity and making. I strongly suggest that you (the creative maker) make the assignments interesting to you. Our assignments are starting-points, prompts and propositions.

On Perfection
Not every project you make can or will be a work of brilliance. It’s OK. In this class, it is much more important to finish work than to freeze up, because your work isn’t perfect. Get it done and then get some sleep. This class is about developing fluency through practice. When you’re just learning how to speak a new language, no one expects you to make beautiful poetry. Your ability to explore and experiment is a critical ingredient, which means sometimes your work will not look like what you expected. This is okay and part of learning. 

Instructor Commitments 
Be accessible. I will hold regularly scheduled office hours each week. You can find those details on top page of the syllabus. If your academic or job schedule does not allow you to come to my office hours and you are in need of a meeting, please email me so we can set something up.

Quickly respond to emails.  Monday – Friday.

Promptly return grades and feedback.  

Solicit student feedback. I constantly strive to improve my ability to teach. You should feel free to email me your feedback at any time. I hope that you will provide your candid and constructive comments.

Help to provide necessary accommodations. If you have a disability and have an accommodations letter from the Disability Resources office, I encourage you to discuss your accommodations and needs with me as early in the semester as possible. I will work with you to ensure that accommodations are provided as appropriate. If you suspect that you may have a disability and would benefit from accommodations but are not yet registered with the Office of Disability Resources, I encourage you to contact them at access@andrew.cmu.edu.