My Policies

Course Objectives : This course is an introduction to, and an exploration of, XHTML* and related technologies. The largest portion of the course will be devoted to the structure of XHTML itself, but we will also explore the following elements of Web Publishing:
  • Audience and Purpose
  • Visual Media & First Impressions
  • Page Layout
  • Web Design (vs. Page Design)
  • Graphics and Multimedia
  • Forms, Tables
  • Scripting
  • Dynamic HTML
  • XML
* Note that XHTML is the modern language for designing Web pages. XHTML was created in 1999 to replace HTML. However, most people still refer to "HTML," even when they are talking about XHTML.

Grading Policy :
Component Points
Assignment 00 (free points!) 5
8 assignments @ 8 points each 64
"Attendance" 16
Mid-Term Exam 10
Final Exam    10
Total 105
Additional Credit (as I concoct it) TBD

Grading Scale :
Total Points   Grade
0  -  59  =  F
60  -  69  =  D
70  -  79  =  C
80  -  89  =  B
90  -  100  =  A
above 100  =  A
Attendance : Students are required to contribute WEEKLY to the WebCT Message Board. Some weeks, I will ask pointed questions, or direct you in some activity that requires a followup answer. Timely answers to these questions/directions will fulfill the weekly "attendance" obligation and add to your attendance grade (up to 6 points out of 16). I will also grade your posts to the message board on the following criteria:
The number of messages you post (more is better) : 6 points
The helpfulness of your posts (to other students): 4 points.

If you go two weeks in a row without posting to the message board, I may send you a warning via Atlas email. Anyone who "misses" three weeks in a row (or two weeks in a row twice during the semester) may be removed from the class for non-attendance. Please see my Faculty Initiated Withdrawal policy for related information.

The attendance grade will be handed out twice: 8 points at midterm and 8 points at the end of the term.

Grading Curve : There is no curve. All extra credit points are extra. If you get 80 points in this class, you get a B—even if someone else in the class gets 190 points. (S)he gets an A, and you still get the B.
Makeup Policy : Assignments CANNOT be made up. However, assignments can be turned in late (within one week of the original due date) for less than full credit. See "Late Assignments Policy" below.

Late Assignments Policy :
  1. Assignments tend to be due on Monday nights at 11:55 (five minutes before midnight).
  2. Assignments that are not submitted by that time will lose 4 points. (-4)
  3. On the WebCT Message board, we will discuss assignments that have been turned in. Among other things, we will discuss deficiencies in the assignments—reasons why I will probably take off points.
  4. Students will have one week to correct or improve their assignments. You can raise your grade during this time.
  5. One week after the due date, I will review your assignment for changes/improvements. If you have not turned in the original assignment by one week after the due date, you will receive a zero for that assignment. If you have not turned in the revised assignment, you will lose two points on that assignment. (-2)

If you foresee trouble with a particular due date, and you alert me well in advance, we can try to make alternate arrangements. (Often, "alternate arrangements" will mean an alternate assignment.)

If you experience difficulty uploading an assignment, email me. If I can confirm problems with Valencia's network, I'll let the due date slide a bit for the people who sent the email.

Don't stop trying to upload, however. Many network problems are repaired after 30 minutes or so.
Faculty-Initiated Withdrawal :

In addition to other remedies, I reserve the right to remove from the class any student who does not communicate with the class.

Most weeks during the semester, I will pose a question on the message board under the topic, "This Week's Discussion." Think of this question as "roll call." If I do not receive a reply from you within one week, I will send you a notice of excessive absences.

If another week goes by without an explicit answer to my question, or if you fail to reply in time to a second roll call, I may remove you from the class without further notice.

Responsibility : You are responsible for your own work. Please understand both halves of what I am saying here:
  • you must perform all your own work, and
  • you will remain responsible for any repercussions of your work.
syllabus school policies