Course Description

This class is for anyone interested in improving as a writer. Our focus will be writing about music.
This is not a lecture course; it’s a discussion/workshop. A LARGE part of your final grade will come
from your role as a participant. Your contributions will be important to the success of our class, and you will 
have plenty of opportunities to be involved. If you contribute often, you will be in good shape. If you don’t
like to talk in class or help your peers, you should consider another course - or you should stay in this course
and challenge yourself to develop these skills.  
This class deals with serious issues; you might read or listen to things that will provoke/upset you.
Some of our listening and readings deal with topics that we might call “adult.” So issues of sex, violence,
death, and profanity etc. If the thought of reading and discussing this kind of material makes you uncomfortable,
I understand – but I also think this means you should not take this section.       

Assignments and Points:

We will have a few major assignments at 100 points each, some assignments at 50 points each, some at 20 points each, and
many at 3 or 5 points each. We will also have several minor assignments that are worth zero points; however, you are
still required to do them and will lose points if you do not hand them in.
Your 'Active Participation in Class' grade will be out of 100 points. [Negative participation will count against you.]
The total points available for the class will be between 450 and 600.

When thinking about/calculating your grade, remember that any policy violation will harm your final grade.
Many assignments will be collected but will not receive a number grade. If you do them, you get credit. If you
don't, you get a zero.

  Final Grade Scale:
    A   =  94 - 100
    A-  =  90 - 93
    B+  =  87 - 89
    B    =  83 - 86
    B-   =  80 - 82
    C+  =  77 - 79
    C    =  73 - 76
    C-   =  70 - 72
    D+  =  67 - 69
    D    =  63 - 66
    D-   =  60 - 62
    F     =  59 and below

Note: Please remember that assignments are due on the day listed on the syllabus. If you are absent from
class, the assignment is still due. If it's not handed in when I collect them, it's late. If you won't be in class,
you should give the assignment to a friend and have them put it under my door before class starts.
Most late assignments will not be accepted and will get a zero.
Those that will be accepted will lose points for each day they are late.

University Information:

Academic Integrity
Academic integrity as described in the ECU Student Handbook is a fundamental value of higher
education and East Carolina University. Therefore, I will not tolerate acts of cheating, plagiarism,
falsification, or attempts to cheat, plagiarize, or falsify. If I become aware of academic integrity violations,
I will follow the procedures outlined in the University’s academic integrity policy. Penalties for violating
the Academic Integrity policy include grade penalties up to and including an F for the course. If you have
any questions about my policy or what might constitute a violation in the class, please contact me. Review the
Academic Integrity policies and procedures online at ecu.edu.

Accommodations
East Carolina University seeks to comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA). Students requesting accommodations based on a disability must be
registered with the Department for Disability Support Services located in Slay 138
(252) 737-1016 (Voice/TTY)).

Emergency Weather
In the event of a weather emergency, information can be accessed through the
following sources: ECU emergency notices http://www.ecu.edu/alert or the ECU
emergency information hotline at 252-328-0062.