The purpose of this note is to clarify the role of homework assignments in this class. The homework is optional in the sense that if you do not wish to do it, we will not grade you down. Although I highly encourage everyone to do the homework, this year you are not required to do it. Instead, those who do hand in the homework assignments when they are due will receive extra credit toward their final grade for each homework assignment that they hand in. Extra credit could help your grade by as much as one-half of a grade level, e.g., a C+ to a B- or an A- to an A. We will add in the homework scores after everyone's final grades are computed without the homework. Thus, a grading standard will be established without homework. Then, the extra points that people accumulated for their homework will be added in. As the syllabus says, the homework will be weighted at about 10% of your final grade (assuming that you complete all of the homework assignments). Each homework assignment will be graded pass/fail. If you hand in the homework on time and pass it, you will get a point for that assignment. At the end of the quarter we will add up all of the points that you have earned, weight them, and add them to your final score. The more assignments that you do, the more points you will earn and the better your chances of improving your final grade.
To pass a homework assignment you will have to supply a reasoned answer to each question that we ask. We are asking you to show us in your answers that you have thought about the issue. We will not be grading the homework for "correctness." A failing answer to a question such as: "Is justice the same as fairness?" would be "No. These are different concepts. The dictionary defines them differently." To pass, you would have to show us that you have thought about what is meant by justice and by fairness. If you disagree with the text, say so and justify your position. If you agree, say so and tell us why. Again, we want you to use the homework to help you organize your thoughts about the reading material.
The point of providing the homework is twofold. First, the homework goes along with the readings from the book. If you do the homework, you will be keeping up with the reading assignments and not putting off the reading until the day before a test. Second, hopefully the process of trying to answer the questions that we are asking you in the homework will help you develop your critical thinking skills and will help you learn the material in the book.
By the way, if you feel that the goals that we have set for the homework are not being met, I would like to hear from you. You can email me or come to office hours. I do care how much you are learning in this class. What is the point of taking classes, except to learn. Right? Let me know if you are having problems.
Homework assignments can be found in the Syllabus or on the home page for this class.