I don't even remember a time when I didn't use the expression: "On G.P." There are some things that you just do... ON GP... general principle... it is simply the principle of the thing (the t-shirt to the left is an online company devoted to this notion).
The issues raised on this page should be obvious; these are things you should be doing ON PRINCIPLE. For instance, there will be cell phone policies for this class but these policies should be obvious. There will be times in class when you will need your phone to look up things or share items with colleagues. But you should have enough respect for yourself and your colleagues not to send text messages or check twitter while a colleague is presenting, while you are sitting in a small group, or a demo is being offered during class. You should know NOT to answer your phone and have a conversation OUT LOUD during class. If you have an emergency, remember that you are GROWN: excuse yourself and walk out of the classroom and tend to your business. The rest of us don't need to hear it. All you need is good common sense or some self-respect. If you have friends who cannot leave you be while you are in class and need to text you the entire time w/ expectations of a reply, then you need some new friends, honey. If what they are telling you is not advancing your life and goals in MORE significant ways than your college learning, then you will have some hard times ahead of you because you are not surrounding yourself with people who will BUILD you up--- your peoples will tear you down instead. Learn these lessons now rather than later when your mistakes just become even more costly to you. As for the cutie hollerin at you DURING class, just take it from an older sista: THAT ain't gon last long. Holla back after class; don't confuse your priorities no matter how slap-yo-momma-fine they might be. They can wait too! Yes, you will lower your class grade for these kinds of behaviors in class, but that is the least of your worries. The things you see folk doing in here are the same things they will do outside of here... at work, at meetings--- at least until they are fired. Some things you should be doing and knowing JUST ON G.P.!
This class is not a difficult class but there is a lot of work. If you keep up and stay on the grind throughout the semester, you will do well. The pacing and the assignments are meant to build up to something because it is my job to help you write better; it is your job to do the work assigned. That's the "G.P" of it!
The issues raised on this page should be obvious; these are things you should be doing ON PRINCIPLE. For instance, there will be cell phone policies for this class but these policies should be obvious. There will be times in class when you will need your phone to look up things or share items with colleagues. But you should have enough respect for yourself and your colleagues not to send text messages or check twitter while a colleague is presenting, while you are sitting in a small group, or a demo is being offered during class. You should know NOT to answer your phone and have a conversation OUT LOUD during class. If you have an emergency, remember that you are GROWN: excuse yourself and walk out of the classroom and tend to your business. The rest of us don't need to hear it. All you need is good common sense or some self-respect. If you have friends who cannot leave you be while you are in class and need to text you the entire time w/ expectations of a reply, then you need some new friends, honey. If what they are telling you is not advancing your life and goals in MORE significant ways than your college learning, then you will have some hard times ahead of you because you are not surrounding yourself with people who will BUILD you up--- your peoples will tear you down instead. Learn these lessons now rather than later when your mistakes just become even more costly to you. As for the cutie hollerin at you DURING class, just take it from an older sista: THAT ain't gon last long. Holla back after class; don't confuse your priorities no matter how slap-yo-momma-fine they might be. They can wait too! Yes, you will lower your class grade for these kinds of behaviors in class, but that is the least of your worries. The things you see folk doing in here are the same things they will do outside of here... at work, at meetings--- at least until they are fired. Some things you should be doing and knowing JUST ON G.P.!
This class is not a difficult class but there is a lot of work. If you keep up and stay on the grind throughout the semester, you will do well. The pacing and the assignments are meant to build up to something because it is my job to help you write better; it is your job to do the work assigned. That's the "G.P" of it!
AttendanceYour PUNCTUAL attendance is mandatory. Attendance is taken each class and lateness is marked after five minutes. Almost each class will begin with your colleagues’ presentations. Because ENG201 has higher expectations for professionalism than ENG101, you will be penalized more heavily for lateness and absence. If you are late or absent six or more times, 10 points will be deducted from your final grade/points in the class. This means that you would have to do EVERYTHING ELSE in the class perfectly just for a grade of B.
If you miss something, it will not be repeated for you. Each class agenda is available to you online so if you miss a class, find the date of the class at the course website and look to see what you missed. This is your own responsibility. Please do not email and ask what you missed. 
ParticipationThroughout the course, you will be expected to participate in small group discussions and whole-class discussions. All of this will happen face-to-face and sometimes online. If you are someone who likes to talk and participate in class, make a point of giving others the space to share their ideas. If you are someone who is a bit shy-er and tries to be silent during class, make a point to challenge yourself to lift up your voice and share your opinions with the people around you. Sharing your ideas and questioning peers’ responses are critical to your learning and so participation in class will be also. Participation will be factored into your grade for this course, but participation does not mean runnin’ your mouth all over the place. It is about how you talk to others and, most importantly, how you listen to them. In this class, it will be as impressive, if not moreso, to notice a colleague in class who hasn't talked much and give them the floor than run your own mouth all the time. When we reach that moment in the semester when someone says: "Professor Carmen, Shamika has been wanting to say something for a while now, can we encourage her to do so" (this is an ACTUAL quote from a previous class) and then the whole class moves in that direction, then we are achieving a real collective. That's the kind of participation we are striving for here.
Writing CenterPlease make sure you have visited the Writing Center at least once this semester. When you go, take a draft that you are working on and the assignment (or a laptop, notepad, etc to show it to the tutor using the website.) The purpose is to have someone outside of the class who is not familiar with you or the task and offer feedback--- that's what all serious writers do. The Writing Center is in Room 1.68 in the new building. To call and make an appointment, the number is: 212.237.8569.
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Handheld devicesPlease remember to SILENCE your phones during class and dismiss yourself from the room in the event of an emergency call that you must attend to. You will be trusted to answer only those calls that pertain to emergencies. You will also be trusted NOT to text, tweet, facebook, etc. during class (even in the downtime) and especially during groupwork (plus, all the hotties and honies can wait--- they will still be there when class is over... truss me on this one, been there, done that!... let em sweat you a little, don't give in so easy). Unless you are some kinda world-famous neurosurgeon, ain’t nobody tryna hear that your business is so important that you can’t wait for 90 minutes. Failure to refrain from these behaviors will result in a significantly lowered grade for the class. Think of it this way: if you were at work in a meeting, you would get fired. You can't get fired here, but you can be sure you won't be promoted as someone ready for college.
School SuppliesYou will need to print out your writings for this class. Other than this cost, there is no other cost to you. All materials are at this website.
You need to hold on to every piece of writing that you do in this class since your writings will be included in your final portfolio. If you do not already have a gmail account, get one NOW and create a folder on your google drive for just this class. If your computer crashes or anything like that happens and you don't have the work from the early part of the class, no concessions will be made for you. You will need an email account that you check regularly. You can expect emails from Carmen from one of the following accounts: [email protected] AND [email protected]. You will also need regular access to a computer and the internet since all course materials are online. If you do not have internet access at home, plan to spend a considerable amount of time on campus computers. AccomodationsAll special learning needs will be accommodated in this class by both teacher AND peers. Please see Carmen immediately whenever and if-ever your accommodations have not been met. We will work it out until it gets worked out.
offensive languageRacist, homophobic, sexist language is generally inappropriate for any classroom but moreso here, given what we are studying. Such issues will be addressed seriously so don’t go there.
ConferencesAt some point in this semester, your bright, shining face needs to be lighting up Carmen's office so she can hear how you are doing. Of course, you can come visit and holla atcha girl anytime you want, even after the semester is way over.
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