Late Papers and Assignments

Keeping up with the schedule of assignments for this course is important for two reasons. First, most of the assignments involve our shared mission to read, think, and write in community with one another. We build that community by doing our work at shared times. Second, the readings and assignments move quickly, and they will pile up fast if some are missed.

Therefore, I have built deadlines into the grades of many of the course assignments, especially those that contribute to our communal work. I also understand the need for flexibility and communication, so I encourage you to let me know as quickly as possible if you anticipate difficulties in completing an assignment.

Students often struggle to meet deadlines for reasons other than lack of time to complete an assignment. Sometimes they suffer from "writer's block." Sometimes they have trouble getting started because they focus on their own expectations for the finished product and worry that they will fall short of their goals. I would much rather help students through these problems than accept late work.

If you feel overwhelmed by an assignment, see me right away. We will begin by focusing on the purpose of the assignment: to learn new material and improve your skills of writing and communication. With that purpose in mind, we will break the assignment down into manageable daily tasks. I find that focusing on learning in this way helps students feel less overwhelmed and more able to enjoy the learning process. They therefore become more likely to complete their work on time.

That said, I will provide additional time to complete writing assignments in cases when needed due to disabilities or health issues. When disabilities are involved, we will work with the Coordinator for Disability Resources to establish accommodations appropriate for this class.