~Final Words~

Percentage - Points - Grade
94% - 100% 1034 - 1100 A
90% - 93% 990 - 1033 A-
87% - 89% 957 - 989 B+
83% - 86% 913 -956 B
80% - 82% 880 - 912 B-
77% - 79% 847 - 879 C+
73% - 76% 803 - 846 C
70% - 72% 770 - 802 C-
67% - 69% 737 - 769 D+
63% - 66% 693 - 736 D
60% -62% 660 - 692 D-
59% - Below 659 - 0 F

Note that some of the values have changed. For example Essay #2 is now out of 90 points, since the outline was graded separately. Also note that the grades for the finals have been posted. Congratulations to the few of you who got perfect scores! Those that didn't, please make sure you read your prompts carefully and answer them fully in the future. The main thing keeping some of you from a higher score was focusing on how wrong Hough's hypothetical figures for Ernie and Bill's incomes were and not about any of the other values college has to offer. The prompt asked you to look beyond the surface.

I ask you to continue to do that in your future.


Take a deep breath. It's over.



If you would like your work back, or to talk to me about a grade, please send me an email so that we may set up a meeting time for sometime in July.

Finally, whether you hated the class, me, or both, please take a minute and read the below statement. Even if I am nothing but a fool, I too went through college -- not long ago, and perhaps I can offer some advice that you will find helpful. Simply put,
I would like to take a minute to reiterate ideas that I have tried to convey throughout the semester. Please consider these ideas general tips of advice. I am not directing this at anyone. I have seen it many times in my own classes, not just in this class. Although some of the advice may be harsh, or even elementary, this is not meant to offend you; it is meant to help you. I am not trying to be condescending, and I know many of you have heard similar advice over and over again, especially from me, but I want you guys to know how to step it up a bit. This is college. Remember, I want you to succeed beyond just my class, and in order to do that you have to:

Get involved in Your Education!

Here are some simple ways to do that.

Communicate
If you have problems communicate them to the teacher. If that is hard, communicate them to your peers.
+If you do not understand something, ask a question. If you cannot figure it out on your own, do not wait for some one else to ask it, or wait to figure it out on your own later. And definitely do not continue without ever trying to figure it out.
+If something is happening outside of school that is keeping you from doing your work, let your instructors know. Some instructors will not care, but some will be willing to work with you. If nothing else, let them know when you will be absent – preferably before you are absent or the day of the absence (not days/weeks later).
+If you are having trouble understanding an assignment, having trouble completing an assignment, or turning an assignment in on time, you should talk to your instructors in person or at least send them an email (Before it is due!). Even if they do not cut you some slack, they will at least know you are trying.


However, sometimes these people will fail you, so…

Become Self Reliant.
+Find resources for yourself and practice discipline.
+There is such a thing as a stupid question. Stupid questions are ones you can figure out on your own or have already been answered a few times.
+But it’s far better to ask a stupid question and be a little embarrassed, then to be ignorant.
+Remember if you do not understand something, it is up to you to figure out a way to learn it.
+If you cannot get something, it is up to you to find a way to get it – even if it seems unreasonable or unobtainable.
+Teach yourself to self analyze and learn to spot your own errors.
+Check your own work. If you see something that is wrong, fix it.
+Know your own weakness and strengths. Work to make these two things more equal.
+When something is difficult, explore ways that you can fix it on your own. (Do your own research).
+No one will be there to force you to do your homework or come to class. Try to think of it less like Work and more like Working Out. Much like the gym, you are not here to get paid, you paid to be here. The harder you try here, the more value you get for your money.
+Be in charge of your own brain. Do not accept everything you are told. If you analyze what you are being told there will be times where you question what professors are telling you. Don’t be afraid to do your own research, ask other students, other professors, or even the professor him/herself.

Network
Often, you will be the only one you can count on, but when you have the opportunity, reach out to other people. Even a small community can help make both learning and assignments easier.
+Proofread each other’s work (and your own).
+Ask each other questions.
+Use each other’s strengths. You probably do this with your friends all the time. It may be time to do this now with new people.
+Get phone numbers and email addresses of other students, and don’t be afraid to use them when you need to.
+Be someone other people can rely on, but don’t let people rely on you when they offer you nothing in return.
+Talk to professors. They often will be willing to help you – even after you have passed their class. They also come in handy when you need things like letters of recommendation later.

Failure Happens
Not everything always goes according to plan.
+When you fail, it is up to you to fix it.
**Sometimes the teacher is a jerk, sometimes you get sick, sometimes you just mess up, but what ever happens, you can fix it. You just have to be willing to try (I mean really try).
+When failure happens, ask yourself why it happened. Apply your critical lens to the situation, and remember to apply it to yourself as well.
+If you cannot figure out what went wrong, ASK (politely).
+Failure is only failure if you learned nothing from the experience.
+Sometimes people just need more time to master something. Everyone develops at a different rate, and that rate is seldom the four months in a semester.
+Remember that failure is a powerful teacher.

Be Professional
As a student in a university, you are a professional scholar – act like it. But remember this advice is applicable to other professions as well.
+Be presentable.
Even having a professional sounding email address can go a long ways.
+Try to eliminate things that are easy to catch before they become problems.
+Try not to shoot yourself in the foot. And try to make things easier for those above you or evaluating you.
+Take your time, but do not procrastinate.
+Professionals read, and they also read the directions.
+Professionals practice manners and courtesy with their superiors and each other.
+Professionals are always prepared.
+Professionals know their material, but are not afraid to admit when they don’t; but when they don’t, they quickly find out, so that it never happens again.
+And professionals are familiar with the above four sections – especially failure.
**Professionals communicate when they need to. They are self reliant, but they network when they need to. And most of all, professionals fail. The only thing that is different is that when professionals fail, they learn from their failure, so they don’t fail next time.


Now, there is obviously one thing I left out: Fun. Yes, it is actually important to have fun. People actually learn more when they have fun. Also things tend to feel less overwhelming when they are fun. So, when you have an assignment, try to pick subjects that interest you. Do not always take all of the “hard” classes together. Spread them out, or you will fatigue. Make sure you plan some fun into your life, but keep it balanced. Have fun. There is no reason why fun cannot be part of the equation when it is appropriate. As an adult, it is up to you to figure out what that means.


Good luck to all of you in the future.

Sincerely,
Brewster Swanlund

Wrapping It Up

Please remember that all revisions are due in my box in the English Dept by this Wednesday.
Continue to check Turnitin.com, as I will be inputting grades as I finish them.

I will be on campus Tuesday and Thursday, if you would like to come talk to me about something, but please know that I will not have either of the final papers graded by then.
I am also available by appointment, if you need to see me. Or you can send me an email.

It has been a great semester. I hope all of you have learned something. I wish you luck in the future.

The Last Journal

Here is the last reading assignment for the year.
This reading asks a very important question that I think all of you should consider.
For the homework, simply write a response to this article.
It can be as long as you like and as detailed as you like, but there are no requirements.
Just know that the more you consider the question that this reading asks, the more equipped you will be to handle your future.


http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/CutCollegeCosts/is-a-college-degree-worthless.aspx?page=1

Additionally, due the take home quiz and bring that on Wednesday along with a Blue Book.

Note: I have extended the revision due date so that all revisions are due in my box in the department office by 5:00 May 19.

This Too Shall Pass

This weekend you guys should be working on your rough drafts for Essay #3. For Monday, please have two copies of your essay for peer review.

Those of you who wish to turn your paper in early so that you can do a revision should make arrangements to get peer reviewed on your own before you submit it to Turnitin.com.
When you get two people to read your paper you should work on anything they mention. Then when you submit your paper to Turnitin.com, email me their comments so that I see that you took care of this before you turned it in (otherwise you will not get those points for prewriting). Then for Monday you should still bring two copies of your paper, as the in-class peer review should help you with your revision.

As I mentioned in class, here are a couple of articles I came across on the Internet. They are funny and contain some interesting ideas, but they also contain some humorous elements. You are all adults, so you should be able to handle it. If you do not like it, you do not have to read it. There is no response due for this.


http://donmilleris.com/2010/05/04/how-to-not-really-win-an-argument/

http://www.cracked.com/article_18458_6-subtle-ways-news-media-disguises-bullshit-as-fact_p1.html

Final Ouline

I would like everyone to have a final draft of their outline for Essay #3 for Wednesday's class (05/05).

The following Monday (05/10) I would like everyone to have a rough draft of their final essay.
If you plan on turning your essay in early, please conduct peer review on your own and document it. Please, ask me about this if it is unclear.

I will be on campus tomorrow, so if you have questions for me and would like to meet, please send me an email.

Some of you have expressed an interest in meeting on Wednesday. I can meet you before class or after our class but before my meeting at 5:00. Please, send me an email if you would like to meet so I can get an idea of what my schedule will look like.

I may also be on campus on Friday, if that would be better for you.

The End Is Nigh

Hopefully, most of you are prepared for the debates that will be starting next week. If you feel that my making you get prepared was a cruel unnecessary joke, you are mistaken. Know that if no one asked me a question, we would have started the debates today. Now you don't have to worry about them over the weekend.

Also, everyone should have an idea for Essay #3. We will do our workshop for that essay on Monday, as well as begin the debates.
I would like everyone to have a rough draft of an outline for their paper for Monday's class.

Please also continue to work on revisions, reviewing your fallacies, and studying your grammar.
I will be on campus in the afternoon tomorrow. If you would like to meet, please send me an email.

Finding Answers

Work on Essay #3 (you should have topic by now), your revisions, and prepare for the debates!

The only other homework for tonight, other than working on your papers, revisions, and debates, is to look at the comments I have marked on your papers and your homework assignments.

Now, please make some notes on any that you feel are unclear, you need explained, or that you see continue to come up over and over again on your papers. Make sure your make a note of what the comment or correction was, as well as write down the sentence that goes with the comment. Everyone should have roughly 1-3 questions for me at least.

Some comments will be more detailed or specific to your entire text, so these may need to be discussed in a private meeting, but I encourage you to seek answers to anything that is unclear.