Getting Started

Course Materials: CD-ROMs

Archaeology in the News

Class Discussions

Assessments and Grading

Module Overview

Each type of assessment in this class functions differently than the others. Please read this carefully and refer back to it if you have any questions as you complete the assignments for this class. All quizzes, quests and tests are "closed book" (and closed CD!).  Please refer to the first page of this syllabus under “Ethical Conduct” for expectations.

All quizzes, including the Final, can be taken at home, or where ever you are using a computer to complete this course. You do not need a proctor for any exam or quiz.

Orientation Quiz

You will take this quiz after reading the Syllabus and Orientation, so be sure you are absorbing what you read. The quiz consists of 10 multiple-choice and True/False questions, worth 10 points total. This quiz will only be available during Module #1. Please be sure to take it soon after reading the Syllabus and the Orientation (found under “Course Content”). This quiz emphasizes important points in the Syllabus and Orientation and is a good opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with the quiz tool.

Module Quizzes

There is a 20-question quiz for each module.  All questions are multiple-choice with four possible answers, only one of which is correct. You will have 15 minutes to complete each quiz. The two lowest scores will be dropped.

Each Module Quiz will be open for one week: Monday-Sunday. You make take the quiz anytime during the week that you feel ready. See the Calendar for the dates of each Module Quiz. Many students find it helpful to write the dates of quizzes in their calendar or post them by their computer at the beginning of the semester to help them plan accordingly.

Becuase the quizzes will be open for a full week make-ups will only be given in dire need. Please contact the TA if you feel your situation warrants a make-up or retake. Questions and answers will not be released for any reason.

Click here for study tips and a full explanation of the make-up policy.

Whose Mummy Is It? Quests

These "quests" are designed to assess your progress through the Whose Mummy Is It? CD-ROM. There are four quests, containing twenty fill-in-the blank and T/F questions. Each quest covers a specific area of the CD and is worth 20 points.  

If you are unsatisfied with your first score, you will have the opportunity to take each quest up to three times. If you feel an answer was incorrectly marked, please email the TA for an evaluation of that answer (e.g. your answer was "the tomb of tut" and the correct answer was "Tutenkhaman's tomb".

Each Quest is associated with a specific Module and it will be listed with the other materials in the Module, under Course Content. However, all four Quests will be available until the end of Module 6. But be aware that completing them in the Module they are listed is to your advantage.

Extra Credit Quiz (Spring and Fall Semesters ONLY)

There will be ONE opportunity for extra credit in this class. The extra credit quiz will be opened ONLY to students who have 50 points in Discussion, the Archaeology in the News assignment completed, and have taken all Quests. Discussion postings for Module 8 do not count toward this total.

The Extra Credit Quiz is a mini-module, containing information on Religion and Evolution (see Knowledge vs. Faith in the Orientation for details). The quiz will be available one week only, just like a regular Module Quiz, near the end of the semester. Check the Calendar for the exact dates. This is worth 20 points.

Final Test

The final test is comprehensive, with a fairly equal number of questions from each module. The test includes 60 multiple-choice questions, similar to those on earlier quizzes. Questions are taken directly from a bank of questions and chances that you will recognize any are slim.

The final DOES NOT include questions from the Quests or questions from the Egyptian Literature readings (e.g. Ghosts of our Poast from Module 8).

You will have one hour to complete the final test. The Final will be available Monday through Wednesday of Finals Week, allowing you to fit this exam into your finals schedule. The final is worth 90 points.

See Study Tips for helpful ideas in preparing for the final.

Grades

Points are earned in the following manner:

Mid-term Grades

At the end of the 7th week a mid-term grade will become visible on the "My Grades" page. If you need a mid-term grade for an advisor or other purpose, you can print/copy the "my Grades" page. If you need more information, contact the course assistant.

The mid-term grade is calculated thus:

Orientation Quiz+Quiz #1+Quiz #2+Quiz #3+Quiz #4+75 points.

The 75 points are added in the assumption that you will complete the Archaeology in the News assignment, to balance out the scores. They are a good guage of where you stand in the class, but tend to be a quarter grade lower than Final grades (e.g. A mid-term grade might be calculated as a B- and the student earns a B as their final grade.)

To approximate your grade, add up your points and refer to the following:

PLEASE NOTE:

Most assignments are graded liberally (such as the discussions and writing assignment). If you follow directions and get the work done on time, you get 100%. These generous points tend to balance out your quiz and final scores — which tend to be low. (See "Is this class for me" under the "Start Here" link for an average grade distribution.)

**Special note regarding Summer Semester** The class is offered most summers for a 6-week session. Because of the shortned nature of summer sessions, we do not cover Modules 7 or 8 or have an Extra Credit Module. Summer session is condensed and very intense, one Module covered each week.

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