Assessments and Pre-Assessments

Assessments. There will be three non-cumulative assessments (i.e. tests) worth 160 points each. These assessments will consist of 40 fill-in-the-blank questions worth 4 points each, with a menu of possible answers. The Chapters posted on line highlight all possible answers for each Assessment—these are bolded key terms ("Terms, Places, People and Things To Know")—with the questions based on information drawn from the reading assignments and the information provided in these Chapters. Assessment credit may not carry over from one Section to another.

Poetic Figures Exercises. During each Section we will study poetic figures (e.g. simile, irony, synecdoche, etc.) and students will turn in at the time of each Assessment examples of the poetic figures which they have encountered in their assigned reading for that Section. These poetic figures cannot have been noted in any of the course materials on line. For the First Assessment, students will present FIVE (5) examples of poetic figures in The Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer's The Iliad and Sappho's poetry. There can be no more than two citation of the same sort of poetic figure (e.g. no more than similes), and all figures must be quoted, cited according to line/page number, with the poetic figure named and diagnosed (see handout). Students may turn in extra examples, up to five more, to ensure they get full credit. The same is true for Sections 2 and 3, except that TEN TO TWENTY (10-20) examples worth up to 40 points are required for Section 2, and FIFTEEN TO THIRTY (15-30) examples worth up to 60 points are required for for Section 3.

Pre-Assessments. Students also have the opportunity to earn points toward Assessment credit by providing correct answers on Pre-Assessments, short quizzes consisting of fill-in-the-blank questions worth 2 points each, with no menu of possible answers. Answers will be based on the assigned reading for each class, focusing on important characters, terms, places, quotes and things noted in the course packet. Incorrect spelling may warrant only partial credit. Pre-Assessments will be administered at the very beginning of each class, as a way for students to demonstrate their preparation and punctuality to class. There will be no make-ups under any condition for those who are late or miss the Pre-Assessment administered on any given day. Points gained on Pre-Assessments will be added to the total points earned on the Assessment concluding each Section of the course, up to a maximum of 160 points. Thus, the Pre-Assessments constitute a sort of bonus credit, the only such credit available.