A Modest Proposal:

Since this class was requested by a small group of students whom I don't want to disappoint, I am proposing the following scenario.   A tier system of grading, with optional participation.

As I mentioned before summer vacation, I won't be giving out any "easy A" simply because you are seniors in your final semester.  Keep in mind that this class is 4 credit hours, and should thus require 4 hours of minimum effort.  I'm not a scrooge, but I'm also not going to be generous.

Since I understand that this class is sort of a "means to an end" for some of you, and might not be so important, I promise a minimum score of 88.5%.  Students who are okay with this don't have to do any of the writing assignments, read any of the books, or participate in the split class discussions.  You can use the time for self-study, and are welcome to watch the films if they interest you.

For those interested in getting at least an 89.5%, I will require some writing and some reading.  At least a minor effort.  It's not too late.

If you want to put in a strong effort, I will gladly record a score ranging from 93-96, with glowing comments in the NEIS System - provided that you write, discuss, and participate sufficiently.

The smaller scale class discussions are now optional, especially if you haven't read. 

NOTE:  For a book like Cuckoo's, I understand if you don't read all of it.  But at least read past the ordinary world and get a feel for the style and the story - which will make watching the film even slightly interetsing if you read even 20 pages. Below are the updated scores.

ALIAS		GW#1	CR #1  Shaw/Book	CR#2  Shaw/B+F	CR#3	CR#4
Amelie		9.2	9.3	9.4
Casablanca		9.1	9.3	9.4
Godfather		9.2	9.3	9.4
Matrix		9.1	0.0	9.2
Inception		9.0	0.0	8.9
Memento		9.2	9.1
Vertigo		9.2	0.0
Chinatown		9.0	9.1
Braveheart		9.2	9.2	9.4
Scarface		9.2	9.3	9.4
Rocky		9.0	9.3
Avatar		9.0	0.0	9.2
Samurai		9.0	0.0	9.3
Graduate		9.2	0.0	9.1
Terminator		9.0	0.0
Notorious		9.2	0.0
Jaws		9.1	0.0
Snatch		9.0	0.0	9.1
E.T.		9.0	0.0	9.2
Rambo		9.2	0.0	9.1
Gladiator		9.2	0.0
Nemo		9.0	0.0
Twilight		9.2	9.1
Slumdog		9.2	0.0
Fargo		9.0	0.0
Jane		9.0	0.0
Nemo		9.0	0.0
Shrek		9.0	0.0
Truman		9.2	0.0