Voices of Democracy

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Critically analyze claims, arguments, artifacts, or information.

• Construct coherent, evidence-based arguments.

• Evaluate key concepts, principles, arguments, and contexts in founding documents of the American Republic, including the United States Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and a representative selection of the Federalist Papers; and,

• Evaluate key milestones in progress and challenges in the effort to form a more perfect Union, including the arguments and contexts surrounding the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Letter from Birmingham Jail, as well as other texts that reflect the breadth of American experiences.

• Critically reflect on your position as citizens of the American democracy and how you can contribute to the creation of a more perfect union.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Weekly Journal Entries	20%
"What American Democracy Means to Me" Statements	20%
Group Reading Presentation	15%
Final Project & Presentation	20%
Attendance & Participation	25%

This course uses an ungraded approach to assessment through a minimalist points-based system designed to emphasize effort, engagement, and growth over perfection or ideological alignment. To support this, I use the following simple grading system for course assignments. 0 - Incomplete: The assignment was not submitted or does not meet the basic expectations. 1- Partial Credit: The work is on the right track but missing key components, underdeveloped, or not fully engaged. 2 - Full Credit: The assignment meets expectations with thoughtful effort, care, and completion. This system is meant to provide structure while encouraging expectations, honest reflection, and engagement. You are not being graded on whether I or your classmates agree with your stance but on your willingness to think critically, communicate clearly, and participate meaningfully. You’ll receive feedback on your work to help you grow. The goal is not perfection or agreement, but meaningful engagement and development.

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
93.0% and above	A
90.0% – 92.9%	A-
87.0% – 89.9%	B+
83.0% – 86.9%	B
80.0% – 82.9%	B-
77.0% – 79.9%	C+
73.0% – 76.9%	C
70.0% – 72.9%	C-
67.0% – 69.9%	D+
63.0% – 66.9%	D
60.0% – 62.9%	D-
Below 60.0%	F

Attendance/Participation:

Students are allowed a maximum of 3 absences without penalty. Each absence over 3 results in a deduction from your participation grade. After a student’s 6th absence, the instructor will hold a mandatory attendance meeting with the student to establish an intervention plan. Students who do not attend the meeting or who do not follow the intervention plan risk failing the course. A student with 7 absences will receive a grade of F for the course.

Students must attend every class, arrive on time with the necessary assignments and course materials, and stay for the duration of the class. This attendance policy does not differentiate between “excused” and “unexcused” absences; it is your responsibility to reserve your absences for unavoidable occurrences, such as illness, work-related events, advising sessions, childcare concerns, car trouble, minor emergencies, etc.

State law requires that students be allowed two absences due to religious holidays; please notify me at least 48 hours prior to your anticipated absence. Intercollegiate athletes should provide official documentation of anticipated absences early in the semester. Absences for religious holidays and documented athletic events will not count toward the maximums described above.

If you have extenuating circumstances such as serious illness, chronic illness, an injury requiring prolonged medical treatment, prolonged psychological issues, etc., you should make your instructor aware of these circumstances as soon as possible and keep your instructor informed until you are able to return to class. You should also contact the Dean of Students Office, which can review documentation and notify multiple instructors on your behalf, especially if hospitalization or distress prevent you from doing so yourself. You should be aware, however, that the Dean of Students Office will not override any individual instructor’s attendance policy and that decisions about whether and how to accommodate students in distress are made by individual instructors. The Dean of Students office is located at 210 Elliott University Center and can be reached at 336-334-5514 or deanofstudentsoffice@uncg.edu.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Students must have reliable access to the internet and Microsoft Suite programs (available for free through the university). Students will be asked to keep a semester-long journal. This is recommended to be done digitally, but if a student chooses, it can also be done in a physical form. 

All reading and viewing materials will be provided on our Canvas page by the instructor and through University Resources. You do not need to purchase materials for this course.