While I try to remain as objective as possible in evaluating student work, subjective factors inevitably influence my grading. I try to take attempts to go beyond the minimum expected and progress, among other factors, into account. In particular, participation of good quality and efforts to improve can influence final grades in a positive direction beyond the indicated percentages, as inadequate participation or improvement can influence it in the other direction. A final grade of 4.0 (and often, 3.7) requires active and regular participation, as well as evidence of a certain intellectual "spark". If you are ever in doubt as to how you're doing or wonder how you can improve, feel free to confer with me. Risk-taking is encouraged and to your advantage as long as minimum standards for your performance are met. (See also A rendre for an idea of how I grade.)

The following, then, indicates (approximately) how your work will be weighted.

• 3- 4 scheduled longer contrôles (usually given as take-homes): 25%
• several compositions of varying lengths: 20%
• frequent short quizzes (usually unannounced) and graded homework: 15%
• participation: 25%
• Cumulative self-scheduled final exam, taken during the exam period: 15%