We won't have quizzes this semester. Instead you will write for me a set of three annotations.
I borrow this term from Dr. Wallingford. He writes quite poetically about the students in Master of Fine Arts programs. He points out that writers write essays, articles, poems, whatever. The way you get better is to write (a lot), all along paying attention to elements of the craft that you can do (better).
For all its differences from creative writing, software development shares a number of similarities with artistic disciplines. For example, in both software and writing, most people who earn a living in the discipline "do the thing" rather than talk about it. They design and write programs. The way that you get better is to design and write (a lot of) programs. More importantly, while doing so, you pay attention to elements of the craft that you can do better. In fact, the principal reason for using a studio format for the course is to give you plenty of opportunities to discuss with me and each other what you are doing while you are doing it, so that you can learn during the doing.
Another way will be for you to write a set of short essays called annotations.
Three times during the semester, I will assign to you a topic for your next annotation. I'll give you about a week to write your essay. I'll read them before our next class meeting, so that I can return them to you then. In that next meeting, we'll discuss your ideas.
Assuming that you turned in the original annotation on time, after you receive the "graded" essay back, you can resubmit it at a later date for a new grade. This means that you can take the feedback I give you, along with the results of any discussion we have in and out of class, and improve your essay. You could even write a new essay from scratch. If you do, I'll accept the new essay and replace your older grade with the newer one. You can do this at any time up until the regularly scheduled final exam. At the end of the semester, you will have completed 3 annotations worth 50 points each, for a total of up to 150 points of your course grade.
Again, this resubmission policy only exists for annotations which were originally submitted on time, and for which you have received an original grade. That is, you can not save up all of your annotations until the last week of class and claim that you are resubmitting annotations for which you originally received a zero.
Annotations should be type-written, and should be submitted in hard format (printed) in class on the day they are due. Resubmissions may be made at any time, but should also be made in hard format.
| Annotation # | Due Date |
| Annotation 1 | Wednesday, March 12th |
| Annotation 2 | Tuesday, April 8th |
| Annotation 3 | Tuesday, April 22nd |