Missed Class Synthesis
This is an optional make-up assignment for a missed class available after you have used your “budget” of 2 free unexcused absences. Please take a moment to review the syllabus guidelines on attendance before proceeding.
A Missed Class Synthesis must be high quality work, and must be either Meets Expectations (2) or Exemplary (3) to compensate for an additional unexcused absence.
Deadline
You may submit a maximum of 2 Missed Class Synthesis assignments during the semester, and they must be submitted before the next scheduled class immediately following your absence. This deadline is to ensure that you participating as close to real time as possible and that you’re fully ready to rejoin us.
For multiple absences, this rule still applies. For example: If you miss a Tuesday and a Thursday (a full week of class), the synthesis assignment for the missed Tuesday would be due before Thursday’s class, and the assignment for the missed Thursday would be due before the next class, usually the following Tuesday.
If you miss one Tuesday or Thursday class, your assignment should cover all of the week’s readings. However, if you miss two classes in a row within a single week’s reading assignments, your second Missed Class Synthesis of the week must synthesize the previous week’s readings as well.
Instructions
Each Missed Class Synthesis should focus on the reading(s) assigned for the class you miss. For. It should be a minimum of 500 words written using the assignment template in the Google Classroom assignment, and as always must rely on your own reading and writing (no AI tools) and type directly into the document (no pasted text).
Do not simply summarize the texts. The Missed Class Synthesis must demonstrate deep engagement with the text to “make up” for the missed class time. Surface-level skimming will result in the assignment being returned unassessed with the option to revise within 1 week.
The template has three parts you should complete, a reading analysis, an evidence assessment, and a synthesis section.
Reading analysis
In your own words, state the the problem statement (PS) and the central argument(s) (ARG) of each reading.
Evidence assessment
In your own words, summarize each of the 3 most important points of evidence the author uses to support their argument for each reading. For each point, be sure to explain
- what the evidence is,
- how it supports the argument, and
- include a key quote that expresses the point with a page reference.
Synthesis
In 250 to 300 words, synthesize all readings assigned the week of your missed absence. If there is only one reading, or you have already synthesized the readings for a previous absence, you need to synthesize the current week’s readings with the previous week’s. The goal for each assignment is to write a new synthesis of different combinations of readings, not to duplicate your work. Please email if you have any question about which readings to cover. Here is what to include:
Your synthesis should identify a specific point of intersection between the texts, something they share, perhaps agree or disagree on, or that together help with understanding.
Develop this intersection point with close reading from each reading. Integrate elements from each text into a coherent discussion of your own, developing your ideas about how they connect and work together. Focus on the evidence you assessed, though you might also bring in problem statements and/or arguments. Be sure to include page references as you paraphrase quotes and summarize data from each text
Explain the significance of these connections, the “So What?” question. What new ideas can you develop by using both readings together? How can these ideas be helpful in thinking about our course topics and the broad concern with understanding how China environs? What new insight or question we must ask about China’s environment? Where you end is open, though it must be something new and with some explanation of why it is significant to us now.