Contact Information
Ryerson University of Toronto
Email: akislenk@ryerson.ca Email: arne.kislenko@utoronto.ca
Phone: 416-979-5000 ext. 6206 Phone: 416-946-8973
Office: JOR 510 Office: Munk Centre N 213
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) Please note that I do not have scheduled office hours after May 1. I may be available by appointment.
2) Please note that you are welcome to come see me about your essays or any other matter pertaining to your course. However, to appeal an essay grade you MUST follow the guidelines below. There is also a formal appeal route involving the chair and Dean's office which you can follow once you have exhausted this route. Further details are available through the Ryerson website. You are welcome to ask me about this appeal process as well.
* PLEASE read this carefully. Understanding and following the format for enquiries and appeals will make everything much easier for you as well as me.
* You MUST re-read your entire essay– NOT just the comments made by the marker. Specific references will be made throughout your work so it is critically important you have read these before coming to see me.
* If you have questions or concerns, or wish to contend the grade, you MUST come prepared. This is best done by carefully considering all the comments given on your assignment and then writing out in brief why you disagree. Specific references to your work would be useful. Please keep in mind that your work is evaluated on a number of important issues/factors, including the quality of research; the level, precision, and logic of your argumentation; citations and referencing; and of course grammar, spelling, and syntax. There is no “formula” for marking on these grounds, but rather everything is considered as a whole. Consequently, as brilliant as your research or analysis may be, weak grammar and spelling will adversely affect your overall grade.
* You may bring your brief statement or summary to me during office hours to discuss matters. If you wish to pursue an appeal, the assignment goes first to the marker (i.e. a TA if not me). If he or she is persuaded by your case, they can change the grade as they see fit. If he or she is not persuaded by your appeal they will inform me that the grade stands.
* In either case, you can then request that I review it. I am happy to do so, but keep in mind one essential condition: the grade can go up, stay the same, OR GO DOWN if I mark it. This is designed to prevent those tempted to “grade shop” while simultaneously ensuring that those with legitimate questions or concerns can pursue an appeal. You are strongly encouraged to appeal if, after reasoned and calm review of your assignment, you remain convinced that it has been unfairly judged. You should take responsibility for your work right to the end, and also hold us accountable to review it fairly and thoroughly. We are all adults, and it is my intention to make sure the entire process is civil, respectful, and as objective and scholarly as possible.
* Please take careful note of my office hours (above) and of the fact that all grades must be submitted by May 4.
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3) Thanks to all those who came out for the Alternative Spring Break photo gallery and information session. If you are interested in geting involved with the ASB next year, please contact me or Danielle Dye or Andrew Doudnikov at ASB@ryerson.ca
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4) Thanks to all those who came out to the International Issues Discussion (IID) series this year. We had some great events and look forward to even more next year. If you would like to get involved with this student led forum, please contact me.
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5) Our travel club BackpACS will be up and running for September 2009. In the meantime, please check out our website at www.backpacs.ca and keep travelling!
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