It is important to note that class participation is expected and encouraged and that it can affect your final grade. It should be obvious that you cannot participate in class discussion without being physically present. After 25 years of teaching, the instructor has witnessed a significant and steady decline in student performance. If, in the view of the instructor, your attendance and participation are unsatisfactory, you may be dropped from class during the instructor drop period. If a letter grade is assigned, it will be significantly downgraded.
Students are responsible for all materials discussed in class.
Since no credit will be given to the student who uses his or her inaccurate notes to support one's answer, you should compare or exchange notes in order to make sure that your class notes are complete and accurate. All exams carry equal weight. The final exam is not comprehensive. As such, luck should play only a small part in determining your performance. You will have to be concise and relatively quick in answering questions.