CLASSROOM POLICIES AND GUIDE TO STUDENT ETIQUETTE

-Dr. Taylor-

Updated: January 7, 2006

Academic Honesty. Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated in this class. As per the “Standards of Conduct” in the Undergraduate Bulletin students will be disciplined if they engage in academically dishonest activities.

I am especially concerned with plagiarism on written assignments. Sloppiness is not an excuse. The use of someone else’s work is both stealing (from the original author) and lying (to me by presenting someone else’s work as your own). If plagiarism occurs, the student will be assigned an “F” for the course. Plagiarism simply will not be tolerated.

I will be utilizing a number of tools, including Turnitin.com, to check for plagiarism.

If you are unclear on the concept, please note the following definition from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (available via http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary)

Main Entry: pla·gia·rize
Pronunciation: 'plA-j&-"rIz also -jE-&-
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -rized; -riz·ing
Etymology: plagiary
Date: 1716
transitive senses : to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own : use (another's production) without crediting the source
intransitive senses : to commit literary theft : present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source
- pla·gia·riz·er noun

Also, I would recommend the following sites for information on avoiding plagiarism

Avoiding Plagiarism by Sharon Williams

Plagiarism Q&A

Americans With Disabilities Act. Any student whose disabilities fall within ADA must inform the instructor at the beginning of the course of any special needs or equipment necessary to accomplish requirements for this course. If you are in need of assistance, please contact the Adaptive Needs Program (Wright 226/670-3220 or 3221).

Attendance. To learn the material, it is necessary to be in class. Hence, daily attendance is assumed. However, it is the student’s responsibility to attend class, so while roll will be taken, no penalties will be assessed for absences.

To encourage attendance and to reward those who faithfully attend class, there will be a 3% extra credit award added to the final course grade for all students who have perfect attendance (defined as missing no classes whatsoever—excused or not).

Deadlines/Due Dates. I am very serious about deadlines. When an assignment is due on a certain date at the beginning of class, it is due on that date at the beginning of class. If you are tardy to class, points will be deducted (typically one percentage point per minute). If your paper is late (i.e., anytime after class) then your paper will not be accepted.

If you know ahead of time that you will be absent on a due-date, you must turn the assignment in early. Only verifiable circumstances will warrant an excuses late paper (along the same lines as the absence policy above).

If you send your assignment with someone else (for example, you fall ill and your roommate acts as a courier) you are still responsible to make deadlines.

I am willing to accept e-mail submission in WordPerfect or Word formats-but all deadlines remain in force (remember: e-mails are time and date stamped). If you submit via e-mail I would recommend sending it to me a little early so that I can send you a confirmation in advance of the deadline. Let’s just say that the ol’ “it must’ve gotten lost in cyberspace” excuse ain’t gonna cut it.

Incompletes. A grade of incomplete will only be issued in the event of extraordinary circumstances.

Participation. Students are expected to participate in class and all students should feel free to express their thoughts and ideas as they pertain to class. Depending on a specific class, you may be graded on your contributions to class (or lack thereof).

Review Sessions. Often I will schedule review session prior to exams. Review sessions will always be in a Q&A format. I expect questions–if there are no questions, or very few questions, at a particular review session I reserve the right to cancel subsequent review sessions. Remember: these sessions are for your benefit and you only get out of them what you put in!

Talking in class (or anything other than paying attention). I would greatly appreciate it if students would refrain from whispering to one another or passing notes. It is distracting to me and to your colleagues. If you need something repeated, no matter how trivial you think it may be, by all means raise your hand and ask me. Students are always encouraged to ask questions in class. If I am in the middle of lecturing, simply raise your hand and I will be more than happy to take your question. Classroom discussion is always welcome. Also, if you need to do homework from other classes, read the newspaper or any other non-class related activities, I would prefer that you not come to class at all. Also, naps are much more enjoyable on the sofa at home–it is really quite uncomfortable to sleep in those desks!

Tardiness. Please be on time for class—it is the polite thing to do.