Class Conduct

1.  Inappropriate Behavior: I will not tolerate rude or inappropriate behavior.  If I determine your conduct is not conducive to our class climate, I will excuse you from he next class sessions.  If the behavior persists, I will file disciplinary actions.

2.  Grading: There is no grading curve.

3.  Due Dates:  All assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the due date.  Grades for late assignments will receive a 2 pt. penalty for each calendar day the assignment is late (including weekends and holidays).  Exams and presentations are due on the dates indicated and cannot be made up.  If you miss an exam or presentation, you will receive a zero.  I will not accept any late project two weeks after the due date or the week before the final exam

4.  Written Work: All papers must be typed, double-spaced with one-inch margins, using 12 pt. font in MLA format.  I expect your work to possess proper spelling, grammar, and organization.  For your protection, please keep a backup copy of your work.

5.  Complaints/Grade Appeals:  If you want to appeal a grade, you must wait 24 hours before setting up an appointment: I will not discuss specific grades on any assignment the day it is returned.  I will consider only written appeals for grade changes on assignments or exams, and after I review the appeal, we will schedule a meeting about the change you propose.  In this meeting, we will discuss your written appeal and your understanding of the concepts involved.  Please do not attempt to conduct this portion of the appeal via email; you must be willing to talk to me in person.  This policy is not intended to provide obstacles to appeals, but rather is designed to ensure justice to all concerned and to allow you to demonstrate mastery over the topics covered.  Finally, all grade appeals must be made no later than two weeks following the return of the assignment. 

6.  Unique Academic Needs: If you have a physical, psychiatric/emotional, medical, or learning disability that may affect your ability to carry out assigned course work, I would urge that you contact the staff in Disability Services, in Journalism 160, phone 575-6225.  DS will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate.  All information and documentation is confidential.  Please also feel free to let me know how I can help you.

7.  Academic Integrity: You’re too smart to cheat.  Furthermore, I trust you.  However, if you are thinking about it, please familiarize yourself with the proper college policies.  At the minimum, you will receive a failing grade for the assignment.  As a reminder, plagiarism is misrepresenting someone else’s ideas or wording as one’s own. There is no need to cheat.  I’m more than willing to help you succeed in class.

8.  Schedule: We will try to stay to the schedule; however, we may alter the schedule if necessary. If you are absent, it is your responsibility for finding out what you have missed.

9.  Withdrawing: It is your responsibility to withdrawal through our Admissions Office.  Failure to do so may result in receiving an F in this course.