DON'T. If you DO, I'll react accordingly and swiftly. So, while I certainly encourage helping one another...I fully expect your finished work to be your own. Academic Misconduct is a serious matter and you would do well to read or reread the University policy. Here are short rule-of-thumb definitions:
PLAGARISM is presenting the words or thoughts of others as your own...without giving a reference to who they belong to and where they are from.
CHEATING is taking a "shortcut" in completing your work...copying from another person, using someone else's work as if you did it, having another person do your work.
If you have any doubts about this...any questions at all, then consult your Handbook and/or talk with me.
You are expected to turn in assignments on the DUE DATES indicated. However, if you turn in one late, the penalties are as follows:
-----1 class late = 2% of grade received
-----2 classes late = 4% of grade received
-----3 classes late = 6% of grade received
NO assignment will be accepted after ONE WEEK (3 classes)...a "0" will be given
EXTENSIONS: Some times there are legitimate reasons for needing more time to complete an assignment...and if you find yourself in this kind of situation, then the following will apply: EACH STUDENT IS ALLOWED ONE (1) EXTENSION (good for 1 week). You MUST ASK for the extension before or on the Due Date...either in person, on phone, or via email. If you do not ask, there will be no extension and the penalities outlined above will take affect.
I do not take attendance, per se...but that doesn't mean I don't care if you're here or that I won't know who is skipping class, especially after the first couple weeks. I firmly believe that you'll penalize yourself by missing class...both information-wise and grade-wise...since not all "testable" or "usable" material comes from just the textbook. However, since I'm not your babysitter or your daddy, I expect you to be here every class...because you either want to be or need to be...or even...because you paid for the class. You've signed up for this class and that implies an obligation to yourself, to me, and to your classmates.
Yet, there ARE legitimate reasons for missing class...illness, emergencies in the family, and some work-related instances. If you know in advance you're going to miss, please let me know, preferably via email. If you get sick, don't just disappear on me...let me know what's going on and I'll work with you to keep you current. Work-related realities are tricky...sometimes we're given little choice to do a shift if you want to keep the job...I understand that. However, short of that kind of situation, in my mind as a teacher, class comes first.
However, if I see that cutting class is happening too much, I reserve the right to institute an Attendance Policy from that time forward...don't want to, but will if needed.
As you will come to learn, I Iike to hear from students in class. While some of you will freely speak up, others will be reluctant
to do so. However, I've NEVER equated intelligence with either sound OR silence. I hope we can create an atmosphere in which
everyone will feel comfortable about speaking one's mind. An atmosphere of open-exchange is one thing...a free-for-all competitive
atmosphere is quite another. Mutual respect and common courtesy is expected and anything short of that will not be acceptable.
In this class you are NOT in competition with your classmates in any way. There aren't just so many A's, B's, etc. for which you
must compete. Simply put, if you get so many of the Total Points Available, you'll get the corresponding letter grade...period.
Your classmates are a resource, not a limitation to your own success. Respect each other in this way and
you might find learning a much more enjoyable activity.
This course will NOT be an exercise in rote memorization, recall, and regurgitation. Our FOCUS will be on utlilizing, applying, and connecting ideas and concepts...on understanding and thinking. Evaluation of the Essay exams and the other written work will focus on how well, how far, and how deep your explanations and responses are...how thorough your analysis is, NOT simply how well you can mimic what you read or hear. All the written assignments are designed to be opportunities for you to utilize the concepts and ideas we're covering.
CAUTION: Although all this will necessarily involve your "opinions," opinions are only as good as the information and thinking process on which they are based. Merely stating an opinion, hiding behind one, or merely giving surface descriptions (usually attack or defense) of something is NOT the same as
CRITICAL ANALYSIS. You will be asked to THINK ABOUT the ideas you're exposed to in this course...and then ACTUALLY USE THEM. Thus, the REAL subject matter of this course will...ultimately...be about YOU, not the information in and of itself. Our focus will be on how well you understand your social world and what part you have in either maintaining it as it is or changing it.
Education is NOT something that happens TO you, NOR is it done FOR you. Rather, education (as opposed to "schooling") is you doing to and for yourself...in conjunction with...sometimes in spite of...a teacher.
For myself, as a teacher/student, I will try to do my best. From you, as a student/teacher, trying your best is expected. What this means is that YOU are in charge of and responsible for your OWN education. MY job is to give you every chance to do it. Please do not expect ME to assume responsibility for YOUR education.
For a fuller statement of my philosophy, go HERE.