Attendance
You need to come to class every scheduled day. Because this is a workshop style class, your attendance is crucial and will affect your grade. Make the most of your education by being responsible and diligent in your class attendance. Don’t be late. Class will always start at the designated time, sometimes with a journal prompt or quiz. If you are late, you will lose points for these in-class assignments. If you are going to be absent from class please let me know in advance. Unless the absence is due to university business (and I receive proper documentation before the absence), you will not be allowed to make up any points for activities done in class on the day you miss. In addition, you must turn in assignments before or on the day that you will be absent.Because this is a T/TH class, by University policy, if you miss more than 6 scheduled classes, a failing grade may be received for the course.
Students with disabilities
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require that VCU provide an “academic adjustment” and/or a “reasonable accommodation” to any individual who advises us of a physical and/or mental disability. If you have a physical or mental limitation that requires an academic adjustment or accommodation, arrange a meeting with me at your earliest convenience (preferably within the first week of class). Additionally, if your coursework requires you to work in a lab environment, you should advise the instructor or department chairperson of any concerns you may have regarding safety issues related to your limitation(s). This statement applies not only to this course but also to every other course in this University.Class disruptions
Turn off all cell phones, pagers, or other noise-making items before coming to class. These devices are not to be used in a classroom setting. If your cell phone rings you will be asked to leave class. Instant messaging, e-mail checking, and web-surfing are also not allowed during class time.Deadlines
All due dates are listed in this syllabus. You will be reminded of due dates well in advance. Assignments are always due at the beginning of class. I do not accept late work. I will return your graded papers/projects within two weeks of receiving them.
E-mail policy
Electronic mail or "email" is considered an official method for communication at VCU because it delivers information in a convenient, timely, cost effective, and environmentally aware manner. This policy ensures that all students have access to this important form of communication. It ensures students can be reached through a standardized channel by faculty and other staff of the University as needed. Mail sent to the VCU email address may include notification of University-related actions, including disciplinary action. Please read the policy in its entirety: http://www.students.vcu.edu/rg/policies/email.htm
Academic honesty
The VCU Resource Guide states: “Virginia Commonwealth University recognizes that honesty, truth, and integrity are values central to its mission as an institution of higher education. “Therefore, it must act to maintain these values, even to the point of separating from the University those who violate them. [The VCU honor system policy] describes the responsibilities of students, faculty and administration in upholding academic integrity, while at the same time respecting the rights of individuals to the due process offered by administrative hearings and appeals. All persons enrolled in any course or program offered by VCU, and all persons supervising the learning of any student are responsible for acting in accordance with the provisions of this policy.”
VCU has recently revised its honor policy. Students should review that policy as described in the VCU Resource Guide, http://www.students.vcu.edu/rg/policies/honor.html. In this class, because coursework will be at times collaborative, particular issues of integrity arise. Students should not copy or print another student’s work without permission. Any material from another source must be credited, whether that material is quoted directly, summarized, or paraphrased. In other words, students should respect the work of others and in no way present it as their own.
You are expected to do your own original work. Whenever you borrow graphics, quote passages, or use ideas from others, you are legally and ethically obliged to acknowledge that use, following appropriate conventions for documenting sources. To borrow someone else’s writing without acknowledging that use is an act of academic as well as professional dishonesty, whether you borrow an entire report or a single sentence. An act of plagiarism will usually result in an F for the course and be reported to the proper university administrators.
In addition to following the basic principles of fair use of others’ work and honesty and forthrightness in crediting the contribution of others to your work, you are expected to adhere to this basic professional principle: treat others with the respect that you would wish them to grant you. "Others" includes the people you work for and with (classmates, instructors, corporations, clients); the people you write to (audiences); and the people you write about.
Classroom conduct
According to the VCU Resource Guide, “The instructional program at VCU is based upon the premise that students enrolled in a class are entitled to receive instruction free from interference by other students. Accordingly, in classrooms, laboratories, studies, and other learning areas, students are expected to conduct themselves in an orderly and cooperative manner so that the faculty member can proceed with their [sic] customary instruction. Faculty members (including graduate teaching assistants) may set reasonable standards for classroom behavior in order to serve these objectives. If a student believes that the behavior of another student is disruptive, the instructor should be informed.” Among other things, cell phones and beepers should be turned off while in the classroom. Also, the University Rules and Procedures prohibit anyone from having “…in his possession any firearm, other weapon, or explosive, regardless of whether a license to possess the same has been issued, without the written authorization of the President of the university..."
See the Faculty Guide for Student Conduct for more information [http://www.students.vcu.edu/rg/policies/conductguide.html]. Certainly the expectation in this course is that students will attend class with punctuality, proper decorum, required course materials, and studious involvement. The VCU Resource Guide contains additional important information about a number of other policies with which students should be familiar, including Guidelines on Prohibition of Sexual Harassment, Grade Review Procedure, and Ethics Policy on Computing. It also contains maps, phone numbers, and information about resources available to VCU students. The VCU Resource Guide is available online or through the Division of Student Affairs.
Participation
Be advised that 10% of your grade is dependent upon on your attendance, participation, and compliance with work schedule. Reading and discussions are what make an interesting learning environment. Your thoughts and opinions are a large part of this course. Also, most projects will be worked on and workshopped during class time. That means that you must be present every day in both body and mind.
Resources
Online tutorials will be posted under readings, but you will be expected to research and learn some software for your particular needs by finding tutorials and resources on the web. Books will also be made available to you by the instructor if applicable. You may also make appointments for individual or group conferences for any project or software concern.
Also, under student-use, images and/or text found on the web is available to you without copyright restrictions. Be aware, however, that this does not hold true if you want your work published outside an academic environment. Creative Commons also has resources available for fair use.
Also, located on the first floor of the Hibbs building is the University Writing Center. I encourage each of you to visit at least once during the semester to obtain help or advice with anything from brainstorming topics to grammar and punctuation. Appointments are preferred and can be made by telephone or in person.
Emergencies
What to Know and Do To Be Prepared for Emergencies at VCU:
1. Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts (http://www.vcu.edu/alert/notify). You’re your information up-to-date.
2. Know the safe evacuation route from each of your classrooms. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in on-campus classrooms.
3. Listen for and follow instructions from VCU or other designated authorities.
4. Know where to go for additional emergency information (http://www.vcu.edu/alert).
5. Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police (828-1234). Report suspicious activities and objects.And...
I am dedicated to your learning, but you must be dedicated as well. Come to class prepared, complete your assignments, participate in class discussions and group work, be respectful to your peers and their ideas and you will succeed academically. Discriminatory behavior based on race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or age will not be tolerated. I am committed to your success and hope this class helps you to become a better writer, thinker and academic.
I will be available in class, during office hours, and by appointment to answer any questions that you may have. Although I welcome your visits any time, I especially encourage every student to visit me at least once during the first two weeks of class. Please feel free to e-mail me or to call me to arrange an appointment.
As a general rule, please allow me at least 24 hours to acknowledge and/or respond to your queries.