Course Policies

ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION (20% of Grade):

Active class participation is strongly suggested and may also determine your final grade in borderline cases. You may be called upon at random to help contribute to the class discussion. You are expected to attend class regularly, to read the assigned texts carefully, critically, and on schedule, and to contribute your questions and insights to class discussions. In addition, you will be given in-class assignments frequently whereby you will be asked to answer course-related questions in small groups during the class period. You will also be asked to complete various projects outside of class, which relate to the readings and discussions. These projects will count as part of your participation.

Therefore, attendance is mandatory and monitored daily. You will be allowed only four (4) unexcused absences. For each day you are absent after four days, your final grade will be lowered significantly. Excused absences must be fully substantiated in writing by a physician or other health care provider. If you are an athlete or if you need to be excused for religious purposes, you must provided a written excuse at least 48 hours prior to your absence. Late arrivals to class will be evaluated negatively.

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT:

If you are suspected of academic misconduct—inclusive of cheating, plagiarism or sharing of ideas in written assignments—you will be called in for a meeting. At this meeting, you will be informed of the accusation and given adequate time to respond. After this meeting, a written report will be submitted to the Dean of Students, who will then decide if further disciplinary action is necessary. Please review Section III of the Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct for a detailed discussion of these procedures and for your rights as a student.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

Adaptive Educational Services (AES) helps students with disabilities receive appropriate accommodations from the university and their professors. Students need to register with the AES office in order to officially receive such services.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN THE CLASSROOM

Portable electronic devices, such as cell phones, pagers, two-ways, and pda's, must be turned OFF before entering the classroom. If you carry around such devices for familial reasons (e.g., children, disabled parent), you must let me know this in advance. Anyone who possesses an electronic device that causes a disturbance in class will be given a verbal warning on first offense and then will be asked to meet with the instructor after class upon further violation.

OTHER RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

This course covers topics that are controversial in nature. It is your responsibility as an adult to "treat others the way you would like to be treated." This means that everyone is to treat each other with mutual respect and attention. Anyone who talks when someone else is talking, verbalizes discontent of an opinion with hostility, or any other breach of college classroom etiquette will be considered to be in violation of this policy. Persons who fail to adhere to this policy will be required to meet with the instructor before returning to class.