policies
Below are the policies that govern the management of this course. Please read them carefully as non-adherence to these policies can negatively affect your grade. Please ask me if you have any questions; ignorance of the policies is not an excuse for non-compliance.
Attendance
Each student is permitted four absences without penalty. Consider these “sick days” to use as you wish without question;however, be aware that you are responsible for any information that you miss when absent from class. After four absences, your final grade will be reduced one third letter grade for each absence. For example, If your final grade is an “A” and you have five absences (one over the limit) your final grade will be an “A minus”; if you have six absences, your final grade will be a “B plus,” etc.
Exceptions to the above attendance policy will be made in emergency cases. That is, in cases of a death in the family or severe illness, etc. In such cases, students should contact me as soon as possible to determine a plan for completing missed course work. I may ask for documentation in order to excuse absences exceeding the above described four “sick days.”
Late assignments
Major projects: Late assignments will be penalized one third letter grade. Late assignments will not be accepted over e-mail except in emergency circumstances (see attendance section for the emergency policy); late assignments should be submitted in person. Late assignments will not be accepted if submitted more than two weeks (14 days) after the due date. If you know in advance that you might not be able to meet an assignment due date, please discuss the situation with me before the assignment is due so that we can develop a plan of action that will allow you to successfully complete the assignment.
Homework: Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class and have two points deducted for each day the assignment is late.
Academic integrity
Be aware that the following constitutes plagiarism and is grounds for failure of this class and disciplinary action by the university: submitting someone else’s paper as your own; using a phrase without acknowledging its source; using a source without citing it correctly; “padding” a bibliography by making up sources or citing a source you didn’t use in your research. Please see the student handbook section on Academic Integrity for further details. In cases of suspected academic dishonesty, all instructors at CSU are required to forward documentary evidence to the Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct Services. The Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct Services will ensure due process and advise instructors regarding appropriate disposition of the case.
Sometimes it is difficult to determine what is an acceptable use of sources and what is plagiarism. For example, how much information can be considered common knowledge? Or, what is the proper way to paraphrase a source (i.e., put someone else’s ideas into your own words)? If you have questions about plagiarism and proper proper use of sources, please ask before submitting your assignment.
Accommodations
Any student eligible for academic adjustments because of a learning disability or medical condition should contact the Office of Resources for Disabled Students (970-491-6385) for development of appropriate accommodations. I can only make accommodations after receiving appropriate documentation from the Office of Resources for Disabled Students.
