Exams: You will have two (3) exams. Before each exam, I will give you a study guide to help prepare for the exam. The exam will consists of short answer and/or essay questions. You may bring in one sheet of paper (both sides) with your hand written notes Anyone who brings in photocopied or computer generated ‘cheat sheets’ will automatically fail. You must hand in your cheat sheet with your exam. If you do not you will automatically fail. Each person must find the answers to the questions on the study guide themselves. NO GROUP WORK!!!!!

In addition, the study guide is just a guide. Do not be totally reliant on them. Also, do not be tempted to just quote from the book. You must use your own words or I will take off points.

You must come to the exams on time. Anyone who is over ten minutes late will not be allowed to take the exam. There will only be a makeup exam for someone who gives me advanced (24 hrs) notice. Anyone who is caught cheating will fail the exam and possibly the class. If you have any questions about this, please consult your student handbook or ask me.

Academic Honesty: Academic responsibility and integrity is crucial. If you plagiarize, cheat copy, etc., you will fail the paper and/or possibly the class. Plagiarism is failure to provide proper citations and attribute ideas and quotes to the original source. If you are unclear about what constitutes plagiarism, go to http://www.ccsu.edu/AcademicIntegrity/UndergradAcadMisconductPolicy.htm

Attendance: I do not take attendance. I believe you are old enough to decide if you want to attend class or not. However, you should know that classroom interaction is a learning experience in itself. You cannot possibly learn the material fully by text alone. The materials you will be tested on are a combination of class notes and reading. Do not depend on other people to take notes for you. And do not feel that you need to give notes to people who do not attend class.

Participation: Participation is crucial for the development of this class. When individuals are active participants, the class is more exciting. This requires that you complete the assigned readings before class and are prepared to discuss the readings in class. Do not come to class if you are not prepared. I realize that many of you are shy and feel uncomfortable talking in class. There are other ways of participation: discussion in small groups, asking relevant questions, emailing me, coming to my office hours, etc. Let me know that you are engaged in the materials. You cannot receive participation points if you do not participate (and if you don’t attend class).

Let me be clear: you will be graded on participation. You will not receive anymore than a 75 if you don’t participate. If you don’t come to class, you cannot receive these points. In addition, participation is the determining factor to earn the higher grade if you are in between grades. Be an active participant and come to class!

No Pagers or Cell Phones: All pagers and phones must be turned off for the duration of the class. While cell phone use in public may have become an American ritual, I find it to be rude and inappropriate as they are a huge distraction to the class.

Special Needs: If you require any special needs (academic, physical, or personal) please contact me during my office hours or after class. If an emergency or personal situation occurs let me know ASAP. I am supportive and understanding of most situations (I respect the right to privacy, so details are not a requirement). However, I am not sympathetic to laziness. If I am unaware of your situation, I will attribute it to laziness. Thus, do not wait till the last minute to inform me of a problem. I will only consider ‘working something out’ if you take responsibility for your studies. If you think this will invade a good portion of your schoolwork--I suggest you withdraw from the class or take an incomplete. DO NOT abuse this.

Class Conduct: I try to create classroom environment that is open, yet structured. What do I mean by this? Each of us needs to respect the others in the class. People should be able to speak their minds without ridicule, blame, or attack. But be warned, each individual should take responsibility for what they say. People who are not respectful will be asked to leave the classroom and their grade will be affected by their conduct. If you cannot follow these guidelines, I suggest you find another course to take.

Pet Peeves: Some of my pet peeves are when students arrive to class late or begin to pack up before class is over. So, show up on time and do not pack up before I dismiss you. Also, please do not smack your gum. It’s gross and irritating.

Classroom Visitors I do allow students to bring in classroom visitors. However, please ask for permission to do so. While I understand that students who have children often have some difficulties with childcare, I find this extremely disruptive. Therefore I ask you not to bring children to class.

Anything else? What kind of a classroom environment do you want? Speak up and let us know.

*As always, I reserve the right to alter the content of this syllabus.