Positive Psychology
Fall 2014
Course Expectations
The following expectations and guidelines will help students and faculty alike to take
full responsibility for their work this quarter. We will abide by the TESC Social Contract
and Student Conduct Code, and we will work together to create and maintain an
effective learning community. We will commit ourselves to meeting these expectations
throughout the quarter, including revisiting or adjusting them as necessary.
Student Responsibilities:
Commitment to learning. I expect that you will give your all to the program
throughout the quarter, consistently striving to move beyond your current
understandings, assumptions, and skill levels. In both small and large groups, you
will come fully prepared, participate to the best of your ability, articulate your
positions with care, and generally show your commitment to the process of inquiry at
the heart of the program.
Focused attention. You are expected to give your full attention to all program
activities, eliminating distractions that keep us from thinking and communicating at
our best. For example, you must silence and stow cell phones and other electronic
devices during class (unless otherwise allowed), and refrain from whispered side
conversations during discussions, lectures, and films.
Full attendance. I expect you to attend all class meetings unless you are truly
prohibited from doing so. Absences from class (including late arrivals and early
departures) are allowable only if you have a compelling reason. Good examples: family
emergencies, infectious illness, truly inclement weather, and unavoidable travel for
your job. You must notify me of such absences by e-mail or phone, preferably in
advance of class but in any case not later than the following day. Because class
participation is a critical and irreplaceable aspect of our work, more than one absence
will likely result in a reduction of credit. Note: this rule does not mean that you have
an “allowance” of one day that you can choose to spend elsewhere; you are always due
in class.
Effective use of class time. We will start class on time; the hours go quickly and we
need to make the most of them. You will be expected to come promptly to order when
requested, to return from breaks and small-group work at the appointed time, and to
request assistance if situations arise that keep you from using your meeting time well.
Additionally, I expect that you will each be mindful of how often and how much you
participate in small and large group seminar. Please allow time for those developing a
voice to have some space in the conceversation, and be judicious about your input so
you are not dominating the discussion.
Keeping current. You are responsible for keeping up with all scheduled activities and
assignments, and for ensuring that you are aware of all expectations that I have
communicated in class or in writing. Check both your Evergreen e-mail account and
the program’s Moodle site regularly for posted assignments and handouts, links to
required or recommended reading, and program updates. If you miss class, you are
expected to contact a fellow student to find out what happened in class and what work
is due for the following class.
Meeting deadlines. The ability to plan ahead and to meet deadlines is a highly
practical, and highly valued, skill. The submission deadlines for your assignments are
firm; if you miss these deadlines, you risk a reduction in credit. If you anticipate a
problem meeting a particular deadline, contact me as soon as possible, before the
deadline passes. If you are having persistent difficulties with deadlines, your seminar
leader will help you to resolve the problem.
Academic integrity. Plagiarism—the presentation of someone else’s writing or unique
ideas as one’s own—is a serious form of academic dishonesty and a violation of
Evergreen’s Social Contract. If I determine that a student has knowingly falsified his or
her work, I will refer the situation to Evergreen’s grievance officer for resolution. If the
problem recurs or eludes resolution, I will ask the student to leave the program.
Effective conflict resolution. Occasionally interpersonal problems can arise in a
program that directly affect a student’s attendance, morale, or quality of work. If you
are experiencing a difficulty with one or more fellow students, you must refer it to me
promptly. If you have a concern about or disagreement with me, it is your
responsibility to contact me directly and seek a resolution (see “Faculty
Responsibilities” below”). If this course of action proves insufficient, the academic
dean—in this case, Sarah Ryan—stands ready to help.
Open communication. If you have concerns or questions about the program, share
them with me immediately. I am eager to hear your thoughts and suggestions and, as
appropriate, act on them—which I cannot do if I don’t hear them until Week 10.
Similarly, you should request help from me if you are having difficulties outside of
class that are impeding your learning or enjoyment of the program.
Confidentiality. Over the course of our program, you and your classmates will write
about all sorts of things, some of them sensitive. The writing that you share and hear
in class is confidential—not to be shared with others outside the program—unless the
writer clearly indicates otherwise.
Faculty Responsibilities:
Preparation and facilitation. I will do my best to facilitate the highest levels of
learning for each student and for the group as a whole. This responsibility includes
generating accurate calendars and agendas, maintaining a challenging but reasonable
work load for students, communicating clearly both verbally and in writing, coming to
each class fully prepared, using class time effectively, and giving full attention to each
activity.
Accessibility. I will check my e-mail on a regular (daily) basis during the school week
and respond promptly to requests for assistance or for information that cannot be
obtained easily from other sources (e.g., fellow students, program materials, the
Moodle site, or appropriate Evergreen offices).
Responsiveness. I will respond thoughtfully to students’ written submissions and
return them in a timely manner. I will also remain open to students’ suggestions and
requests, and to altering the schedule or approach if it seems in the best interests of
the program.
Fairness. I will strive for fairness and balance in my assessments of students’
performance and will refrain from comparing students with one another. I will
cultivate a respectful and unbiased approach to resolving interpersonal problems or
concerns, including those that involve my own interactions with students. Finally, if I
share my personal opinions in class, I will clearly identify them as such.
Fifth-week warnings. During the fifth week of class I will contact, in writing, any
students in clear danger of losing credit and arrange to discuss possible remedies. The
lack of such a notice does not guarantee that students will receive full credit for their
work in the program.
Protecting privacy. I will deal with all student information and issues in as
confidential a manner as possible. In keeping with the Federal Educational Rights and
Privacy Act (FERPA), I will not disclose information from your educational record
without your explicit permission, except in rare instances where the Act may require
me to. Similarly, I will not share your writing or other program work with others
without permission.
General support. In addition to the specific responsibilities outlined above, I pledge to
help you in whatever ways I can to settle into your studies at Evergreen; to connect
with other sources of information, guidance, and support at the college; and to clear
away obstacles to your learning.
***
Both faculty and students understand that complying with these expectations is a
condition of continued participation in Positive Psychology.
KEEP THIS DOCUMENT AT HAND FOR QUICK REFERENCE
THROUGHOUT THE QUARTER!
REALLY!