Course Expectations / College Policies:
1. ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend class regularly, and punctually, with
homework prepared. If you miss two consecutive weeks of class without instructor
notification, you will be automatically dropped from the class. (I may excuse a longer
absence for extensive surgery or a similar unavoidable circumstance, but I must be
notified on or before the first date of absence). If you miss any four non-consecutive
classes during the term, I will meet with you to discuss options for continuing or
dropping the course.
2. CLASS ABSENCE: If you miss a class meeting due to an emergency (keeping in
mind that I don’t allow more than four absences), you are still responsible for the
class work you have missed. Follow the syllabus and consult with a classmate to find
out what you need to do for the next class. At the following class meeting, you will need
to bring the work that was due at the class you missed as well as new homework
assigned. You are encouraged to email me for clarification about what you’ve missed.
3. PUNCTUALITY: It is imperative that you arrive on time for class, and that you remain
for the entire class meeting. Leaving early constitutes an absence. For this reason, I
may take attendance both at the beginning and end of each class meeting.
If you are late to class, this will affect your class participation points. Also, if your
tardiness is habitual and / or excessive, I reserve the right to drop you from the
class.
4. PLAGIARISM: The word “plagiarism” comes from the Latin word plagiar, meaning “to
kidnap.” Plagiarism is the undocumented use (kidnapping) of another person’s words or
ideas, and all educational institutions respond harshly to this regardless of whether it is
intentional or unintentional. Copying papers or passages from the Internet, having
someone else write your paper, failing to quote a source and passing the idea off as your
own all constitute plagiarism.
Plagiarism in this class will result in a failing grade for the assignment in question. A
second act of plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the course and a disruptive
student report filed with the Dean of Student Services.
5. LATE WORK: It is crucial that you submit assignments on time so that we can stay on
schedule. If you submit late work, I may not have time to grade it in a timely manner, and
you can expect less feedback. Furthermore, you may not submit more than one
assignment at a time, and I will not accept any written work after the last week of classes.
You must complete all assignments to qualify for credit.
6.
INTERRUPTIONS: All cell phones, pagers, personal music players, and other electronic
devices must be turned off for the duration of class. You may use computers before and
after class, and during any breaks, but not while I am conducting class unless I invite you
to do so. Please notify me if you intend to take notes on a laptop.
7. CLASSROOM CONVERSATION: A good class can feel like a dialogue or a dance—an
exciting interchange between participants. However, when too many people talk at once,
the result is chaos. Therefore, be respectful of your teacher and classmates—do not talk
when I am presenting a lesson or when another student is reading or sharing work
or ideas. Refrain from interrupting unless invited to do so.
During small-group as well as whole-class discussions, please observe the following
codes of conduct:
ACCEPTANCE: Suspend judgment of others as much as possible.
CURIOSITY: Seek to understand rather than persuade.
DIVERSITY: Invite and honor diversity of opinion.
SINCERITY: Voice what feels genuine to you and your experience.
BREVITY: Go for honesty and depth without dominating the conversation.
BOUNDARIES: Don’t feel like you have to share something that might make you or
others uncomfortable.
8. FOOD / DRINK: Since food and drink are not officially permitted, remove all signs of
consumption when you vacate the classroom, or I will have to enforce a formal ban.
9. DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR: I cannot foresee all the potential forms that disruptive
behavior may take, but I can attest that any behavior, tone, gesture, or attitude that creates
tension, fear, or frustration in the classroom may be judged as disruptive, and I will speak
to you about this at the earliest sign, respectfully giving you the opportunity to adjust
your behavior.
Consequences: I will implement the following three steps in response to disruptive behavior.
A. Verbal notification: With the first incident, I will speak with you privately to let you
know my concern, and if possible, help you find strategies to eliminate the issue.
B. Written warning: If the behavior repeats itself a second time, I will file a Disruptive
Student Behavior Report with the Dean of Student Services, Sesario Escoto, and require
that you see him before returning to class.
C. Removal: In the rare event that a behavior manifests a third time, I will be forced to drop
you from the course or issue a “W” or “No Credit” if it is past the drop date.
Tutoring Services:
If English is your second language, you may receive tutorial help at the ESL lab housed in the
Writing Center. The ESL lab offers a variety of lab courses for credit or no credit, and provides
tutorial help with patterns of ESL error depending on tutor availability. If you are a native
English speaker struggling in the class, and you need extra help developing and revising your
essays, I may give you a referral for drop-in tutoring at the Writing Center in Aptos or the
Integrated Learning Center in Watsonville.
Special Needs:
If you have been diagnosed with a disability, please obtain an accommodations request form
from DSP&S or the Learning Skills Office outlining your special needs. If you are interested in
being tested to see if you have a learning disability, contact the Learning Skills Office to set up
an appointment at 479-6220. Testing is now conducted in both English and Spanish.