Policies

Attendance

Because this is a discussion-centered course, attendance is required. You get 2 free absences. After that, you’ll lose 1/3 of a letter grade (A goes to A-, A- goes to B+) for each additional absence. At 6 total absences, you will fail the course.

The exception? I’ll excuse absences for religious holidays, official university events with documentation, and illness/medical emergencies with documentation.

If you are going to miss class – for any reason – please let me know in advance. I like to plan ahead. I also worry about you, if you just don’t show up. (You don’t have to share the reason.)

Late Work

This is a project-based course, which means everything builds on itself. We also do in-class activities with all of your drafts. For those reasons, plan to submit your work on time. I will only grant extensions in extenuating circumstances with advance notice.

If you have an excused absence for a day, you'll still be expected to turn in the assignments on time. You should contact me to make arrangements about making up what you missed.

Communication

I’ll communicate with you regularly via email and Canvas notifications. I check my email regularly and will generally respond within 24 hours. 

If you’re going to miss class or need accommodations, definitely email me ASAP to let me know. If you have a more involved question, I invite you to come to office hours or schedule an appointment, so I can give you the most complete response possible.

Finally, I’m a stickler on this one: I expect emails to observe proper email etiquette (greeting, message, signature). It’s just a good habit to develop for professional correspondences. The image to the right includes an example of what that looks like.

Diversity and Inclusion 

It is of utmost importance to me that everyone feels valued and included in this course. Dialogue, even sometimes uncomfortable dialogue, is productive in the classroom. Speech that shuts others’ voices down is not productive and will not be tolerated. If you feel, at any point, that you are being threatened, intimidated, or discriminated against, please, reach out to me. I encourage you to offer constructive feedback on my words/actions, too. I know I bring unconscious biases to the classroom, just like everyone else. I can grow in my commitment to inclusivity with your help.

Accommodations

All accommodations must go through the Sara Bea Center. I do not plan to administer any written exams. If you have questions/concerns about other aspects of the course, I’m always happy to work with you, and/or with representatives from the Sara Bea Center. My number one goal is for you to thrive in this course.

Honor Code

I don't anticipate many issues arising with the honor code, in part because I’m not asking you to do many things that could be plagiarized. But, per the university's recommendation, here's a blurb about the honor code (which I do take very seriously). 

This class follows Notre Dame’s binding Honor Code.  All work you submit must be your own.  Your sources must be properly cited. You can reference course readings by their book or article title.  Outside readings must be cited with a works cited or footnote system.  Direct quotations from others must be in quotation marks. You may not present past work (like from a different course) as if it were new, original work. (That’s called auto-plagiarism). If you have questions about how to attribute your sources, talk to me.

Be advised that, unfortunately, even honest people can act dishonestly under pressure. If at any point you feel desperate and consider cheating, talk to me first. I can help you. 

Student Mental Health

Care and Wellness Consultants provide support and resources to students who are experiencing stressful or difficult situations that may be interfering with academic progress. Through Care and Wellness Consultants, students can be referred to The University Counseling Center (for cost-free and confidential psychological and psychiatric services from licensed professionals), University Health Services (which provides primary care, psychiatric services, case management, and a pharmacy), and The McDonald Center for Student Well Being (for problems with sleep, stress, and substance use). Visit care.nd.edu.