General Instructor Policies - Prof. Nancy Harris

Attendance

  1. Attend class.  If you must miss class, use the web and our schedule to pick up any missed material.  You may not turn in any assignments that you missed doing for credit, but I encourage you to do all of the class activities.  See a colleague and the schedule for missed notes.  Don't apologize for missing class and don't ask if you missed "anything important".  
  2. Extended absences: If you will be out of class for an extended time due to illness or family emergency (several days or more), DO let me know. You may need to document such a situation, but I will try to help you catch up the work. However, realize that this class moves quickly and covers a lot of material. Long absences may prevent you from successfully completing this course during the semester.

Class Format:

  1. Lecture days - The T/Th class sessions will have three purposes:
    1. To apply what you have read about in the reading assignment for the day
    2. To present new material or clarify fuzzy concepts
    3. To work on the parts of the project requiring group interaction.
  2. Outside of class work - This includes completion, homework assignments, individual reading, and meetings with your group to work on project assignments.  There is a lot of reading so plan now to work time into your schedule for that.  Our schedule includes the anticipated chapter ordering. There will also be some labs which will require work outside of class.

Assignments and class notes

  1. Assignments: All assignments should be completed on time.  
  2. Due Dates:  All work is due AT THE BEGINNING of class unless otherwise specified.
  3. Turning in work: For submission of hardcopy (paper) assignments, I will have manila folders with the assignment written on the tab available in class. You must place the documents into that folder. Please DO NOT place work in my physical mailbox, the pocket outside of my door, or hand it to me during class. Electronic assignments will have specific post information supplied. DO staple multiple page documents together.
  4. Late assignments: I do not accept late homework or in class assignments.  The project milestones will have specific late policies and point penalties.
  5. Class notes: Lecture days will consist of both lecture and group activities.  I will post an outline of the day on our schedule prior to class.  Any slides or handouts will also be posted on blackboard or linked to our schedule.

Communication

  1. Gradebook: I will be using Blackboard's On-line Grade Book facility, so you will be able to see what work has been submitted and graded and where you stand at any point in time. You will be graded on an accumulated point system, so you will see that active in Blackboard.  NOTE: An "!" symbol for a grade indicates that you have submitted the assignment electronically, but it is not yet graded.
  2. General communication: I will use Blackboard's Announcements as well as our web site to post important announcements for the course. In case of snow days, problems with submitting assignments, etc, it is your responsibility to check out the announcements. If quick notice is required, I will also send e-mail to your JMU e-mail account. NOTE: Be sure that you verify all announcements about school closing or class cancellation from reliable sources. www.jmu.edu is the official site for any JMU announcements and our web site or Blackboard is the official site for announcements related to this class. E-mails coming from me will only indicate that there is an announcement on Blackboard or the web.
  3. Office hours: My office hours are designed to give you some time when you can get individual assistance with your work. If you find that you cannot make office hours, let me know and we can set up an appointment at a different time. I am also happy to work with you on a drop-in basis. Typically, if my door is open, I am available to work with you. Do not apologize for "bothering me" in my office. That is what I am here for and it is not a bother. I am often available on IM (harrisnl55) especially if you are having problems with assignments. I will also have Skype available during office hours (csharrisnl).
  4. Other contact: Feel free to use e-mail or IM to contact me. If it is not appropriate for what you are asking, I will tell you. Make sure that you receive confirmation of any request that you make via e-mail...if I have not responded, I may not have gotten your request (sometimes spam filters filter out legitimate e-mail and I might not see it right away). Also, requests for assignment extensions should be from your JMU e-mail account. I will not respond to any e-mail except your official password protected e-mail.

Exams and grades

  1. Exams: If you have an emergency and cannot take a scheduled exam, let me know as soon as possible and we will schedule the make-up. You must be prepared to document all such absences.
  2. Exam lateness: If you arrive for an exam late, you will be permitted to take the exam if no one has left the examination room. You will need to finish your work no later than the announced end time for the exam; in other words, unless prior arrangements have been made, you will need to finish the exam with the rest of the class.
  3. Grading appeals: You may find that my grading of an exam question or assignment does not agree with how you think it should be graded. If the problem is a simple calculation error, bring that to my attention on the day the work is returned and I will make the change. If the discrepancy is with how I interpreted your answer or method of solving the problem, prepare a brief (one paragraph or less) argument for why I should award more points and submit it to me with your original work and my comments. This should be submitted no later than the next class period following return of the work.
  4. Grades: Grades are based on your performance and not necessarily your effort. If you try really, really hard, you may still not achieve a good grade. See me if you are struggling.

Miscellaneous

  1. Classroom etiquette: Most students know the classroom ground rules.  Please respect your colleagues and do nothing that is disruptive.  This includes ringing cell phones, texting during class, using your mp3 player during class, and other non course related activities.
  2. Classroom conduct: I like to run an interactive class.  Please feel free to ask questions and request clarification at any time.
  3. Extra Credit: I do not provide extra credit assignments so please do not ask for them. There will be some flexibility in assignments, so if you cannot do an assignment, the penalty for one missed assignment is neglible.   I generally drop 10% of homework, lab assignments, and in-class activity grades collectively.
  4. HONOR POLICY: I take very seriously the JMU Honor Code. Any violation of the Honor Code will be dealt with within that policy.  I do report all violations to the Honor Council either through the informal resolution mechanism or the formal procedure. JMU Honor Council.  All written work must cite any sources used.  And be aware, when I discover a case of suspected cheating, I will always give the students involved a chance to explain what happened or how the work was duplicated.  I never send a case to the honor council without first talking with and investigating the circumstances.  In some cases, the students I have suspected of collusion turn out not to have done anything wrong.
  5. Withdrawal: If you decide to withdraw from this class be sure to do so by the mid-semester withdrawal deadline of October 22. At that point, you will have enough grades to determine whether or not you can successfully complete the course. Be sure to see me if you have any question before that date. I do not give WP or WF grades to students who simply fail to attend class or who ask to drop after the deadline. See me to work out how you can successfully complete the class.
  6. Students with Disabilities: If you are a student with an Access Plan, be sure to share that with me during office hours at the beginning of the class. I want to work with you to determine how I can help your learning and then implement that plan. If you are not documented with a disability, but feel that there is something that I can do to help you in my classroom, please don't hesitate to come see me so that we can discuss your options. If you do not have a formal access plan, but there is something that I can do to help you to learn in this class that is also fair to the other students, please let me know.
  7. Excused absences: Students who must miss class for a religious observance or a JMU sponsored activity and who let me know in advance of the absence will be permitted to make up the missed work. Be sure to see me at least 1 week prior to the planned absence.
  8. Illness: If you are sick especially with a fever...STAY HOME, please.  Most everything for class is posted online and I will help you via e-mail if necessary during your illness.  You will not necessarily be able to turn in late work, but that is part of what the dropped grades are all about.  In some situations, I may give you special permission to turn in work electronically.
last updated - 01/02/2013