Course Policies and Logistics

READINGS FOR THE WEEK: The instructor will assume that you will have read ALL the material for the week. The lecture is not designed to summarize the texts you have read, but rather, it is designed to bring the important issues together into a comprehensive reading. You will benefit the most from lecture and discussion if you have read all the material before the week starts.

E-RESERVES: Some of the readings may be categorized under E-Reserves. We encourage students to access all reserve materials through the library online catalog reserver module at:

http://library.ilcso.illinois.edu/uiu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&PAGE=rbSearch

Accessing the material thorough the online catalog reserver module allows students to be aware of any other print or media materials that may be on reserve for their courses. However, the e-reserve portion of the reserve materials can also be accessed at:

http://web.library.uiuc.edu/ereserves/querycourse.asp

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION: The University of Illinois expects students to attend class regularly. (Please read Part 5 of the Student Code to review the policies regarding attendance). You can have up to 2 “sick day” absences without having to explain them. However, we recommend that you save these sick-day absences and use them only in cases of emergency (as for example, a death in the family). With 3 absences, your attendance and participation grade for the semester will drop to a B; with 4 absences your grade will drop to a C; with 5 absences your grade will drop to a D; more than 5 absences your grade will drop to an F. You will be expected to make up the work on your own, and to submit any work that is due on the day you are absent. Please remember that the university's rules regarding academic integrity (Part 4 of the Student Code Academic Integrity apply to your signing the class attendance sheet to register your having attended the class. It is considered an ethics violation to sign in for somebody else since it misrepresents the contribution of the student to the class. Please make sure you sign the attendance sheet, as the instructor will not be able to give you credit retroactively if you have not signed this sheet.

OWING TO THE THE LARGE DEMAND, STUDENTS WHO DO NOT ATTEND DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES MAY BE DROPPED FROM THIS COURSE TO FREE SPACE FOR OTHER STUDENTS WHO WISH TO REGISTER.

TARDINESS: You will be expected to be in class on time since tardiness tends to disrupt the class. If circumstances prevent you from arriving on time occasionally, it is recommended that you use one of your wild-card absences for the semester. Please inform the instructor if there are special circumstances for your tardiness. Late arrivals and early departures will be considered absences, on a 2 to 1 ratio.

LEAVING CLASS EARLY: Occasionally, you may have to leave the class early. Leaving the class early can be as disruptive as being late to class. Because of this disruption leaving class early is counted as being late to class. Please remember to let the instructor know ahead of time.

CELL PHONE & COMPUTER USE IN CLASS. Students will be expected to turn off their cell phones at the beginning of the class. The use of your computer laptop may be permitted in class only when working on in-class writing assignments. Please consult with your instructor regarding computer use for particular assignments.

EXCEPTIONS: Sometimes you may wish to inform the instructor about your need to leave class early or to be absent. Please take into account that these requests are usually made at the last minute, while your instructor may be unable to take time from the class to discuss with you the reasons for your leaving early, or not attending class. These requests will be classified by your instructor as part of your "sick day" absences. Remember that you can have two sick day absences in the semester, no questions asked. If there is a need for you to go above this limit, it means that you need to make alternate plans.

MAKE-UP EXAM: There will only be one make-up, given on the Friday 2 weeks before the scheduled end of classes. This cumulative make-up exam will include all the texts read up until the date of the make-up. Students who are absent during an exam with valid emergencies (death in the family, for example) and who have contacted the Emergency Dean will be allowed to take the make-up exam. In order to send a letter to the instructor, the Emergency Dean will expect students to present valid documentation for the absence the day of the missed exam. After approval of your instructor, you will be expected to take the cumulative make-up at the end of the semester. To be put on the list of people taking the make-up exam, please bring all pertinent documentation (i.e. for a death in the family, please bring card announcing funeral services and the letter from the Emergency Dean).

DISABILITIES. "Any student who believes that s/he has a disability for which an academic accommodation is needed should inform the instructor as soon as possible and/or contact the division of Rehabilitation Services (DRES) at http://www.rehab.uiuc.edu