Course Format: Because students learn differently, classes will involve a range of teaching strategies: large and small group discussions, lectures, demonstrations, skits, video clips, guest speakers, and student presentations. Because of this variety, some class activities may be more or less “useful” ways for you to learn material than for other students. Lectures will expand on topics related to the assigned reading but will not repeat the reading.

Writing Expectations: Good writing is a skill required of all educated persons (not just English majors). Carefully edit and proofread your work; a significant number of grammatical, writing, or APA-style errors will reduce your assignment grade.  If you struggle with writing, consult an ASK Center writing tutor or a strong writer friend early in the semester to get regular help.

E-mail Expectations: Please check your e-mail regularly for class announcements, schedule changes, etc.  When writing e-mails to professors, please be professional - include a greeting (e.g., Hello or Dear Professor X), a subject (e.g., question about class today), and a proofread message.  To your professors, e-mail is more formal than IMing or texting. If you have an urgent message (e.g., missing a test because of illness), a phone call is more professional than e-mail.

Exam Policy:  Students are expected to take exams at the scheduled time. Failure to do so will result in a score of 0 unless prior arrangements are made with the professor (in cases of illness or family emergency, documented by Student Services). Excuses such as “I overslept,” “I have 2+ other tests,” or “I’m going home this weekend” will not exempt you from the consequence of a missed exam. Any make-up exams will be scheduled at the professor's convenience and may take a different format than the scheduled exam.

Late Assignment Policy: Late work will be penalized 10% per day (with the “late clock” beginning at class time rather than the end of the workday), until the graded assignment has been handed back to the class; at that point, late work will not be accepted. Excuses such as “I overslept” or “The printer wasn’t working” will not exempt you from late penalties.

Absentee Policy: Merely reading the text or copying a classmate’s notes are unlikely to result in enough understanding for you to be successful in class. Therefore, don’t miss class. When absences are unavoidable, you are responsible for obtaining and learning any material you miss. More than 1 week’s worth of class absences (i.e., 1 night class, 2 Tues/Thurs classes, 3 MWF classes) during the semester will reduce your grade and may be grounds for withdrawal from the course after discussion with the Psychology Department.

Borderline Course Grades: Your instructor reserves the right to adjust borderline final grades up or down in light of your class preparation and participation, attendance, number of late assignments, attitude toward the course, and your willingness to seek help (e.g., tutoring). An “A” is earned by students who do outstanding work that demonstrates excellent writing and critical thinking skills, attention to detail, and work beyond the course requirements.

Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is expected of every student in every course. Plagiarism (using another person’s spoken or written words, graphics, or ideas and presenting them as though they were your own) is one form of dishonesty. To avoid plagiarism, you must put others’ ideas into your own words AND include the author and year of publication at the end of the sentence; you may occasionally use direct quotes, which must include quotation marks, author name, publication year, and page number of the source (this is APA style). “Double-dipping,” or resubmitting all or part of a paper or project created for another class or occasion, is also dishonest. Students who are academically dishonest will receive an “F” for the assignment or test in question and a letter of documentation will be submitted to the Student Life Committee chair.

Dordt Students’ Rights to Assistance or Accommodations Policy: Any student who believes s/he may need academic accommodations or access to accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability should contact and register with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities in the Academic Skills (ASK) Center during the first week of class. The CSSD is the official officer to assist students through the process of disability verification and coordination of appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Students currently registered with the CSSD must meet with her to obtain a new accommodation memo for each semester. Marliss Van Der Zwaag, CSSD, L-168, (712) 722-6490, mmvdzwaag@dordt.edu.

(policies adopted August 2002; revised July 2007)

Page created August 2008