Attendance
Because of the collaborative nature of the course and the intensive in-class work required, regular attendance is crucial for student success. Roll will be taken daily. A maximum of four (4) absences are allowed during the semester for T/Th classes (and a maximum of six (6) absences for MWF classes). Students will fail the class upon the 5th absence for a T/Th class (or upon the 7th absence for a MWF class). All absences, including University Excused Absences, count toward the total number of absences. In English 101, as in any of your classes, if serious illness or emergencies prevent you from attending class, you should contact the Dean of Students.
On-time arrival is expected: each tardy will result in a 2-point deduction from your 100-point attendance grade. Your attendance grade will be determined by the number of days you have been absent (0=A+, 1=A, 2=B, 3=C, 4=D, 5=zero and failure of the course).
Make-Up Work
Work may be made up for approved absences on a case-by-case basis. Consultation with your professor must be made in person.
Project Submission Guidelines
Timely submission of all assignments is expected. Any work submitted after the deadline will receive a grade penalty of one-half letter grade. After 12 hours, the penalty will be one full letter grade. After 24 hours, the penalty will be two full letter grades. After 48 hours, the work will no longer be accepted, and you will receive a zero for the assignment.
You will submit many of your materials in PDF format via a shared DropBox folder with your instructor. You are responsible for keeping additional backups of all the work you submit to the shared DropBox folder. Specific submission instructions may vary; always consult the course schedule for details.
Technology
Important announcements, course information, and project directions will be delivered via the course website or by e-mail You are responsible for checking your email on a twice-daily basis so that you stay up-to-date on all information relevant to this course. Follow up any important oral communication with your instructors with e-mail. All e-mail correspondence between instructor and student must be conducted in a professional manner.
Personal Communication Devices
In order to ensure a productive learning environment, you are required to turn off or set your personal communication device to silent contact during class time. Use of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or similar communication device is not allowed during classes unless such use supports class activities. Exceptions to this policy may be considered upon request. All content displayed on mobile devices while in the classroom must be appropriate for the academic setting.
Laptops
Laptops may be used in class but only for class-related activities (e.g., taking notes, completing in-class or group writing assignments). If it becomes apparent you are using the computer for non-class activities (checking your email, playing games, Facebooking, etc.) then you will be asked to turn off your computer and refrain from bringing it into class in the future. All content displayed on laptops while in the classroom must be appropriate for the academic setting.
Academic Integrity
The Council of Writing Program Administrators (CWPA) states that “In an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without acknowledging its source.” The WSU Academic Honesty Policy (based on State of Washington Code) expands the CWPA definition of plagiarism as well as explaining other categories of academic misconduct. As a WSU student, you are bound by these policies and are responsible for being aware of and abiding by them. Students who commit intentional acts of plagiarism will be reported to the Assistant Director of Composition and the Office of the Dean of Students and will fail the class.
WSU Safety Statement
Washington State University is committed to maintaining a safe environment for its faculty, staff, and students. Safety is the responsibility of every member of the campus community and individuals should know the appropriate actions to take when an emergency arises. In support of our commitment to the safety of the campus community the University has developed a Campus Safety Plan, http://safetyplan.wsu.edu. It is highly recommended that you visit this web site as well as the University emergency management web site at http://oem.wsu.edu/ to become familiar with the information provided.
Reasonable Accommodation
Students with Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please either visit or call the Access Center (Washington Building 217; 509-335-3417) to schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor. All accommodations MUST be approved through the Access Center.
Discrimination and Harassment
This class does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a veteran. Alternative viewpoints are welcome; however, statements that are deemed racist, sexist, homophobic, classist, or otherwise discriminatory toward others in the class or outside the class will not be tolerated. Students will be respectful and courteous to each other and to the instructors—in written, oral, and nonverbal communication, both in and out of class.