Course Policies
Professor McCormick
Department of Philosophy
Office Hours, Spring 2009: Mondays and Wednesdays, 12-1 Thursdays, 2-3, and by appointment or email: mccormick@csus.edu
Attendance: Class attendance is mandatory for all of my classes.
In classes that meet 2 or 3 times a week, anyone with 5 or
more unexcused absences will receive a 0 for class participation. In
classes that meet once a week,
anyone with 3 or more unexcused absences will
receive a 0 for class attendance and participation. Everyone is expected
to come to class prepared, having read the assigned materials, and ready to
participate in the class discussions. Everyone who meets these
requirements will receive the full portion of the course attendance and
participation grade. Partial failure to meet these requirements will
result in a proportional reduction of that grade.
If there are emergencies that force you to
miss class, they may be excused in some rare cases. You must notify me that you
will be missing class before it occurs. And I will require evidence in order to
excuse the absence(s).
Being
Tardy: I take roll at the beginning of class and, if necessary, after
the break; students who are late will be counted absent and will miss
assignments, important information, and as a result, will do poorly in the
course. Three tardies count as an absence. Students who leave at the break
will receive half an absence.
Late Assignments: Each student may take one extension on a due paper or question set (but not on any quiz or exam) until the next class period. This is the only extension you will have, so use it wisely. You do not need to inform me when you choose to take your extension. All other late assignments will be penalized one letter grade per day (not per class period.) Assignments turned in after class on the day they are due will be counted late.
Missed Assignments: Be forewarned: A missed assignment will be
entered as a 0 in the grade spreadsheet, and that has a substantial negative
impact on your course grade. Even an F (55 points) has a less damaging effect
on your grade.
Makeup
Policy: There will be no extra credit or make up assignments for any
missed work. The midterm or final exams will not be rescheduled for
anyone—plan accordingly.
Cheating: No cheating of any sort will be tolerated in this course. All sources in papers must be cited and given appropriate credit. The author of any information from the Internet must be given credit; using such information without indicating the source is stealing someone else's hard work and is immoral. Students are allowed to discuss lectures and even assignments with each other, but they must do their own work. Be cautious of sharing your notes and ideas with someone who did not attend class and did not take notes; that person has much more to gain than you do.
Here is the university policy on academic honesty:
The attempt by a student to cheat on an exam or other academic assignment or to engage in plagiarism is a violation of a fundamental principle of academic honesty and integrity and will not be tolerated in the University. Formal procedures exist for dealing with these cases and penalties will be imposed on students who are found guilty of academic dishonesty. In the event of expulsion, suspension or probation, a notation is made on the student’s transcript. Suspension and probation notations remain on the transcript for the life of the suspension/probation. For information, contact the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
All students will be responsible for reading and following the university honesty, plagiarism, and cheating policies. They are posted on the web at: http://www.csus.edu/umanual/AcademicHonestyPolicyandProcedures.htm
Intellectual Property Right Policy. The development of websites and businesses that buy students' notes and papers and resell them to other students willing to cheat has made this policy necessary:
I do not give my permission for any materials presented in my course, including but not limited to lectures, lecture notes, assignments, tests, and handouts, to be sold without my explicit written permission. Those materials also may not be given, or otherwise transferred by anyone who is not currently enrolled in my course to anyone who is currently enrolled in my course. Nor can they be given or otherwise transferred to anyone who is currently enrolled in my course to anyone who is not. They may not be used for any commercial purposes without my explicit written permission. Their use is to be educational and confined to use in my class. Anyone who violates these policies is in conflict with university intellectual copyright policy and will be subject to legal action.
Students with Disabilities: If
you have a documented disability and require accommodation or assistance with
assignments, tests, attendance, note taking, etc., please see the instructor
during the first week of the semester so that appropriate arrangements can be
made to ensure your full participation in class. Also, you are encouraged to
contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (Lassen Hall) for
additional information regarding services that might be available to you.
Laptop policy: Laptops are allowed in my classes. However, they can be a distraction to their users and students around them. Students with laptops should sit in the back of the room. And only class related material should be on the screen.