Disclaimer about materials:
A note about course materials (readings, films, etc.): Some materials deal with mature subject matter that might make some students uncomfortable. Students who are not easily offended or who feel able to deal with emotional discomfort for the purpose of learning are welcome in my courses. Note, also, that university work typically entails encounters with materials and ideas that some may view as offensive in some way. It is impossible for any one person to anticipate every way in which a member of a learning community will respond to any given stimulus. As a professional, I promise to do my best to select materials that offer significant learning opportunities, and to explicate the learning outcomes that I hope for through the use of such materials. You have a right to know why you are doing the work that I assign, and I have the responsibility to make my goals clear. Your responsibility is to try to work through whatever discomfort or confusion or even offense that you might feel in order to learn as much as you can from the experience. I recognize students' responses--cognitive, emotional, and evaluative--to be valid. Ultimately, however, I ask you to recognize that stressing your mind makes it stronger, just as stressing a muscle makes it stronger. Also, please recognize that I do not necessarily like or agree with materials that I present. I present them only because I think that they offer learning opportunities. Please do not assume that I advocate a point of view represented in the materials that I assign.
Grading policies:
Keep a copy of all submitted work. No extra credit or paper re-writes will be permitted except as noted, but I will gladly assist you with your work. In-class exercises cannot be made up for any reason because the group interaction is irreproducible. Late assignments will be accepted only in extenuating circumstances that could not have been anticipated, and only as specified; penalties will apply as specified. Keep all graded materials; Interdisciplinary Studies majors will need them for their senior capstone portfolio.
In accordance with University policy, I give Incompletes only if you are passing the course and attending class to within two weeks of the end of the quarter, and then only in extenuating circumstances that can be proven.
I am very strict about deadlines, for two reasons: (1) I have very limited grading time, and late papers make it hard for me to return graded papers in a timely manner; and (2) I want everyone to have exactly the same amount of work time for the sake of fairness. Please do not put me in the position of trying to decide arbitrarily how late is "late." Take responsibility for getting work to me when it is due, not ten minutes, two hours, or a day later. Rest assured that everyone is being treated equally.
One more note about grades: I know that students often need to juggle school, work, family, and other obligations. I never second-guess students' priorities, and I never think less of students who choose to devote more time and effort to one of these other obligations rather than to an assignment or the course as a whole. I respect the maturity of students who establish their priorities, make difficult choices, and accept the consequences of those decisions. Also, remember that your grade is based solely on my professional assessment of the quantity and quality of your work, not on your effort or on my opinion of you as an individual.
Academic integrity:
IMPORTANT: I insist on academic integrity. You are responsible for
understanding all aspects of University regulations regarding
academic integrity. Breaches of academic integrity, including but not
limited to cheating (e.g., copying another person's work or
obtaining examination answers in a dishonest manner) and
plagiarism (i.e., using another person's words or ideas
without proper acknowledgment), whether intentional or
accidental, will result in a zero for the assignment or examination;
additional sanctions may be imposed by the University administration. Note that
American rules regarding plagiarism might differ markedly from those in other
countries. You can find more information in the University Handbook and in the
document, "Avoiding Academic Misconduct" <
Disability accommodations:
If you believe that you have a disability and would like academic accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services at (425) 352-5307 or at
rlundborg@uwb.edu. After an initial intake appointment, you should be prepared to provide documentation of your disability in order to receive assistance. See <http://www.uwb.edu/students/services/dss/index.xhtml> for more information.Laptop policy:
I do not permit laptops in my classes because they have proven to be a significant distraction for the user and the user's neighbors. You may use a laptop computer during class only for taking notes for this course with prior permission from me . Please do not use your laptop to work on other courses, check e-mail, or engage in other distracting activities. I reserve the right to revoke laptop permission if it is abused or if it distracts me or other students.
Keeping assignments:
Interdisciplinary Studies majors and Environmental Science majors must keep all graded materials (papers, presentations, etc.) from all of their courses--with instructors' feedback--until they have completed their senior capstone course (senior seminar, senior thesis, or senior capstone experience). They will need those materials to complete the senior portfolio.
This page last updated June 20, 2008.
