teaching: undergraduate: COM 478
Policies
Lecture notes: There are no lecture notes or handouts guaranteed for COM 478. Psychologists know that people learn best when using as many of their senses as possible: sight, sound, touch. It is also through repetition that we are able to memorize things better. So, by listening in lectures, keeping your own notes, reading and making notes from the required reading, and discussing things is class, you’ll just keep increasing your remembering – and this will be crucial for your knowledge and understanding.
Special circumstances: Please let me know at the start of the quarter if you have any special reason to be concerned about COM 478 and/or if you can think of anything which you are worried will prevent you from carrying out your studies to the best of your ability. For example, please let me know if you get sick for any length of time, if you are called away from university because of a family illness or death, or if you have any other serious life issues to deal with. These matters are always confidential unless you request otherwise.
Diversity: My intention is to make COM 478 a constructive scholarly space. However, all learning carries risks and challenges - emotional, intellectual and social - and not everyone starts with the same resources and privileges. This is particularly true for students from politically and institutionally marginalized/oppressed communities. If you would like added support or if you have any concerns about social issues raised in COM 478, please let me try to help you. You may also want to make use of campus bodies like:
Disability accommodation: To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please email Disability Resources for Students (DRS). You can also write to them at 448 Schmitz, Box 355839 or telephone them on 543-8924. If you already have a letter from DRS indicating that you have particular access requirements, please let me see the letter as soon as possible. Once again, these matters are kept confidential at your discretion.
Academic integrity and honesty: As you know, plagiarism (copying other people’s work without proper acknowledgement) and cheating are very serious violations of academic integrity and honesty. I assume that, in taking COM 478, you will be following the UW’s policies in this regard – if in doubt, see the Student Conduct Code. You will be asked to indicate for each assignment you submit that you know and have understood the rules concerning academic integrity/honesty.
Make-up policy: Any full credit make-up assignments or quizzes for COM 478 will only be allowed for (a) university-sanctioned events (verification required) or (b) extraordinary special circumstances (verification such as a physician’s note required). Please be advised that vacations, outside work and other personal commitments do not constitute adequate grounds for requesting a make-up assignment/exam.
Disruptive behavior: In order for us to work together in creating a decent learning community, anyone who disrupts lectures or seminars and who prevents others from learning will be asked to leave and/or removed by campus security. Arriving late to class and leaving early are considered discourteous and disruptive behaviors.
Grade appeals: Grades will be made available as soon as possible following the submission deadline. If you have any questions about your grades, please make an appointment to see me. If you want to appeal your grades you must do so in writing. I cannot accept any grade appeal submitted more than one week after the final grades have been posted.