Course Policies

READING PREPAREDNESS: You are expected to be mentally present at all times during class, which means (among other things) that you need to keep up with the readings. Please complete each reading assignment by the first day of that text's discussion. Typically, with larger novels, I ask that you finish the novel by Wednesday of each week. You are also required to bring all reading assignments to class on the day we discuss that material. This includes novels, short-stories, and critical essays. Failure to do so will count as an absence for that day.

ATTENDANCE & TARDINESS: Excessive absenteeism and tardiness will also negatively impact your grade. I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences, so physicians' notes are unnecessary. You can miss up to three classes without seeing a negative impact on your grade. Beyond that, your grade will be affected. I monitor attendance and tardiness using Canvas, so you can track your record throughout the quarter.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Only assignments originally completed outside of class can be made up for partial credit. Anything we do in class (small group activities, peer reviews etc.) cannot be made up, not even for partial credit. I do not grant any exceptions to this policy.

TECHNOLOGY: I do allow students to use their laptops to take notes in class, but only if the student is unable to take notes manually. Please refrain from using phones, tablets, and computers in class for personal reasons (including: texts, social media, etc.). Failure to observe this policy automatically results in a reduced participation grade.

PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism involves the appropriation and use of someone else's ideas or words as one's own. All definitions, terminology, concepts, and patterns of organization taken from an outside source must be identified and documented in any essay or exam students write--whether it be for this department or any other. Facts of general knowledge (such as the place and date of an author's birth, honors granted during his or her lifetime, the titles and dates of published works, etc.) need not be documented. However, facts that are not in the area of general knowledge must be credited to the source. Ideas, interpretations, terms, and patterns of organization taken from an outside source may be either directly quoted (in which case the exact words should be placed in quotation marks) or paraphrased. For a more detailed summary of how the university defines and deals with plagiarism, please visit this site.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY: Western is committed to equal opportunity and a campus environment free of harassment and discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or veteran status.  If you feel you have been harassed or treated unfairly by either an instructor or another student, please see the website for the Equal Opportunity Office or call (650-3307).

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Western is committed to creating an equitable and non-discriminatory learning environment, which includes accommodating students with disabilities. Requests for accommodation or assistance should be directed to Disability Resources for Students located in Old Main 110; additional information is available at their website here or by phone at 650-3083.