Idaho State University is committed to equal opportunity in education for all students, including those with documented disabilities. If you have a diagnosed disability or if you believe that you have a disability that might require reasonable accommodation in this course, please contact Dennis Toney, ADA & Disabilities Resource Center, Room 123, Graveley Hall, Phone No. 282-3599. University policy states that it is the responsibility of students to contact instructors during the first week of each semester to discuss appropriate accommodations to ensure equity in grading, experiences and assignments.
IN IDAHO FALLS: Room 223 Student Union Bldg. Stop by to fill out forms and to schedule an appointment with Todd DeVries.
DON'T. If you DO, I'll react accordingly and swiftly. So, while I certainly encourage helping one another...I fully expect your finished work to be your own. Academic Misconduct is a serious matter and you would do well to read or reread the University policy. Here are short rule-of-thumb definitions:
PLAGARISM is presenting the words or thoughts of others as your own...without giving a reference to who they belong to and where they are from. For an excellent detailed and straight-talk presentations on it, go to Plagiarism or Plagiarism.
CHEATING is taking a "shortcut" in completing your work...copying from another person, using someone else's work as if you did it, having another person do your work.
If you have any doubts about this...any questions at all, then read the College's Academic Misconduct Code and/or talk with me.
You are expected to turn in assignments on the DUE DATES indicated.
IF YOUR CLASS MEETS TWO DAYS PER WEEK:
-----1 class late = -7.5% of grade received
-----2 classes late = -15% of grade received
IF YOUR CLASS MEETS ONE DAY PER WEEK:
-----One week late = -15% of grade received
---------1-3 days late via email or in Mailbox = -5%
---------4-6 days late via email or in Mailbox = -10%
IF YOUR CLASS MEETS THREE DAYS PER WEEK:
-----1 class late = -5% of grade received
-----2 classes late = -10% of grade received
-----3 classes late = -15% of grade received
IF YOUR CLASS IS A 4 WEEK SUMMER COURSE:
-----1 class late = -5% of grade received
-----2 classes late = -7.5%% of grade received
-----3 classes late = -10%
-----4 classes late = -15%
NO assignment will be accepted after ONE WEEK for any class (a "0" will be given).
EXTENSIONS
Some times there are legitimate reasons for needing more time to complete an assignment...and if you find yourself in this kind of situation, then the following will apply:
-----EACH STUDENT IS ALLOWED ONE (1) EXTENSION
(Regular Semester = 1 week).
You MUST ASK for the extension before or on the Due Date...either in person, on phone, or via email. If you do not ask, there will be no extension and the penalities outlined above will be applied.
I will take attendance every class by passing out a sheet with your name on it and a place to sign-in next to it. This is an "honor system"...please don't sign in for anyone else. If you come in late, it's your responsibility to find the sheet during or after class (it will probably be on my table). If you come, sign in, and then leave shortly thereafter, that will be noticed and made note of by myself. If you have to leave early, please inform me of that...as a matter of courtesy...and so that I won't interpret it erroneously.
But more to the point, this Attendance Policy is designed to encourage and possibly reward attendance rather than to punish. In other words, you can't lose points by missing, but you could possibly gain points on your Total by good attendance. If you are close to a higher letter grade, a good attendance record could result in bumping you up to that next level.
I believe that regular attendance is important...both for learning and for better grades. I'm not just a "textbook teacher," class lectures and discussions are very important. But even more, there is an implicit responsibility to each of your classmates to be there and participate to some degree. Most of us know that it can be discouraging when numerous people don't show up...please take your enrollment in this class serious...not to mention someone's money being spent for it.
Finally, I know there are valid reasons for missing class now and then. Illness, child-care problems, and transportation difficulties come to mind quickly. But, having to work is NOT a valid reason in my view...if work gets in the way, why are you enrolled in a class that conflicts with work? If you are going to miss, please email me or telephone. If you are very, very sick, don't just disappear...let me know about your situation. In short, play it straight with me and I'll do the same with you.
As you will come to learn, I Iike to hear from students in class. While some of you will freely speak up, others will be reluctant
to do so. However, I've NEVER equated intelligence with either sound OR silence. I hope we can create an atmosphere in which
everyone will feel comfortable about speaking one's mind. An atmosphere of open-exchange is one thing...a free-for-all competitive
atmosphere is quite another. Mutual respect and common courtesy is expected and anything short of that will not be acceptable.
In this class you are NOT in competition with your classmates in any way. There aren't just so many A's, B's, etc. for which you
must compete. Simply put, if you get so many of the Total Points Available, you'll get the corresponding letter grade...period.
Your classmates are a resource, not a limitation to your own success. Respect each other in this way and
you might find learning a much more enjoyable activity.
This course will NOT be an exercise in rote memorization, recall, and regurgitation. Our FOCUS will be on utlilizing, applying, and connecting ideas and concepts...on understanding and thinking. Evaluation of the Essay exams and the other written work will focus on how well, how far, and how deep your explanations and responses are...how thorough your analysis is, NOT simply how well you can mimic what you read or hear. All the written assignments are designed to be opportunities for you to utilize the concepts and ideas we're covering.
CAUTION: although all this will necessarily involve your "opinions," opinions are only as good as the information and thinking process on which they are based. Merely stating an opinion, hiding behind one, or merely giving surface descriptions (usually attack or defense) of something is NOT the same as
CRITICAL ANALYSIS. You will be asked to THINK ABOUT the ideas you're exposed to in this course...and then ACTUALLY USE THEM. Thus, the REAL subject matter of this course will...ultimately...be about YOU, not the
information in and of itself. Our focus will be on how well you understand your social world and what part you have in either maintaining it as it is or changing it.
Education is NOT something that happens TO you, NOR is it done FOR you. Rather, education (as opposed to "schooling") is you doing to and for yourself...in conjuction...sometimes...with a teacher.
For myself, as a teacher/student, I will try to do my best. From you, as a student/teacher, trying your best is expected. What this means is that you are in charge of and responsible for your OWN education and MY job is to give you every chance to do it. Please do not expect ME to assume responsibility for YOUR education.
For a fuller statement of my philosophy, go here.
You can turn in assignments in class or via e-mail. Unless arranged specially with me, emailed assignments must be received by classtime, just like hard copies in class. In other words, emailing assignments is not a substitute for turning material in on time.
If you choose to email assignments...send as an attachment to socshop@yahoo.com. However, you can also send your assignment in the body of a regular email. I'll reformat if necessary...and print out the material.
In Pocatello, if you turn in a hard copy outside of classtime, please take it to the Sociology office (3rd floor of Liberal Arts Bldg.) and someone will put it in my Mailbox.
In Idaho Falls, take it to Room 204A CHE and put it in my Mailbox there.
This provides security for you and for me.
