FEEDBACK AND PARTICIPATION

"What you bring to this class is yourself and your desire to participate and what you do in here depends finally upon that." - Paul Baker

   Remember, more than anything, I want you to succeed. You can provide commentary on the course through individual meetings, e-mail or through WebCT surveys. Comments may be used to modify the course. E-mail allows quick comments and the opportunity for me to help you though I'm not physically present. WebCT surveys at midterm let you give anonymous input to indicate questions and problems with the course.

   When in doubt, come see me! Individual meetings during scheduled office hours or through appointments provide face-to-face discussion between us. We'll schedule mandatory individual meetings for each class at midterm. Failure to attend the individual meeting at the scheduled time will result in a 10 percent deduction from your overall grade at the end of the semester. You cannot make up a missed individual meeting.

Japanese Wisdom There is really nothing you must be and there is nothing you must do. There is really nothing you must have and there is nothing you must know. However, it helps to understand fire burns and when it rains, the earth gets wet. Whatever, there are consequences. Nobody is exempt.

   Class participation plays an important part if your grade is on the "borderline" at semester's end. Each one of you are unique, providing a contribution that no one else can make. The only bad question is one that's not asked. If you refuse to talk or ask questions, you will not hold any media job for long.

   In short, I consider class participation the same as showing professionalism, which indicates:

• attention to common courtesies
• an open attitude to learning
• good listening and discussion skills
• making deadlines
• submitting word-processed assignments
• a willingness to take and give constructive criticism
• an ability to discuss all reading assignments by the due date
• respecting others in group project settings, i.e. doing your share of the load without threat of sanctions
• keeping up with current events and discussing the media's presentation — educated students and journalists know what's happening in the world

   Remember: Your grade depends on you completing the opportunities presented in this class in an acceptable fashion. Be responsible for keeping up with your materials. To be sure your assignments aren't lost along with your USB key, send a copy to yourself via e-mail to an off-campus account, e.g. hotmail, gmail, yahoo, etc. By accepting this syllabus, you are indicating that you understand and will abide by the Missed Assignments Policy.

   So what's not excused?

On Punctuality and Attendance     "I value time. To be late for anything is one of the most disrespectful things you can do to somebody else." - former SEC coach Sylvester Croom

• Sleeping in class. You may be here in body, but not in mind; I don't teach the body.
   
• Excessive tardiness. You should always be punctual, i.e. on time as well as in class. Just so you know, you're tardy if more than five minutes late, regardless of the reason. I treat two tardies the same as one absence. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late, you will be marked absent.
   
  
• Routine medical appointments, job or class obligations, computer problems, missed rides, pre-registration meetings and scheduled interviews (for jobs or classes). You know when you need to be here, so don't schedule something during my time.
  
• Electronic Devices.

   If you must withdraw from the course, be aware of University policy and the deadlines. Please consult the Student Handbook and the campus calendar for more information. You must officially withdraw from a class. Students who simply stop attending will receive no credit for unfinished assignments and will be graded accordingly.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

   In writing courses, work often requires use of Microsoft Word. While some basic instruction on the computer will be provided, if you need help go to the The Writing Center.

   In today's world, many of you have cellular phones, iPods, PDAs, Blackberries, pagers, etc. As these items may disturb other students, turn them off or on vibrate during the class period. I understand your need to feel connected, but everyone paid for this class and their financial commitment deserves your respect. The only thing I should see in ears are earrings.

   When I hear an electronic device, I give a pop quiz. By the same token, if my electronic device rings, I give the class a quiz grade.

• You may not listen to electronic devices while in class, nor may you have them - especially ones that can both record and play - while you're taking a test. When caught, you will be asked to leave class and will receive an unexcused absence. When caught during an exam, you will fail the exam and still receive the unexcused absence. NOTE: You may listen to electronic devices with your own headphones during work periods in a lab setting.
  
• Please turn off your cell phone before entering class. You may not talk on your cell phone or text message during class; it's rude. When caught, you will be asked to leave class and will receive an unexcused absence.
   
• Time in the computer lab should be spent on class, especially when class resides in a computer lab. When caught viewing material unrelated to class, checking e-mail or conducting live chat, you will be asked to leave class and will receive an unexcused absence. On the second violation, you will receive an unexcused absence and will not be allowed to return to class until a meeting with the dean of Arts and Humanities and the journalism department chair, i.e. me.

  General Class Polices Index:  ETHICS || FEEDBACK || e-MAIL || WebCT || DEADLINES || ATTENDANCE  || ELECTRONIC DEVICES || ACCOMMODATIONS