1) Workload/Effort Expectations: The courses I teach are primarily intensive reading and writing courses designed for Criminal Justice majors. You should spend at least 6 hours per week on preparation, review, and study of the course materials. I expect you to come to class on the first day of a learning module having read the materials outlined on the syllabus for that section. The purpose of class time is to review the material you have read and to offer an opportunity to ask questions, discuss topics, and forge insights into the materials you have reviewed. While short lectures are sometimes necessary to develop a topic fully and offer additional information to you, there will be very little prolonged lecture about the materials in your text. I expect you to have read the material and therefore will not waste precious class time reading from the text. Our ability to explore the material and for me to help you understand the sometimes complex academic material requires you to come to class having carefully read the material. Failure to read the texts assigned or to fully complete any assignments required for in-class discussion are viewed as disrespectful to me and your colleagues.
2) Attendance: Students who attend class generally do better than individuals who do not attend class. CLASS ATTENDANCE IS EXPECTED. I will take roll 10 times during the semester. You may miss 2 of these roll calls without penalty. If you miss more than 2, your course grade will drop by 10 percentage points for each additional absence. If you are late to class and miss roll, you will be counted absent. Most of my courses are discussion-oriented. Your failure to attend will harm your grade in two distinct ways: inability to complete the in-class assignments and your lack of exposure to the lectures and discussions. You are responsible for all material missed. I will not provide copies of notes, PowerPoint presentations or other materials. If you must miss class, contact fellow students for the class notes and any handouts utilized on the day of your absence. I will meet with you to address your questions only after you have reviewed the class notes. You will also have to approach me should you miss class time. I will not be responsible for ensuring you are caught up with class activities.
3) Grading Guidelines: Grading of objective aspects of exams, assignments is fairly straightforward. However, it is important for you as a student to understand how I grade essays and short answers. When I grade essay answers you EARN points - you do not LOSE points. You start every essay with a zero (not 100) and points are added based upon what you include on the exam.
In many cases it is appropriate to show me you have considered a point or perspective by including a reference or citing the point using the author’s name – Lizotte, Thornberry, Piquero, etc... Use the required course reading materials in answering the question.
Many questions require you to "agree" or disagree" with a stated perspective or position. Make sure that both your position (e.g., I agree) and argument in support of your position are clear and well focused. Rely on the readings, class materials or other academic sources to design your answers. An exam is YOUR opportunity to show me what you have learned from the readings and class discussions. Consider the questions and then form a cohesive argument and highlight your critical points. Use the active tense. First and last paragraphs matter a great deal – one sets the direction and the other offers the papers primary conclusion. When I grade essays and papers I read to determine whether it answers the question(s), uses (appropriately and accurately) the course experience (class discussions, readings, videos, exercises, etc..) as a scholarly foundation for the answer, and whether the answer is logical, reasoned, and presented well. This includes grammar, punctuation, and writing style. Essays are formal and should be presented in that manner. Be aware of your writing style and organization. Do not simply regurgitate material – think about your answers and form a concise, clear essay or answer.
4) Late Work:
a. Exams: Students are expected to show up for exams at the scheduled time period. Individuals arriving after the exam is handed out will not be given additional time to complete the exam. Students who miss exams may make up the exams at the discretion of the instructor. Only well-documented, emergency circumstances will warrant a make-up exam. Make-up exams may be provided in an alternate format than the original exam and must be scheduled within one week of the missed exam.
b. Journals (if assigned): No late journals will be accepted without instructor approval.
c. Research papers/projects: Papers/projects are due at the beginning of class on the date indicated on the syllabus. If a student is unable to make it to class, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure a hard copy (typed, stapled) is submitted. Papers/projects may not be submitted via email. Each day that a paper or project is late reduces the available points by 10 percent (For example if a paper is worth 100 points and is handed in one day late, the best possible grade available is 90 points.) Late papers and projects are only accepted for a maximum of 3 days beyond the due date. After that point, students failing to turn in the paper/project will receive a zero for that assignment.
d. The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this policy based on situational circumstances on an individual case by case basis. Students who foresee being unable to be in class on a given date should see the instructor prior to that date to make arrangements to take exams, hand-in assignments or handle other responsibilities. There is no guarantee that you will be allowed to hand in an assignment late.
5) Paper/Project Format: Please see instructions for each particular project or paper for specific details. I evaluate grammar, punctuation, citation style and content in grading your papers or projects. Formal writing projects are expected to be written in APA format and require proper citation and writing style. All papers/projects must be typed and stapled if multiple pages. All elements of a project or paper must be handed in together, unless otherwise instructed. Email submission is not allowed unless indicated on the syllabus or if specific permission of the instructor is given.
6) Cell Phones, Laptops, Recording Devices: Cell phones and other electronic devices may not be used in class. Do NOT text message during class. You will be asked to leave class if I see you texting during class. Turn off or silence all cell phones, pagers or other electronic devices upon entering class. Recording of class lectures and discussions is not allowed without instructor approval. See me if you wish to record the class. You may only use a laptop in class with my permission. See me if you wish to use a laptop in class.
7) Email: Email is considered formal communication. I usually check email between the hours of 9:00 am and 6:00 pm. I will respond as quickly as is possible to emails within that time period. If you have questions about class, materials, or other types of discussion better suited to in-person meetings, please see me during office hours or make an appointment.
8) Students with Disabilities: Any students seeking classroom accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are required to register with the Disability Resource Office (DRO). The DRO is located in Tyler Hall, Room 34. The phone number is 831-6350. To receive academic accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper DRO forms and meet with me at the beginning of the semester.
9) Class Cancellation Policies: Anytime the University cancels classes, we will obviously not hold our class session. If at anytime you are unable to make it to class because of inclement weather or an emergency, please contact me via email or my office phone (831-6161) to let me know you will not be in class. If I have to cancel class, I will request that the Department make a posting on the door and I will email you all as soon as I know class will be cancelled. Adjustments will be made to the schedule should we miss class periods. Your patience with these adjustments is requested.
10) Academic Integrity: I take academic integrity very seriously. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the University’s policy regarding standards for academic integrity. Cheating, plagiarizing, and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students will be required to work alone on all course requirements. Any violation of the University academic conduct policy can and will result in a grade of “F” for the course, as well as, formal referral for a conduct board hearing. The Radford University Honor Code states:
"I do hereby resolve to uphold the honor code of Radford University by refraining from lying, from the stealing or unauthorized possession of property and from violating the standards of student academic integrity."
I expect students who have enrolled at Radford University to understand that by doing so they accept and have chosen to abide by the Honor Code. Below I have written detailed descriptions regarding these infractions. Read these carefully and ask questions if you are confused about citation, giving appropriate credit or usage of sources. Failure to ask questions or confusion over policies will not excuse infractions.
Cheating
Any conduct during a program, course, quiz or examination that involves the unauthorized use of written or oral information, or information obtained by any other means of communication.
The buying, selling or theft of any examination or quiz prior to its administration.
The unauthorized use of any electronic or mechanical device during any program, course, quiz or examination or in connection with laboratory reports or other materials related to academic performance.
The unauthorized use of laboratory reports, term reports, theses and written materials in whole or part.
The unauthorized collaboration on any test, assignment or project.
Lying
The deliberate misrepresentation by words, actions or deeds of any situation or fact, in part or whole, for the purpose of avoiding or postponing the completion of any assignment, duties, test or examination in a course, internship or program.
Plagiarism
Literary theft, in any writing assignment: using others’ words or ideas without consistent, correctly formatted acknowledgement. This includes sources the student knows personally-friends, other students, relatives, etc., as well as all text, Internet, and other sources. You must cite all materials used in any assignment you complete for my courses. APA is the required format for internal citation.
11) Class Discussion – Your Ideas, Opinions, Etc..
Every student in this class has the right to share his or her opinion or perspective in this class. You must be open to critical and academic discussion on topics that you may or may not agree with. I will treat you with respect, and I expect you to extend respect to me as well as to your classmates. I expect you to share your well-thought out ideas and comments in class. Your disagreement with the texts and with opinions/views shared in class is expected and welcome. However, that disagreement may be questioned. This is part of the academic dialogue that I encourage in each and every class that I teach. Having said that – there will be issues, topics and discussions in this course that may make you uncomfortable. Look over the syllabus – if there are topics which you disagree with because of religious, personal or political reasons and you feel unable to discuss views/opinions or read perspectives that are counter to your own personal opinions, please consider an alternate course. In order to fully investigate and examine these topics, it is necessary to consider a topic from all sides. You will be expected to read materials assigned, discuss topics outlined and complete assignments on these topics. If you will be unable to do so, because of personal objections to these viewpoints, take another course.
12) Suggestions for Academic Success
COME TO CLASS!
Attendance is the best way to ensure you do well in this course. Come to class prepared with an open mind and enthusiasm for being there.
COME TO SEE ME!
Any confusion over the material or expectations can be quickly cleared up if I know you are having a problem. If I don’t know you are having trouble, I cannot help you. I wish that I were psychic – but I am not. I need you to tell me that you need help.
READ THE ASSIGNED TEXTS!
I choose the material for class carefully and truly believe you will benefit from reading it. Having said that, I will not spend valuable class time regurgitating the textbook material. Class time is designed for us to work through the material – to discuss, analyze, critique, and understand the material.
DO NOT PROCRASTINATE ON ASSIGNMENTS!
Most of the assignments/projects/papers I assign have multiple parts or require library resources. Waiting to organize and complete these assignments may mean that you rush through the most important parts. Many of the assignments utilized in this course require you to think about material that you have read or to analyze several texts. This requires time and commitment on your part and is not something you can do overnight. If you are confused or aren’t sure how to begin an assignment, please see 2) above.