CSUN: Academic Classroom, Lab and Campus Policies

Attendance and Participation

Due to the workshop nature of the class, your presence at every class meeting is essential to the good health of your grade. Excessive lateness will also affect your final grade. Please note that attendance is not enough. You will also be evaluated on class performance in discussions and workshops. It naturally follows that your classroom participation hinges on the fact that you have all reading and writing assignments completed by the due date. The following illustrates what usually occurs with numerous absences:

1-3 hours:  no penalty		 7-9  hours:  don't expect a C
4-6 hours:  one letter grade	 10  or more:  fail

Plagiarism

"Plagiarism is the act of using another person's ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source. The word comes from the Latin word plagiarius ("kidnapper")..." from the MLA Handbook, p.21. This is a serious academic offense. Do not kidnap or hold for ransom anyone else's words or ideas without giving credit where credit is due.

Electronic Devices

All electronic devices must be turned off before class starts. If your device interrupts the class, you will be asked to step outside to take care of your business and not invited to return for that class period.

Grading Policy

You cannot pass the course unless you complete all the course requirements: readings, in-class writing, the journal, and all papers and web projects. All work must be submitted on time for evaluation. Late work will be penalized and may be refused.

Papers: Refer to class syllabus for specific paper requirements.
In class timed writings.
Online Journal: Summaries and Responses of all assigned readings.
Participation/group presentations: may include leading class discussion and presentation of final web project where applicable.
Mid-term and final will consist of timed, in class writing.

Grades

Online Journal (including summary and responses)

You will use the MOOmailing *list as an online journal for a variety of purposes, both as a writing journal and a reading log. This will be your place to respond to reading, writing and discussions both inside and outside of class. It is helpful to also keep a "pulp" or paper journal, where you can jot down ideas as they occur. This pulp journal is also handy to use for brainstorming and other class excercises.

MOOmailing *lists have been set up for all classes (a link is provided on each course web page). You will be required to write and post to the MOOmail *list a summary and response for each reading. I will also ask you to respond to each other on the MOOmail *lists.

Each class has one general, "world readable" MOO *list for class discussion as well as an "evaluation" *list, for ongoing evaluation of the teacher, the class, the texts, problems and suggestions. The evaluation *lists are completely anonymous. Your feedback is valuable to me for at least two reasons. It will help me to know where you are having current problems. Your suggestions will also guide how I develop future classes.

JR248 Computer Lab

Students in English 155cmp and English 305cmp will want ot familiarize themselves with the English Department Computer Lab Procedures written and maintained by Linda Overman.

Disabilities

If you have a learning, attention, physical, or psychological disability that may require classroom or test accomodations, please let me know as soon as possible to ensure accomodations are implemented in a timely manner.