Honor work Course Policies
Because our work will often be collaborative and on-line, there are important integrity issues. You should not copy or print work from anyone, including fellow students, from the computer without their permission and you should not "jump ahead" by reading hypertext or other responses before you have written your own. After all, you should respect the work of others and in no way present it as your own. In using any resources for papers, whether from printed materials or the Internet, you must give full credit for the work. Ordinarily, that means giving the author, the title of the work, the journal or Web address (if relevant), the date, and for quotations, page numbers.Attendance
For the graduate students:
Whether you physically come to Hibbs 329 for every class is up to you, for some class sessions. However, there are likely to be impromptu conversations about the readings, sometimes involving the whole class but more often small groups of people, especially when an issue arises in the forum that deserves some discussion. It's been my experience, moreover, that people who do not come to make "face-to-face" contact often end up becoming more passive participants, and even failing the course. (You are welcome to break that stereotype, however!). What is NOT optional is your on-line participation, preferably during the class period (unless something serious blocks you from coming on-line at that time occasionally). You should be prepared for each forum, having read the assigned works at least once and prepared a thoughtful though not lengthy posting on each. During the class time, after you've posted your little opus (preferably with an intriguing subject head), you should jump into the discussion of the postings. You can also join the discussion in its evening incarnation, with the teachers. What is important is to be in the discussion when others are "there"--it makes a very big difference, as we are developing our ideas TOGETHER!Teachers:
There will be on-line discussions that you should join between 8-9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, if you cannot join the afternoon one. Perhaps we will also schedule weekend discussion hours. I'm counting on you to e-mail me so we can talk about what will work best for you. You will have your own dedicated Blackboard site for teaching-related discussions and communication.E-mail Communication
Blackboard is set up so that you must establish and use your VCU mail account. Even if you have another account, it would be best if you use your VCU account through http://webmail.vcu.edu for all class communications. It is possible to forward your VCU mail to another account, if you prefer. You should, of course, check the account at least daily, since that is our primary means of communication.
Disabilities
If you have any disabilities which you feel could be a negative factor in this course, please let me know and we'll see what we can work out to make life a bit easier for you.