Requesting an Excused Absence

The university has a set of defined procedures designed to ensure fairness to all students in obtaining an "excused absence." I abide by these procedures as adapted for the special circumstances of this course.

On normal class days no excused absences will be authorized.

When you are absent on days when assignments are due or exams given, you will need to request an excused absence. University policy requires that you do so in writing and "provide documentary support for [your] assertion that absence resulted from one of the [approved] causes"(emphasis added). There are thus several obligations if you are going to be absent.

Notify me as soon as feasible of your upcoming or recent absence and provide documentation for the reason. I am serious about prompt notification. In general you should notify me before your absence. When that is not possible, you need to notify me as soon as you are near a telephone or email. I have voice mail and email that provides a time-stamped documentation of your notification
You need to request the make-up (an excused absence) in writing specifying the reason for your absence. The university has a limited number of legitimate reasons for absence and these are the ones I accept.
You must document the validity of the reason you have provided for the absence. Such documentation must be signed by an person who testifies to the reason, and should contain information on contacting (phone or email) someone who can verify the reason. Medical excuses must be from licensed medical personnel, must contain contact information for that personnel, and must indicate a condition requiring absence not simply that you were seen by medical personnel. Please note that it is now the policy of the University Health Center to no longer provide documentation of illness. Thus, if you are ill enough that you need to miss an exam or assignment due you will need to find medical personnel that will provide such documentation.

Since the abstracts are primarily designed to assist in your preparation for discussion and discussion cannot be made up after an absence, and since documenting absences as the University requires for make-up is too complicated for the value of the assignment, I will use an alternative: I will collect abstracts seven times during the semester (grading your best five). Abstracts not handed in when I collect them cannot be made up. If you prefer the documentation requirement to this method of make-up, please notify me within the first week of class.

Late Papers and Incompletes

Papers are due at the beginning of class on due dates. Papers handed in after that hour will have a grade assigned but no comments made on them. If you have not handed in the paper by the last day of class, or if you miss the final exam for any reason, you must contact Klumpp within 48 hours and sign an incomplete form. Without it, your grade will be calculated on the basis of an "F" on the missing material.

Academic Integrity

You are responsible for knowing the university’s Code of Academic Integrity. The principles governing that policy are two-fold:

the work that I should mark as yours is material that you have authored, and
you have the responsibility to give recognition to others whose work you incorporate in your projects.

You should review the university’s policy and make certain that you implement these two principles, especially on your web page work.

Disabilities and Religious Observances

The University of Maryland accommodates students with disabilities and recognizes the rights of students to exercise their religious rites. I ask only that you notify me during the first week of classes if you have concerns in either of these areas and require that I accommodate your needs in any way including alteration in the due date or manner of completing assignments.

Classroom Conduct

Since the opportunity to work in the classroom is so central to this course, I am concerned that everyone assume responsibility for enhancing the learning in the classroom. I prefer that you think of the necessary behavior as common courtesy -- behaving so that if others do the same, the classroom will be an environment for learning. Just in case, let me be more stern, however. Following are some basic rules:

No talking or whispering to other students. If you have something to say, say it aloud and we will talk about it.
Be on time for class. If you are late, sit in a chair as close to the door as possible and avoid disruptive behavior.
Do not plan to leave class early. If you must, sit close to the door and leave with minimum disruption. If you have problems with physiological needs, relieve them before class or hold them.
Keep your verbal and nonverbal comments about the ideas of other students considerate and be prepared to defend judgements that you make.

The University of Maryland subscribes to policies requiring respect for other students, including policies pertaining to nondiscrimination, sexual harassment and Code of Student Conduct. Those disrupting the class in any way will be asked to leave the class after a first offense and to drop the course after subsequent problems. Disruptive behavior is defined as any behavior that distracts students concentrating on the normal operation of the class. According to university rules, I am the final judge of disruptive behavior in my classroom.

Electronic Devices in the Classroom

Please observe the following with regard to electronic devices:

Audial electronics (watches, cell phones, computers, etc.) should be turned off or silenced before all classes.
Cell phones and text messaging devices are potentially disruptive and certainly inappropriate in the classroom. Those engaging them during class time may be asked to leave the classroom. Similarly, no ear phones may be worn during class. Your attention is important to mastery of the subject matter of the class.
No laptops or other computers will be permitted in class. The most successful students in this course have reproduced the notes available on the website and modified them to reflect the material of class. Those who find this too restrictive typically reserve time after class to compose notes on class. I do not mind students taking notes on things we discuss in class, but mastering facts and information is only the first dimension of the material you need to get from the class. So, do NOT let the taking of notes distract from a more basic understanding of the communities and speeches we study. It is for this reason, that I prohibit computers in class: I do not wish for the things said in class to pass from your ear to your fingertips without your brain engaged.
No disruptive audio or video recording will be allowed, and any recording at all can occur only with my permission. That permission will be granted only for extraordinary circumstances. Recording is no substitute for attendance.
No electronic devices of any kind will be permitted on test days.

Course Policies and Standards Student Responsibilities