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 you are due to report or assignments are due or for the final exam, 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.

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.

In our society's unique mix of individuality and cooperation, learning how to walk the often fine line between work for which you have responsibility and work that is shared is vitally important. In our system of education you are graded on your own work, not that of others. At the same time, I am requiring that you work with fellow students in researching and reporting on the speeches and I encourage you do to so in reviewing for exams. So where do you draw the line?

In your group reports and bibliography, I am assuming that the principles of "own work" applies to the corporate work of the group. Thus, just as handing in the product of paper mills would be wrong for your individual papers, it would be for your group. But share fully and freely among members of the group. The grade will be on the group's product. On group study for the exam, all such study is acceptable.

Obviously things like handing in a paper you have purchased from internet sources or "paper mills" violates principles of academic integrity. So does bringing information into exams in forms other than memories and judgments in your head. But there are other important things you need to know and develop a feel for such as when to cite the work of others in papers and when information can be used without being attributed. The guidelines of the university policy will assist with your mastering that. I will be more than happy to assist at any time during the semester. If any of these suggestions or the University's material is unclear, I urge you to ask me. The responsibility for understanding academic integrity is yours.

Please, please do not take this issue lightly. It is my obligation as a professor and my ethical obligation as an academic to report any cases directly to the Student Honor Council and I will not hesitate to do so.

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 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