Course & UNC Charlotte Policies

Course Policies

The standards and requirements set forth in this syllabus may be modified at any time by the course instructor. Notice of such changes will be by announcement in class or by email.

Attendance:  Our class will be delivered face-to-face; thus, your attendance in class is essential to your success in this course.  That said, I understand that serious illness is a possibility and may prevent you from attending classes for a period of time during the semester; you may also need to care for someone who is ill.  If you experience one of these serious situations, please provide me with a doctor's note or documentation from the Office of Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) to cover the time that you are absent.  In most cases, I will excuse absences with one of these types of verification. 

However, missing more than four (4) classes otherwise may result in a failing grade.  In the event that you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to get class notes from a classmate.  To this end, you should have at least one classmate's contact information.

Make-up work:  In-class writings cannot be made up.  Other assignments will be accepted after the deadline ONLY IF accompanied by a pass (see below) or documentation (e.g., a doctor's note or verification from SASS).  However, with my permission, you may turn in assignments ahead of the due date.

The pass:  The pass allows students to turn in one assignment up to one week past the due date without explanation or penalty, except for in-class writings, peer review drafts, or group conferences.  The pass must be requested by email before the assignment is due.  Each student is allowed one pass/semester.  It is up to you to determine for which assignment you will use the pass. Please choose wisely.

Communication:  The primary way that I will communicate with the class is through Canvas Announcements, so please make sure that your Canvas account is set to receive these notifications daily.  Please see this link to learn how to check/change your Canvas settings. 

Classroom decorum:  I will conduct this class in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The conflict of ideas is encouraged and welcome. The orderly questioning of the ideas of others, including mine, is similarly welcome. However, I will exercise my responsibility to manage the discussions, so that ideas and argument can proceed in an orderly fashion. You should expect that if your conduct during class discussions seriously disrupts the atmosphere of mutual respect I expect in this class, you will not be permitted to participate further.

Participation:  Your participation is vital to the success of this course.  Our classroom is a community, and in order to function as a community, it is important that each student be present and on time for every class; if you are absent or late, you will not only miss important information, but will also lessen your opportunities to contribute to and participate in class discussions and activities.  Accordingly, you are expected to:

• Be prepared for each class, which requires you to do all of the assignments and readings completely and on time.

• Contribute thoughtful comments and questions to synchronous and asynchronous discussions.

• Collaborate effectively with your classmates.

• Give to your classmates, as well as to receive from them, support.

• Show respect to your classmates, instructors, and all guest speakers.

Additionally, this course uses Canvas, which provides the instructor with analytics and data on student engagement with the Canvas page, including page views, participation, submissions, timeliness, etc. I will be monitoring student activities on Canvas to ensure successful engagement and participation in the course. If I notice that a student's activities on Canvas indicate issues with pedagogically appropriate engagement, I may reach out to the student to discuss improving course engagement and participation.

Instructor tardiness:  If I am late in arriving to class, you must: 

• Wait a full 20 minutes after the start of class before you may leave without being counted absent, or 

• Follow any written instructions I may give you about my anticipated tardiness.

UNC Charlotte's Attendance Policies

• Students are expected to attend every class and remain in class for the duration of the session. Failure to attend class or arriving late may impact your ability to achieve course objectives which could affect your course grade.  An absence, excused or unexcused, does not relieve a student of any course requirement. Regular class attendance is a student’s obligation, as is a responsibility for all the work of class meetings, including tests and written tasks. Any unexcused absence or excessive tardiness may result in a loss of participation points.

• Class Absence(s): The individual instructor has the authority to excuse a student’s class absence(s) and to grant a student an academic accommodation (turn in a late assignment, provide extra time on an assignment, reschedule an exam, etc.).  However, under Academic Affairs Policy on Course Attendance and Participation, University-sanctioned events or activities are considered excused absences.  A University-sanctioned event or activity is one in which a student formally represents the University to external constituencies in athletic or academic activities. This policy does not supersede individual program attendance and/or participation requirements that are aligned with accreditation or licensure. For more information and student responsibilities to account for such an absence, see provost.charlotte.edu/policies-procedures/academic-policies-and-procedures/course-attendance-and-participation.

• Students are encouraged to work directly with their instructors regarding class absences for medical appointments, military/court orders, and/or personal and family emergencies, such as a death in the immediate family, where a student is able to provide an instructor with appropriate supporting documentation of the absence. The final decision for approval of absences and missed work or make-up work is determined by the instructor.

• If a religious accommodation is needed, students are expected to communicate directly with their faculty regarding the related need. The request should be made in writing and should state (i) the specific accommodation being requested, (ii) the religious practice or belief the student holds, (iii) how the requested accommodation enables the student to participate in their religious practice or belief, and (iv) the date(s) and/or frequency of the requested accommodation. The request should be submitted as far in advance as possible. The length of time between when the request is submitted and the date of the requested accommodation may affect the reasonableness of the requested accommodation. The instructor and the student will then discuss what a reasonable accommodation should be in the given case and then document this agreed-upon accommodation. University Policy 409 provides more details about this procedure. The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX is available as a resource if students or faculty have questions about the process.

• The Office of Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS) can provide notification to faculty of emergency situations, when a student is unable to do so and when the office has been made aware of such emergencies. In such situations, the SASS office may also be able to assist with verification of such emergencies, once a student is able to return to classes. The SASS office does not provide verification of absences for car trouble, weather issues, personal activities, work, weddings, vacations, or University-sponsored events. Absences related to such activities should be discussed directly with the faculty member.

• Should a student need assistance from the SASS office in verifying an emergency situation, they can submit an online request form (sass.charlotte.edu/services/absence-verification) and attach supporting documentation. Please note that students are not required to go through the SASS office at any time regarding absence verification, and the SASS office does not have the authority to excuse absences, allow for make-up work, or provide other academic accommodations.

• In cases of absence due to pregnancy or parenting (pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions), students should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX to obtain absence verification by completing the online form at http://bit.ly/332eaGd.

Prohibited Use of Unauthorized Materials

Unless I explicitly permit such use for legitimate pedagogical purposes, the following materials, equipment, websites, or tools are prohibited for completing course assignments, quizzes or examinations, or other academic exercises:  

• generative artificial intelligence, including but not limited to ChatGPT and Quillbot

• online course material suppliers, including but not limited to Chegg and CourseHero

Copyright Notice

My lectures and course materials, including presentations, tests, exams, outlines, and similar materials, are protected by copyright. I am the exclusive owner of copyright in those materials I create. I encourage you to take notes and make copies of course materials for your own educational use. However, you may not, nor may you knowingly allow others to reproduce or distribute lecture notes and course materials publicly without my express written consent. This includes providing materials to commercial course material suppliers such as CourseHero, Chegg, and other similar services. Students who publicly distribute or display or help others publicly distribute or display copies or modified copies of an instructor's course materials may be in violation of University Policy 406, The Code of Student Responsibility, or University Policy 407, Code of Student Academic Integrity.  Similarly, you own copyright in your original papers and exam essays. If I am interested in posting your answers or papers on the course web site, I will request your written permission.

UNC Charlotte's Academic Integrity Policy

All students are required to read and abide by the Code of Student Academic Integrity. Violations of the Code of Student Academic Integrity, including plagiarism, will result in disciplinary action as provided in the Code. Definitions and examples of plagiarism are set forth in the Code and on the Student Accountability & Conflict Resolution website. The Code is available from the Dean of Students Office or online at legal.charlotte.edu/policies/up-407.  Additional resources are available on the Student Accountability & Conflict Resolution website.

Faculty may ask students to produce identification at examinations and may require students to demonstrate that graded assignments completed outside of class are their own work. 

As a condition of taking this course, all required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to SimCheck [or another plagiarism detection service] for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the SimCheck [or another plagiarism detection service] reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. No student papers will be submitted to SimCheck without a student’s written consent and permission. If a student does not provide such written consent and permission, the instructor may: (i) require a short reflection paper on research methodology; (ii) require a draft bibliography prior to submission of the final paper; or (iii) require the cover page and first cited page of each reference source to be photocopied and submitted with the final paper.  

Violation of these syllabus policies may result in appropriate academic penalties, including reduction of grade in the relevant assignment, project, test, or exam. If violation of these syllabus policies also implicates the Code of Student Academic Integrity because of alleged academic misconduct, I will follow the process outlined in the Code to address such cases.

UNC Charlotte's Electronics Policy

• Electronics:  Students are permitted to use computers during class for note-taking and other class-related work only. Those using computers during class for work not related to that class must leave the classroom for the remainder of the class period and will be counted absent. The use of cell phones, smart phones, or other mobile communication devices and applications (including IM applications) is disruptive, and is therefore prohibited during class. Except in emergencies, those using such devices must leave the classroom for the remainder of the class period.

• Privacy:  Electronic video, image capture, and/or audio recording is not permitted during class, whether conducted in person or online, unless the student obtains permission from the instructor. If permission is granted, any distribution of the recording is prohibited. Students with specific electronic recording accommodations authorized by the Office of Disability Services do not require instructor permission; however, the instructor must be notified of any such accommodation prior to recording. Any distribution of such recordings is prohibited.

• Canvas:  Also, this course uses Canvas, which provides the instructor with analytics and data on student engagement with the Canvas page, including page views, participation, submissions, timeliness, etc. I will be monitoring student activities on Canvas to ensure successful engagement and participation in the course. If I notice that a student's activities on Canvas indicate issues with pedagogically appropriate engagement, I may reach out to the student to discuss improving course engagement and participation.

UNC Charlotte's Nondiscrimination Statement

General:  All students and the instructor are expected to engage with each other respectfully.  Unwelcome conduct directed toward another person based upon that person’s actual or perceived race; color; religion (including belief and non-belief); sex; ​sexual orientation; gender identity; age; national origin; physical or mental disability; veteran status; genetic information; or for any other reason, may constitute a violation of University Policy 501, Nondiscrimination. Any student suspected of engaging in such conduct will be referred to the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX.

Penalties for Misconduct:  UNC Charlotte is committed to maintaining an environment conducive to learning for all students and a professional workplace for all employees. The University takes active measures to create or restore a respectful, safe, and inclusive environment for community members that is free from discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and interpersonal violence. If you (or someone you know) has experienced any of these incidents, know that you are not alone. UNC Charlotte has staff members trained to support you in navigating campus life, accessing health and counseling services, providing academic and housing accommodations, helping with civil protective orders, and more.

Please be aware that all UNC Charlotte employees, including faculty members, are expected to relay any information or reports of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, or sexual and interpersonal misconduct they receive to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX.  This means that if you tell me about a situation involving these matters, I am expected to report the information.  Although I am expected to report the situation, you will still have options about how your case will be handled, including whether or not you wish to pursue a formal complaint.  Our goal is to make sure you are aware of the range of options available to you and have access to the resources you need.

If you wish to speak to someone confidentially, you can contact the following on-campus resources, who are not required to report the incident to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX: (1) Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) (caps.charlotte.edu, 7-0311); or (2) Student Health Center (studenthealth.charlotte.edu, 7-7400).  Additional information about your options is also available at civilrights.charlotte.edu under the “Students” tab.

Gender:  This course affirms people of all gender expressions and gender identities. If you prefer to be called a different name than what is indicated on the class roster, please let me know. Also, please feel free to correct me on your gender pronouns. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

UNC Charlotte's Mental Health Statement

It is common for college students to experience challenges that may interfere with academic success such as academic stress, sleep problems, juggling responsibilities, life events, relationship concerns, or feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, or depression. If you or a friend is struggling, we strongly encourage you to seek support. Helpful, effective resources are available on campus at no additional cost.

• Visit the Counseling and Psychological Services website at caps.charlotte.edu for information about the broad range of confidential on-campus mental health services, online health assessments, hours, and additional information.

• Call CAPS at (704) 687-0311 if interested in scheduling an appointment with a counselor. After-hours crisis support is also available through this phone number.

The Center for Integrated Care (CIC) is a one-stop shop for referral and linkage to wellbeing resources both on and off campus. CIC is a front-facing clinical case management department providing coordination of care and continuity of care services, and follow-up for students. CIC provides outreach and programming to encourage and provide more access to care for students who may be ambivalent, unsure or do not have the desire to seek more formal wellness services. In addition, CIC serves as a triage department for faculty and staff to refer students who may not be experiencing crisis but instead may need clinical guidance and direction. Currently, CIC is housed in the Counseling and Psychological Services Building, occupying a dedicated corridor of offices.

UNC Charlotte's Disability Accommodations Policy

UNC Charlotte is committed to access to education.  Students in this course seeking accommodations for disabilities must first consult with the Office of Disability Services and follow the instructions of that office for obtaining accommodations.