Guidelines

Course Guidelines

As a student of Mesa Community College, you are responsible for the college policies included in the college catalog and the student handbook. You are also responsible for comprehending and following the specific standards and policies established for this course. Mr. Peterson reserves the right to drop a student from the class role, anytime during the semester, if he perceives the student is not meeting the course requirements and/or guidelines set forth in these documents.

Attendance Policy: Regular attendance is imperative. You need to be present to learn--by observing and practicing the various skills introduced in the classroom. This is a participation course. Roll will be taken at the beginning of each class meeting. You will be allowed 2 absences witiout penalty in this class. The only official excused absences are for MCC sponsored activities or religious days, but they require advanced written notice. If you are absent when you are to give an oral assignment or presentation you will be given a zero for that exercise -- THERE ARE NO MAKE-UP PRESENTATIONS. You will receive no credit for the class participation portion of your final grade if you have more than 2 absences. You may also be dropped from the class for excessive absences.

Late Work Policy: All written work must be turned in by the date and time it is due whether you are absent or not. Student's grade will be lowered one grade step per class period late on any written assignment. Remember, there are NO late oral assignments. All written work must be typed, double-spaced with 1" margins, and adhere to the principles of college writing. See: "Good Writing or Pet Peeves and Higher Grades". Make-up lecture quizzes must be arranged by the student within a week of the original test date.

Classroom Procedure: The process of learning will be cumulative, but the instructor will also endeavor to obtain "gestalt." In each unit of study you will be expected to show a grasp of the essential elements taught in previous units as well as the one under investigation. The instructional style will be balanced between lecture, open discussion, and learning activities.

You are expected to behave in a mature, responsible, and professional manner--Keeping an open mind to new ideas and opinions and respecting the values and privileges of all concerned. Just being in the classroom does not satisfy the participation requirement of this course! You are expected to be actively involved, verbally and nonverbally, in the various topic discussions and learning activities, showing interest and a willingness to share.

This class requires students to find information sources for a speech, research paper, or project. College-level research requires college-level sources. Appropriate sources include scholarly and peer-reviewed journal articles, scholarly books, and well-respected news magazines and newspapers. Mesa Community College Libraries, https://www.mesacc.edu/library, offers a large number of appropriate sources. Librarians are available to help students locate and select appropriate sources. Find a librarian at the library Reference Desk (on the second floor), by phone at 480-461-7682 or 480-654-7740 (RM), or Ask a Librarian, the 24/7 chat service on the library website.

Learn & Earn! Do you have a 3.25 GPA? Read on:The Honors Achievement Award is open to students who have completed 12 college-level credits within the Maricopa Colleges and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25. If this is you, apply to the Honors Program at Mesa Community College. To be awarded funds, you must be enrolled in at least 6-graded credits, including one 3-credit honors class, complete the honors class with at least a “C” grade, and participate in one co-curricular activity during the semester. Any student who qualifies for this award should contact the Honors Office at 461-7079, Kirk Center 35S (Southern and Dobson) or 654-7821, Desert Willow (Red Mountain). More information on the program and eligibility can be found at: https://www.mesacc.edu/honors/honors-achievement-award-scholarship

College-Wide Online Students' Course Survey: Near the end of this course, you may receive an invitation to complete a course survey via Canvas and your MCC email. Your constructive feedback plays an important role in shaping the quality education at MCC. All responses are completely confidential, and your name is not stored with your answers in any way. In addition, instructors will not see results from the survey until after final grades are submitted. Your participation is greatly appreciated. The course survey is only given in some MCC courses, so you may not receive a survey in all courses.

Cell Phones, Pagers, Food & Drink: Please turn the sound off on your phone before entering class. Do not talk on your phone during class: I may ask you to leave for the day. School policy does not allow food in the classrooms, and drinks must be in a spill proof container.

Disabilities: Information for Students with Disabilities: If you have a documented disability, including a learning disability, and would like to discuss possible accommodations, please contact the MCC Disabilities Resources and Services Office at 480-461-7447 or email drsfrontdesk@mesacc.edu.

Students with disabilities must have an equally effective and equivalent educational opportunity as those students without disabilities. Students experiencing difficulty accessing course materials because of a disability are expected to contact the course instructor so that a solution can be found that provides all students equal access to course materials and technology.

Information for Pregnant or Parenting Students: If you are a pregnant or parenting student you are protected under Title IX regarding classroom accommodations. Please request your accommodations through the MCC Disabilities Resources and Services Office at 480-461-7447 or email drsfrontdesk@mesacc.edu.

https://www.mesacc.edu/disability-services

MCC Early Alert Program (EARS): Mesa Community College is committed to the success of all our students. Numerous campus support services are available throughout your academic journey to assist you in achieving your educational goals. MCC has adopted an Early Alert Referral System (EARS) as part of a student success initiative to aid students in their educational pursuits. Faculty and Staff participate by alerting and referring students to campus services for added support. Students may receive a follow up call from various campus services as a result of being referred to EARS. Students are encouraged to participate, but these services are optional. Early Alert Web Page with Campus Resource Information can be located at: http://www.mesacc.edu/students/ears, or at the “Early Alert” selection at the mymcc link from MCC’s home page.