Attendance is extremely critical in this course, as much of your learning will develop through class discussions, activities and peer collaboration. Please note that classes are counted based on the number of weeks, and therefore classes that are twice a week each count as half a class.

If you miss a class session, you will need to turn in:

1. Any individual Canvas assignments from the week’s module submitted through Canvas

2. Documentation about absence (doctor’s note, etc.)

3. Written completion of any discussion questions missed

4. Complete your portion of the collaborative assignment

Homework due the day of absence is considered late if submitted after the due date. The absence documentation and discussion questions need to be stapled together, dated with date of absence, and submitted through the class folder within 2 weeks of returning to class.

Note: a two days a week class counts as two halves of the same class, so missing one day is 1/2 a missed class.

For online classes, modules cannot be skipped. Students earn 10 points toward participation each time they attend a live class session/field trip (3-5 field trips are available), a synchronous online session (there will be sessions most weeks), or a Professor Review session (4 will be offered to each online student) toward a paper. Asynchronous students can earn the attendance points by completing the entire module.

I have noticed a few things that help students be more successful in online classes:

• Showing up for class sessions.

• Connecting to classmates.

• Connecting with the professor.

To facilitate student success, I will expect students to be available 2-3 hours a week for:

1. Online lessons: a “class” session that I choose for your group (based on group availability), when I will be present to teach, explain concepts, and answer questions;

2. Collaboration with classmates: 1-2 “collaborative” session(s) for your group, which will be chosen by your group so you can complete assignments together (this may also align with your online session); and

3. Sessions with me: a one-on-one meeting with me about every other week (more often, if needed) to check in and go over your writing progress.

There will also be a completely asynchronous group for students who cannot make any of the sessions with their classmates. All assignments can be completed asynchronously, but all members will be expected to contribute to collaborative assignments.

In online classes, synchronous sessions are not required per Saddleback's policy for online courses. However, attendance in groups to complete collaborative assignments is highly recommended. Students who bond are more successful in the class.

Instead of starting with 100 points toward attendance, asynchronous students will be required to earn at least 100 points in attendance through completing modules. These points may be earned through completing all of the week’s assignments, through attending coffee shop, and/or meeting with the professor.