Policies & Grading

The Grade

Your final grade will be based on three things: 1. class participation, completion of short written analyses of some of the case studies we do in class, completion of a practice essay, and a final evaluation (I’ve linked the form you’ll use at the end of the semester) of yourself and your team members, worth all together 10% of your grade; 2. a take home midterm worth 15% of your grade; 3. one 3-hour final exam, which will be closed book (but you will be allowed one 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of paper with notes), worth 75% of your grade.

The course is subject to the curve, and the grading policy can be found on pages 81-83 of the student handbook.

What if I have a conflict on the date an assignment is due?

Late assignments will not get credit. At the same time, I am very generous with granting extensions when necessary. Don’t be afraid to ask for an extension if you know that you may have a conflict that will interfere or if something comes up even the day that the assignment is due. Just do it in advance of the time that the assignment is due. And if you have technical difficulties uploading an assignment, just email me to explain and keep trying. My goal is not to create extra stress, but instead to create a clear expectation and parameters to allow us to work together effectively.

Attendance

If you are feeling ill or have tested positive for COVID or other communicable illness, you should not come to class. Other than that, you should come to class, be on time, participate, and ask questions that you have. In class, we practice daily what you will do as lawyers and what you will do on your tests and final exam. The back-and-forth is also the way you learn. If you have more than 9 absences for any reason, you may not be allowed to sit for the final examination and complete the course. I will take attendance by displaying a qr code that you can use with your mobile device to access a form. It’s your responsibility to ensure that you have filled out that form.

At the same time, everybody has the occasional conflict and must miss class or be late. Any time you do (and I don’t need to know why), let me know if you have any questions about the material you missed. If you start to get close to the maximum number of absences, please get in touch with me so that we can work together to keep you prepared. You are responsible for material missed. If you are absent for more than a few class periods, or you know you'll have an extended absence, you should let Dean Baris know so that he can help you with all of your classes.

Class will be recorded, and the recordings posted.  They will be accessible through Canvas and Panopto. Pursuant to SLU policy, students should not record the class on their own or distribute any recordings to those outside of the class.  Violation of this policy may subject a student to disciplinary action under the School of Law's Student Handbook and the University's Student Handbook.

Accessibility

SLU LAW is committed to diversity and inclusion through accessible programs, services, and campus environment. If you have questions about or are seeking to request a disability accommodation in this or any other class, please contact Christine Self, Assistant Dean of Students by email at christine.self@slu.edu. Confidentiality will be observed in all inquiries.

More on equal educational opportunity

SLU Law and its faculty are committed to supporting our students and seeking an environment that is free of bias, discrimination, and harassment. If you have encountered any form of sexual misconduct (e.g. sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic or dating violence), we encourage you to report this to the University. If you speak with a faculty member about an incident of misconduct, that faculty member must notify either SLU LAW's Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Christine Self, Assistant Dean of Students (christine.self@slu.edu), or  SLU’s Title IX coordinator, Anna Kratky (DuBourg Hall, Room 36; anna.kratky@slu.edu; 314-977-3886) and share the basic information of your experience. The Title IX Coordinator will then be available to assist you in understanding all of your options and in connecting you with all possible resources on and off campus. If you wish to speak with a confidential source, you may contact the counselors at the University Counseling Center at 314-977-TALK. To view SLU’s sexual misconduct policy and for resources, please visit www.slu.edu/here4you.

Basic Needs Security

Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance in the course is urged to contact the Dean of Students for support. Furthermore, please notify the professor if you are comfortable in doing so. This will enable her to provide any resources that she may possess.

Additional Resources

All students experience stressors and challenges at some point, and seeking support is beneficial. Such challenges may be the result of academic concerns (such as those related to particular assignments or content in a course), or they may be more personal in nature (such as concerns related to relationships, mental health, loss, identities, alcohol or drugs, housing or food security, or finances, among other things). If you experience these or other difficulties, please consider seeking support from the resources available to you.

·         For concerns related to this course, please contact me. I am invested in your success and will support your success in the ways I can. 

·         Additionally, you have access to the many resources SLU provides in support of your personal wellness. You will find a list of available resources on the Well-being page of the SLU website. Law school specific resources can be found here.

 If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis: please consult the Crisis Support and Warning Signs on the University Counseling Center website.

In the spirit of cura personalis, the University sees your academic success as connected to your health and well-being and provides resources to support your holistic wellness. 

If you or someone you know is having trouble coping, there are many resources for help, all confidential. Here are a few:

MOLAP 800-688-7859

University Counseling Center 314-977-8255 (TALK) 

Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 (TALK)

Crisis Text Line text “HOME” to 741741