Out-of-Class Preparation

Per the university policy: Course instructors generally structure their courses so that the "average" student will need to devote two to three hours outside of class each week for each unite of course credit. In other words, students should expect to spend 6-9 hours outside of classe each week for a 3-unit class in completing assigned readings, performing library or internet searches, doing homework assignments, writing papers or reports, studying for quizzes/exams, etc. 

You should be spending this much time studying and working on homework each week! 

Late assignments/missed exams:

 You will be given ample time to complete assignments. However, I know that life gets in the way sometimes. You have two "free passes" for the semester for any assignment other than exams. Here are the rules: 

1. If you don't get something in on time, email me within 24 hours of the original due date for the assignment in question. 

2. Ask to use one free pass for that specific assignment and I will reopen it for you for an additional 48 hours. 

3. There will be no deductions and no questions asked. In other words, you don't have to explain to me why you missed the deadline. 

4. If at the end of the semester, you have not used your free passes, I will add 2.5 points per remaining free pass to your grade. 

Remember that this does not include exams. However, if you absolutely cannot make it to an exam, please notify me immediately.

Canvas: 

This will be the source of lecture materials and all assignments. On the site for this class, you will find the Powerpoint presentations for my lectures, videos and supplementary materials, any assigned readings that are not part of your text book, assignments, etc.  I will also post relevant announcements here, so please check this regularly.  There is a free app available that will allow you to get notifications when the Canvas sites for your courses are updated.  If you have the technology for this, you may consider downloading the app. 

Technology: 

I understand that many students like to use technology in class for note-taking. I will allow this (I also like taking notes on my tablet).  However, your cell phones should be turned off and put away.  If you are being disruptive to those around you, I will ask you to either put away your notebook/laptop, or leave class.  Please, be respectful of other students around you as well as me! 

AI: 

Use of AI is prohibited, unless specified otherwise in the assignment. Evidence of the use of AI will earn you a zero for that assignment and you will be reported to the university for cheating. Please see the academic integrity policy below for more information regarding academic dishonesty. 

1. Masks are optional, but strongly encouraged if you are sick. If you have symptoms of any illness or think that you might have been exposed to something, I encourage you strongly to wear a mask out respect for the rest of us and our health! I will do the same!

2. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms, please do the following: 

• Students experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can seek medical care at Student Health Services. Schedule an appointment with Student Health Services (SHS) by calling 661-654-2394. Please be aware: If you are having COVID symptoms, you MUST call the SHS to schedule an appointment — no walk-ins will be accepted. You will be directed on proper protocol for accessing services to include a required COVID test, using a specific entrance and wearing a mask at all times within the SHS facility.

• Get an at-home test:

  • • • • • • • at your local pharmacy

              • at select locations on campus, while supplies last

• Find a free community testing site.

3. If you test positive for COVID, call CSUB Case Management at 661-654-3453. They will handle all the notifications (to your professors), follow-ups and final campus clearance associated with your case.

4. If you are sick with any illness and can't attend class, please notify me ASAP so that I can accommodate you as best as I can. 

5. Wash your hands often! Practice good hygiene!

6. Please keep in mind that some of us are at risk for illnesses. I have lupus; there may be others in the class who are immuno-compromised as well. Vaccinations are GREAT (Yay Science!!! 🧪), but we all need to do our part and practice all precautions so that we don't get each other sick!

I hope we have a fun and healthy semester! Let's do this!!

Students are not permitted to make visual or audio recordings, including live streaming, of classroom lectures or any class related content, using any type of recording devices (e.g., smart phone, computer, digital recorder, etc.), unless prior permission from the instructor is obtained, and there are no objections from any of the students in the class. If permission is granted, personal use and sharing of recordings and any electronic copies of course materials (e.g., PowerPoints, formulas, lecture notes and any classroom discussions online or otherwise) is limited to the personal use of students registered in the course and for educational purposes only, even after the end of the course.

To supplement the classroom experience, lectures may be audio or video recorded by faculty and made available to students registered for this class. Faculty may record classroom lectures or discussions for pedagogical use, future student reference, or to meet the accommodation needs of students with a documented disability. These recordings are limited to personal use and may not be distributed (file share), sold, or posted or shared on social media outlets or any other outlets without the written permission of faculty. Unauthorized downloading, file sharing, distribution of any part of a recorded lecture or course materials, or using information for purposes other than the student’s own learning may be deemed an academic violation and subject to disciplinary action.

The CSU Academic Integrity Policy: 

The principles of truth and integrity are recognized as fundamental to a community of teachers and scholars. The University expects that both faculty and students will honor these principles and in so doing will protect the integrity of all academic work and student grades. Students are expected to do all work assigned to them without unauthorized assistance and without giving unauthorized assistance. Faculty have the responsibility of exercising care in the planning and supervision of academic work so that honest effort will be encouraged and positively reinforced.

There are certain forms of conduct that violate the university’s policy of academic integrity:

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY (CHEATING) is a broad category of actions that involve fraud and deception to improve a grade or obtain course credit. Academic dishonesty (cheating) is not limited to examination situations alone, but arises whenever students attempt to gain an unearned academic advantage.

PLAGIARISM is a specific form of academic dishonesty (cheating) which consists of the misuse of published or unpublished works of another by claiming them as one’s own. Plagiarism may consist of handing in someone else’s work as one’s own, copying or purchasing a pre-written composition and claiming it as one’s own, using paragraphs, sentences, phrases, words or ideas written by another without giving appropriate citation, or using data and/or statistics compiled by another without giving appropriate citation.

Another example of academic dishonesty (cheating) is the SUBMISSION OF THE SAME, OR ESSENTIALLY THE SAME, PAPER or other assignment for credit in two different courses without receiving prior approval from the instructors of the affected courses.

When a faculty member discovers a violation of the university’s policy of academic integrity, the faculty member is required to notify the Dean of Students Office and the student(s) involved. A course grade of ‘F’ may be assigned or another grade penalty may be applied at the discretion of the course instructor. Additional disciplinary sanctions are determined by the Assistant Dean of the Dean of Students Office.

Disciplinary sanctions may include:

• disciplinary probation,

• suspension,

• permanent expulsion from the university or from the California State University system,

• administrative hold on the release of records,

• and withholding a degree.

Disciplinary probation shall be noted on the student’s formal academic record only for the duration of the probationary period. Disciplinary suspension of more than one academic year and expulsion are a part of the student’s permanent record.

The student may pursue a formal hearing or make a settlement agreement with the Assistant Dean of the Dean of Students Office.

The Dean of Students Office shall conduct an investigation, confer with the faculty member, students and any witnesses identified, and review all evidence. The student is entitled to a formal hearing scheduled by the Dean of Students Office, in which the evidence of the alleged violation shall be presented before an impartial Hearing Officer (appointed by the President) and the student shall be present to provide an explanation or defense. The Hearing Officer shall submit a written report to the President containing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Alternatively, a settlement agreement may be made with the Dean of Students Office. The settlement agreement will specify the disciplinary sanctions, the length and terms of disciplinary probation or suspension, and the conditions the student is expected to meet in order to remain in good standing (e.g., training or regular meetings with the Dean of Students Office). All sanctions are reported to the instructor reporting the incident, the student’s Chair, and the student’s Dean.

Any repeated violation of academic integrity shall result in more serious academic sanctions.  Normally, this will include suspension or expulsion from the university with a note on the student’s permanent record.

To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) as soon as possible. You can visit their webpage by clicking the button below. Their office is located in SA 140, and they may be reached at (661) 654-3360. If you have a letter from the SSD office documenting that you have a disability, please present the letter to me during my office hours as soon as possible so we can discuss the specific accommodations that you might need in class.

While we are back in person, we still will use online tools to communicate. So, please practice online etiquette throughout the semester. 

Often referred to as "netiquette," here is a gentle reminder of the interaction practices and rules we'll follow in all our interactions in this course.

If you ever feel that someone is not following these rules, please send an email to me using the Canvas Inbox and describe your concerns.