Policies

This course utilizes a variety of modalities (such as audio, video, and text) because people thrive and learn in different ways, but let me know if there are more ways I can support your learning. 

College of DuPage is committed to the equitable access of educational opportunities for students with disabilities in accordance with The Americans with Disabilities Act, As Amended and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Any student who feels they may need an accommodation on the basis of an illness, injury, medical condition, or disability (whether temporary or permanent) should contact the Center for Access and Accommodations to determine eligibility for accommodations and to obtain an official Letter of Accommodation. Connecting with the Center for Access and Accommodations is an important way to make sure that any student who has a need based on a disability, illness, injury, or medical condition is provided with appropriate accommodations.

The Center for Access and Accommodations can be reached via email at access@cod.edu or (630) 942-2154. Students may also initiate a request for services by going to www.cod.edu/access and clicking on the green box labeled "complete form to request accommodations." If you are already registered with the Center for Access and Accommodations, please email me your Letter of Accommodation as soon as possible. For your own privacy, please do not send any health documentation or doctor's notes to me.

Plagiarism and Cheating

A student who submits work which, in whole or part, has been created, generated, written, spoken, or designed by someone or something else (such as AI tools/software or bots), or which contains passages quoted or paraphrased from another’s work without acknowledgment has committed an act of plagiarism. Students who have plagiarized or cheated will be subject to various corrective or disciplinary actions, including re-doing the assignment, failing the assignment, failing the entire course, and/or possible expulsion from the college. See Academic Integrity for more information.

If a student submits plagiarized work, including plagiarized or unapproved AI-generated work, and the student takes responsibility for it, the student will complete an alternative assignment and no other punitive measures will taken.

If the student submits plagiarized work and does not respond to my outreach within three days (avoids me) or denies it, I will report the violation to the Dean of Students where a formal investigation will take place. In this scenario, it is very likely the student will fail the course.

If the student submits plagiarized work for a second time, I will report the violation to the Dean of Students where a formal investigation will take place. In this scenario, the student will fail the course, and it is also possible the student will be expelled from the college due to a repetitive pattern of unethical conduct.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and Large Language Models (LLMs)

We tend to believe that because something is widely used by millions of people, that it's safe and good for us, but with AI that's just not the case. Numerous studies have shown that GenAI is making us dumb, lonely, anti-social, and unmotivated, and it's an incredible resource hog of electricity and water, impacting the Chicago area sooner than later. Data centers are draining our water supply, decreasing the water pressure in people's homes, and causing headaches for residents who live close enough to hear the humming coming from the centers. 

Generative AI is also programmed to please the user, so it generates results and content users want to hear. GenAI has helped people commit suicide as well as instructed people on how to make explosives and commit mass shootings. Deepfake images and videos have been used to spread incorrect and harmful information. Simply put: AI is a tremendous threat to humanity when used unethically and improperly. Knowing all this, do you still feel comfortable using it and blindly trusting its output?

That said, there are correct ways to use it, and when used correctly, it can be useful.

I ask that you don't use Generative AI tools (including ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, Co-pilot, Grammarly, etc) for this class except when I issue instructions on how to use it for an assignment. 

Despite the strict policies in this five week course, my classes have a welcoming and supportive vibe. Many of my students have developed friendships that continue after the semester is over, and I hope that becomes the case for you as well! 

That said, we are still serious about learning. We will explore controversial and sensitive topics at times. Some ideas, viewpoints, and beliefs may challenge your current views or values and we should be curious whenever possible so we can learn and grow from one another. 

Even though our classroom community is virtual, we still need to behave in a mature, responsible manner as discussed in the Code of Student Conduct. It is always nicer and wiser to say, "That's an interesting perspective that I hadn't considered. I'm wondering, however, if there is sufficient evidence to support that point?" than, "Okay, clown. Keep drinking the Kool-aid. You obviously don't know how to sift through the biased info out there." Practice open-mindedness and respect as opposed to obnoxious aggression, which serves no one, including the aggressor. 

Repeated or serious misconduct may result in disciplinary action, which may include removal from the course.

Instructors are required to complete roster verifications to ensure students who receive financial aid are participating in the course. If you are receiving financial aid, it is critical that you participate in class the first three days of the course to avoid being dropped. Roster verification is also important to identify and prevent instances of financial aid fraud. 

Similarly, midterm verification helps the state of Illinois identify students who are actively pursuing completion of the course and determine state funding for College of DuPage. Students who are withdrawn at midterm due to lack of participation do not receive a refund and may lose their financial aid. 

The last day to withdraw is SATURDAY, AUGUST 1. Incomplete grades are reserved only for unexpected emergencies; students must be in good standing (a ‘C’ or better) and have been a regular class participant for the majority of the course. Put simply, please do not let registration or performance issues sneak up on you. If you face any impediments that might affect your ability to perform in class, please contact me.