Welcome to college! For most of you this is your first year at college, meaning there will be some adjustments. In our class, you will especially learn a lot about accountability, time management, and how to conduct yourself successfully in an academic environment. To that end, here are some general policies to keep in mind as we work together throughout the semester:
Come to class prepared. Use your time wisely before each class and do not be surprised if I expect you to discuss the reading for the day. These readings are for your benefit, not mine. Learn to plan time to read, annotate, and if necessary, re-read. If a reading confuses you, write down your questions and bring them to class.
Be respectful in the classroom. In many ways, this means raising your hand to talk, not speaking over anyone else (including your professor), and choosing your words mindfully when you share a thought. Remember that not everyone shares the same opinion as you. That does not always mean that makes them wrong, and we should take the time to hear each side of the story. Be respectful to yourself, your peers, and your professor.
Treat class like work. Most of you are in college so you can get a job someday. I encourage you to begin treating college like your job right now. This is practice and preparation for your work life, so start developing a strong work ethic. This means paying attention in class, being involved in the discussion, and not falling asleep or scrolling on your phone during class time.
Communicate problems or questions. It might seem intimidating or embarrassing to talk with your professor, but it is both my job and desire to help you. However, I can't help you if you don't communicate with me. If you are confused about an assignment, class lesson, or are feeling overwhelmed in general, talk with me.
Check your MavMail regularly. It's a good habit to check your emails at least once daily. Any schedule or homework changes will primarily be communicated via email, as well as posted to D2L.
Double-check your work. Your work represents your effort, so it's a good habit to review assignment instructions at least three times: 1) in class as we review instructions together, 2) on your own to ensure you understand it correctly, and 3) right before you turn in your work to make sure you aren't missing anything. Similarly, take care of the details. Turning in work with a misspelled title or a messy format shouldn't be the way you want to represent yourself. Show your labor and effort by turning in neat and tidy work.
Monitor your grade. While this class does not use a points or percentage grading system, your grades will frequently be updated on D2L. Make it a habit to check your grades and read through any feedback I provide. This feedback is for your benefit, not mine.
Diverse languages and dialects are welcome in this classroom. As we communicate with one another, keep in mind that the reader/listener should work as hard as the writer/speaker in the communication process. This means that we will listen patiently, work to understand one another, seek out clarification when necessary and avoid finishing each other's sentences or correcting grammatical errors unless invited to do so.
I expect that the work you submit for this course will be your own. Plagiarism is submitting an academic assignment containing critical ideas or written narrative taken from another author without providing proper citation. Plagiarism can occur with direct quotations or with paraphrasing of critical ideas. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to:
submitting the work of others as your own;
submitting others’ work as your own with only minor changes;
submitting others’ work as your own without adequate footnotes, quotations, and other reference forms; or
submitting the same work multiple times, for more than one course, without both instructors’ permission, or making minor revisions on work which has received credit and submitting it again as new work;
submitting AI-generated work as your own without disclosure to the instructor.
Any work submitted for this course that represents academic dishonesty will earn an incomplete and/or may result in a final grade of “F” in the course. Any instance of academic dishonesty may be reported to the Office of Student Conduct.
*The university’s policy statement on academic honesty can be found at: https://www.mnsu.edu/globalassets/student-conduct/academic_honesty_final_draft_2020.pdf*
AI-citation resource: https://guides.lib.purdue.edu/c.php?g=1371380&p=10135074
Email me a minimum of 48 hours before the deadline. Anything closer to the deadline communicates to me you did not plan ahead. I expect all students to plan and work ahead on every assignment, so you should know early on if you need an extension.
Provide the reason for the extension. Similar to attendance, you are not expected to go into specific detail, but you should communicate to me why you are unable to complete your work on time.
Wait for my response. I will let you know if your extension request has been approved or not. If I approve it, I will let you know your new deadline for your work.
Extensions not only set you back in your work in the class, but they also give you an advantage over other students in the class who are putting in labor and effort to meet deadlines. An extension should only be requested as a last resort and should not be requested due to procrastination.
This is a college writing class, meaning that laptops and iPads are fine to use in the classroom, with the expectation that this device is being used for notetaking, writing, and/or accessing class materials. Phones should be on silent and tucked away in your pocket or backpack. Any extended technology use such as social media scrolling, texting, or gaming is prohibited and is disrespectful to everyone in the class who is focused on learning. While I will not call you out on your inappropriate phone or laptop usage, be aware that I do notice it. Anyone inappropriately using technology will be marked as absent, unexcused, which does impact your grade (see our Grading Contract for more info).
During in-class writing time, you are free to use your own headphones to listen to music. Make sure your music isn’t too loud to distract your neighbor. Sometimes I will address the class, meaning you should be alert enough to hear what’s going on around you.
The majority of work you will do in this class will be done through Google Docs, Google Drive, or Google Forms. I will frequently send out Google Form surveys, ask you to link to something or save something in your Drive or upload a link to a Google Doc. Because we use Google Doc links so much in the class, here is the general procedure for each assignment:
Upload a link to your assignment giving anyone with the link access to edit. Copy and paste this link onto D2L.
If I cannot access your link either because you didn't give me viewing, commenting, or editing access, I will immediately grade your work as "missing/incomplete" (since I cannot access your work).
Similarly, do not delete your Google Doc files after turning in your work. You will run the risk of deleting your work before I have a chance to grade it.
Here are the steps to create a shared link:
Open a file in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
In the top right corner, click Share.
In the "Get Link" section, click on the "Change to anyone with the link" link.
Next to "Anyone with the Link" click the drop-down and select "editor."
After the permission updates, copy the link above. This is what you paste into your D2L assignment dropbox.
Additionally, each writing assignment needs to be completed in the same Google Document. Your early draft, middle draft, and final draft of formal assignments will all be completed in the same Google Doc, with edit access granted. Not meeting this requirement will result in a “missing/incomplete” grade.
Any student who has difficulty getting enough to eat every day, struggles with physical or mental health concerns, lacks a safe place to live, or faces unjust deportation is living with hardship that may make it difficult to excel in this course. If any of this is the case for you or someone you know, I recommend you contact the Dean of Students for support. You are also welcome to notify me if you are comfortable doing so—I will help you however I can. Below, I have listed several resources that might help you excel as a student and human. If you need access to something not listed, please let me know.
MSU, Mankato provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodation to participate in educational programs, activities or services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodation to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should first register with Accessibility Resources, located in 0132 Memorial Library, telephone 507-389-2825, TDD 711 and then contact me as soon as possible. For more information, see https://mankato.mnsu.edu/university-life/campus-services/accessibility-resources/.
The Counseling Center provides a range of help and services, from individual and group counseling to referrals. Services are free, comfortable, and confidential; the Counseling Center is here to help students navigate any difficulties going on personally, socially, or in school. It doesn’t have to be a crisis—no problem is too small. For more information, see http://www.mnsu.edu/counseling/, call 507-389-1455, or visit the Center at CSU 285.
The Maverick Food Pantry has a selection of hundreds of perishable, non-perishable, and personal care items available to MSU students free of charge. Students can order from the Maverick Food Pantry once per week. The pantry is located at 142 Carkoski Commons. For more information, visit https://mankato.mnsu.edu/university-life/campus-services/maverick-food-pantry/; or call 507-389-1557 or email foodpantry@mnsu.edu.
The Center for Academic Success offers free tutoring in writing for all students enrolled at MSU, Mankato. Students can work one-on-one with a trained consultant to receive objective, constructive feedback on their academic writing assignments. For more information, visit www.mnsu.edu/success, or call 507-389-1791 to make an appointment.