UCSD Discussion Sections

Email: a5dinh@ucsd.edu

Attendance: 

Discussion Section Participation = 21%

Attendance in discussion sections is mandatory. Discussion sections must be attended synchronously (live): unlike lectures, discussion sections are not recorded or podcast. Students are allowed one unexcused discussion section absence during the quarter. Each additional unexcused absence will result in a five-point deduction from the student’s participation grade. Four unexcused section absences will result in a 0% participation score. Students with five unexcused section absences or more will fail the course. Any excused absence must be requested by contacting the TA before the section begins.

The participation grade is based on your engagement in discussion sections. For more information on your discussion section and participation, please read the remainder of this section syllabus.

Tardiness: 

Please arrive to class on time, if not early. Important announcements are made within the first 5 minutes.

Food/Drink/Make-Up:

 No food or drinks are allowed during classroom instruction time. Water is acceptable. 

Technology Use: 

Laptops, tablets, and phones are acceptable. No recording of section is allowed. Please be aware that some technology may be distracting. I encourage students to do their best to be present, and sections are designed to engage students effectively.

5-Point Scale:

5 - Student contributes a quality comment, question, (respectful) critique, or idea across multiple modalities (online, group work, and whole-class). Quality responses mean referencing lecture and readings to support your argument/idea that demonstrates critical analysis.

4- Student contributes a quality comment, question, (respectful) critique, or idea across only one modality (see above) during the discussion section.

3 - Student contributes, but the TA deems it non-quality, because it does not reflect critical analysis. This applies even if the student contributes across multiple modalities.

2 - Student attends section, but does not contribute in any fashion or leaves early for an unspecified reason.

1 - Student does not attend section without prior notice and verification of an extenuating circumstance. 

Note: These marks are determined immediately following section.

Grade Appeals:

All questions regarding grades or academic marks must be asked after section or via email. Asking questions about grades during or immediately before/after instruction will not be considered. Those intervals are essential for me to prepare and wrap-up instruction.

Academic Honesty and Integrity: Cheating and other forms of dishonest behavior are disrespectful to the educational process for all students and a breach of trust. As a result, the following guidelines shall be followed:

• Students may not submit work that is not totally their own. 

• Discussion responses should be completed individually and without the use of AI in any capacity.

• Students must not consult outside sources (especially the Internet) unless instructor approval is granted.

Academic dishonesty is a serious matter and may result in student discipline measures. Turning in any work that is not entirely your own, and not properly acknowledged as such, will result in failure of the assignment and subject you to further action by the college.  Assignments can be checked via Canvas, which uses software known for accuracy in detecting plagiarism.

If the instructor suspects that the work is not the original writing and/or ideas of the author, an in-person, conference may be required to demonstrate evidence that this work is your own. Professor Graham will then be notified.

By taking this class you are agreeing to abide by these policies regarding academic honesty and will agree to meet with the instructor should plagiarism of any form be suspected.  

Do not risk severe penalties by failing to properly cite your sources, by having someone else complete your work, trying to google test answers without completing the assignments and understanding the lectures, using online sites like Quizlet/CourseHero, sharing answers on Discord, using AI or Grammarly, or by reusing work for another course. 

Lastly, any student charged and found guilty of academic dishonesty forfeits any future opportunities for letters of recommendation or job references. 

Review the college policy on academic honesty and dishonesty and make sure you understand the class, school, and district policies.

Link: https://senate.ucsd.edu/operating-procedures/senate-manual/appendices/2#:~:text=No%20student%20shall%20plagiarize%20or,it%20as%20their%20own%20work.&text=No%20student%20shall%20employ%20aids,not%20authorized%20by%20the%20instructor.

If you have accommodations provided by the Office of Students with Disabilities, please let me know. If, at any point in the quarter, you think you may need accommodations, please contact OSD as soon as possible.

On a personal note, if you qualify for disability assistance, please do not feel like you will be disserviced. I have devoted a career to working with DSPS students and English-Language Learners, and am happy to work with you! :) 

Community time is like office hours, but more intentional. We meet, true. However, this is a time when we can discuss all matters including the class, assessments, the undergraduate experience, and/or life in general. Think of this time as time to connect, not just going about our business. The more we can see each other as people, the more connected we can feel with our learning.

In-Person: Fridays, 5-6PM, Meet at Triton Statue then migrate somewhere warm

Online: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00-10:30AM, Link: Make An Appointment