This page provides information about policies regarding attendance, communication and participation, assignments, and our campus code of conduct and online communication policy. These policies comprise our community agreements.
I strive to create a learning atmosphere where all students feel welcome, included, and heard.
“Equity” can be defined as fairness and justice, with attention to our differences in ability and access to resources.
Equity in education is the right to a fair and inclusive educational system that ensures access to a high-quality education and provides opportunities for personalized learning and social development.
If anything about the course is impinging on your ability to learn, please let me know right away.
It is your responsibility to regularly check our Canvas course page for updates.
As you read, review, and reflect on our course materials, feel free to use the Canvas discussion forum feature to share your responses and any related news stories or webpages with our class.
Canvas Calendar: click on individual time slots to sign-up for office hours. You can always drop by my online "office" or "Zoom Room" (during office hours) without an appointment, but you may have to wait.
Attendance Policy
Your substantive participation matters!
Attending an online course is achieved by participating in the course.
This includes contributing to discussions, asking questions, proposing answers, submitting assignments, and collaborating with your peers.
You'll have many opportunities to participate in the coming weeks.
As a general rule, you should plan to login to our Canvas course page at least 2 times a week.
You should also plan to spend at least 3-6 hours each week participating in each weekly Module, depending on the topics we're covering.
Enrolled students absent for 1 or more discussions in the first week(s) may lose their spot in the course.
A Guide to Successful Participation
Here are the brief "rules" we'll follow to guide your participation:
Our weekly content Modules officially open on Tuesdays.
Schedule 1 hour each Tuesday to log in, review the Module and assignments, take note of due dates, and plan your week.
Check-in and interact in the course at least 2 times a week.
Participate in all discussions--the first reply each week is due on Thursday.
An additional participation strategy:
As you work through each of our weekly Modules, create an offline list of questions you have about the course materials.
These can become questions you want to ask in the upcoming class discussion, or during office hours. Ask the questions that you write down.
If you know you'll be away from the course for more than a few days, connect with me (your professor) in advance, so that I know of your plans.
Communication Policy
It's great to hear from you!
I enjoy hearing from you. No question is too small, and there is no such thing as a "stupid question."
It is our expectation that all individuals will demonstrate civil and respectful behavior while a member of this course.
We expressly prohibit any and all linguistic violence:
Abusive language, including threats and slurs
Sexual harrassment
Namecalling
To maintain a safe, secure and respectful environment for all, I reserve the right to take appropriate measures to address abusive, disruptive, inappropriate, or aggressive behavior.
Always put your Section Number in any Canvas message or email!
Please use your Canvas inbox or SMC email account for all correspondence; check email regularly, and allow at least 48 hours for a response.
When sending a file to me via email, or when uploading a file to Canvas, etc., always put your NAME and the assignment title in the file name.
Save your file as “Thomas_1stDraft5MinuteLinguist_LING1”, and then email or upload.
If you find yourself overwhelmed, falling behind, or dealing with other issues that may be getting in the way of your ability to stay on top of the course, please let me know right away!
Submission Policy - Plan on Completing Assignments On Time
Do your best on assignments, so that you can feel proud of the work you submit!
(1) Every assignment has a due date, or a deadline for submission. Late assignments may be rejected, or receive a 10% grade point deduction for each day following the due date and time.
Participants are expected to submit assignments on or before the assigned due date, which, in turn, allows me (your professor) time to review your work and provide meaningful feedback. Due dates have been designed in the course to ensure time is provided to allow you to produce your best work.
(2) Because time management is challenging, you might not succeed in meeting an occasional deadline. But, you may be in luck. If you recognize a due date might be a problem, advocate for your success before the deadline by following these steps:
Identify the problem - take responsibility
If there is an assignment due, you are responsible for turning it in on time. You cannot claim to not have known about an assignment because you were sick and/or absent; late assignments may be rejected.
Contact me (your professor) to politely propose a solution
Let's negotiate, if reasonably possible
(3) Some assignments will require you to use audio and video capabilities in order to participate.
(4) Other assignments may require your written work, using a word processor (e.g., MS Word or Pages).
When uploading an assignment to Canvas, etc., always put your NAME and the assignment title in the file name.
Save your file as “Thomas_1stDraft5MinuteLinguist_LING1”, and then email or upload.
Campus Code of Conduct: Demonstrate Academic Integrity
Everyone should submit their own original work for each assignment and assessment.
Cheating, plagiarism, and disruptive behaviors will not be tolerated in this class.
Any course member engaging in misconduct is subject to disciplinary action.
Any paper based upon the writing or ideas of others should acknowledge every source and voice used.
If you cheat or plagiarize, I will (a) give you a penalty grade on the assignment, (b) fail you on the assignment, or (c) fail you in the class.
If you are not sure whether you are cheating or plagiarizing, please come to me with your questions right away. Please also see the SMC Honor Code and Code of Academic Conduct.
Withdrawal Policy
Please see the Santa Monica College website for all important dates & deadlines.
Any student choosing to “drop” the course is responsible for officially withdrawing on their own.
Online Etiquette
Often referred to as "netiquette," here is a gentle reminder of the interaction practices and rules we'll follow in all of our interactions in this course. Let's be collegial, okay?
See the graphic below for "The Core Rules of Netiquette."
Here's a summary of our Netiquette rules:
Remember the human: Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Don't do anything illegal in our online spaces: Adhere to any rules and laws of your offline location.
You are not the center of cyberspace: As you participate in our discussions, consider that not everyone may share your perspective.
Make yourself look good: Share your expert knowledge & tell us about your speech community(ies).
Never be arrogant or self-righteous: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes.
If you ever feel that someone is not following these rules, please send a private email to me using the Canvas Inbox and describe your concerns.