Course Policies
GRADING. I start grading assuming you are all able to earn a “B” if you do the readings, attend class, and complete the assignments reasonably well. If your class engagement or any of the assignments are less than what I expect, I lower the grade; if you exceed my expectations, then I raise the grade. At Wellesley College, “Grade A (4.00) is given to students who meet with conspicuous excellence every demand that can fairly be made by the course.”
WORKLOAD EXPECTATIONS. “Workload” for this course includes attending class, doing the readings, and the assignments. You can expect to spend 3-5 hours outside of class on readings and prep for class each week, plus additional time on your assignments and supplemental activities.
REQUIRED CITATION STYLE. This course is a social science course. Each discipline within the social sciences has its own guidelines for writing style. For this course, you may use the APA (psychology) (see Purdue's OWL) or Chicago author-date (sociology) citation styles ( See link, click on the author-date tab), as long as you are consistent throughout the paper. The College also provides citation guides.
Do not use MLA or CSE citation styles; do not use footnote styles.
ATTENDANCE/ABSENCE POLICY. This class depends on full participation of all the students. You will also find that you learn much more if you attend the classes. Therefore, I will take attendance every class session. Because we only meet once a week for this course, you are allowed to miss one class, no questions asked. If possible, please let me know before any missed class that you will not be in class that day. If you miss a second class (even for illness), you need to speak with me and your Class Dean and work with me to meet your course responsibilities. Due dates for work during this period may be extended at the professor’s discretion.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES AND ABSENCES. Please review the syllabus and see if there are any dates or assignments that conflict with your observances. The College has a new web app that you can use to notify instructors of anticipated absences – you must follow up with your instructors to make arrangements. Religious observance absences in this class are excused absences, if you notify me in advance; work is generally due one week later.
FLU SEASON. If you have a fever or the flu, DO NOT attend class until you have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducing medication. Your classmates and professors will thank you. Notify your Class Dean and professors if you are too ill to attend class.
WELLESLEY COLLEGE HONOR CODE. This course respects the College honor code; please learn more about what this means at Wellesley. That means your written work is your work. I encourage you to use tutors, to talk with your classmates about assignments and to have others read drafts of your written work, but the final product should be your writing. Group projects should reflect the work of all members of the group.
COURSE CONTENT NOTE. At times this semester we may be discussing topics that may be difficult for some students. I expect that all students will be respectful of each other in these conversations and will not share personal information about other students outside of class. If any of you ever feel the need to step outside during one of these discussions, either for a short time or for the rest of the class session, you may always do so without academic penalty. However, you will be responsible for any material you miss; please arrange to get notes from another student. If you know that attending the class might be harmful to your emotional wellbeing, please email me before the class and request a “personal absence” (no details required) - you will be excused from the class and the readings.
ACCOMMODATIONS. If you have a disability or condition, either long-term or temporary, and need reasonable academic adjustments in this course, please contact Accessibility and Disability Resources to get a letter outlining your accommodation needs, and submit that letter to me. You should request accommodations as early as possible in the semester, or before the semester begins. If you need immediate accommodations, please arrange to meet with me as soon as possible. Accessibility and Disability Resources can be reached by email, by scheduling an appointment online at their website, or by visiting their offices on the 3rd floor of Clapp Library.
TITLE IX POLICY ON SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
Sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, and stalking are prohibited and will not be tolerated by Wellesley. Wellesley is committed to providing a safe environment in which all students can thrive as they pursue their educational goals. The College encourages students to learn about Wellesley’s Sexual Misconduct Policy in detail, familiarize themselves with Title IX resources, help educate each other, and continue to look out for one another.
If you have been sexually assaulted or experienced sexual misconduct, this PDF is a quick reference to your resources and options.
Students should be aware that faculty and most staff are required to notify the Title IX Coordinator, Janet Elie Faulkner, if we learn of any sexual misconduct. Students who do not wish to have these issues disclosed to the College should speak with confidential resources who are the only offices at the College that do not have this same reporting obligation. On campus, confidential resources include Health Services (781-283-2810 available 24/7), the Stone Center Counseling Services (781-283-2839 available 24/7) and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (781-283-2685).