INSTRUCTOR GUIDELINES & POLICIES
ATTENDANCE POLICY
The LSC-CyFair English Department values student attendance because attendance:
• establishes basic classroom expectations
• promotes active learning
• encourages student engagement with a diverse campus population
• verbally reinforces written materials
• efficiently uses instructor time
Due to the nature of the course and the in-class exercises, after more than 3 absences, negative consequences will result to student’s grade. Communication with instructor is paramount.
Missing 9 days, or 20% of course, results in a student failing the course. No exceptions.
Emergency situations do happen, but keep in mind: an absence is an absence. For any medical or legal emergency that occurs the student will need to provide documentation.
ASSIGNMENTS
Students will write a minimum of six full essays (or comparable writing exercises), some of which will be written in class. The six papers include—
• 3 critical essays
• a poetry dissertation essay
• a final comparison/contrast essay
• a typed research paper (final project)
There will be in-class assignments and occasional homework. We will have several reading quizzes as well. Completing these assignments earn you points. Since these are based on specific lectures, you must be present on the day the in-class assignment is given and collected.
No late work will be accepted for this category.
LATE PAPER POLICY
Since the progress of this class depends on essays turned in on time, late essays will be penalized ten points for each course day that they are late. If you miss class when an essay is due, your
grade will show accordingly. After a week (3 class days) late papers will not be accepted.
MISSED EXAMS POLICY
Depending on circumstances, missed examinations will be given within a week of scheduled test during a scheduled appointment.
CELL PHONE / TEXT MESSENGER / LAPTOP POLICY
Cell phones must be silent in class. If an important call arrives, take it into the hall quickly.
On the other hand, no text messengers in the classroom. You will be asked to leave the room
and marked as absent.
Laptops are permitted of course, so long as they are used without distractions.
PLAGIARISM POLICY
If clear evidence of academic dishonesty is found for any assignment, a 0 (0 points) for the
assignment will be recorded and the English Department Chair will be notified of the incident and the grade. If a second incident of academic dishonesty occurs, an F for the course grade will be recorded and the English Department Chair notified of the incident and the grade. |