Standard Course Policies

The following course policies are for the course sections taught by Prof. John Wright.

This policy page was updated 07/16/08.
 

Course Withdrawal:

The Juniata College policy on course withdrawals is that you must have instructor permission and be assigned a WP (withdraw - passing) or WF (withdraw - failing) grade if you want to drop a class after the end of the drop/add period. Your grade will depend on your course average (see Standard Grading Scale below) at the time you withdraw.

After the end of the drop/add period, permission to drop will be at my discretion and will be based on factors such as, but not limited to, attendance, class participation, attempts to do the work, and academic integrity.
 

Attendance:

Attendance is your decision, but it will be noted during the semester and will be considered in calculating the student's final grade.  Missing classes will negatively impact on class participation.  Students are responsible for material covered during their absences. 

The responsibility for making up missed work, scheduling missed exams/quizzes, and covering missed material due to an excused absence lies with the student.  An excused absence, including illness, does NOT automatically provide an excuse for late assignments.  Please alert me as soon as possible if you know you will need to miss a class.
 

Late Assignments:

Students should save any written work, especially computer labs or programs, on an appropriate network drive (typically U: or W:), so it can be accessed throughout campus.  "I saved it on my C: drive" or "my printer was out of toner" are NOT acceptable excuses for late assignments.

Late assignments are accepted at the instructors discretion. If accepted, late homework will be penalized.  Extensions without penalty are more likely to be granted if the instructor is contacted with a reasonable request prior to the due date.  All requests for extensions will be logged (as well as any other "exceptional" requests), and this information will be used in determining the student's final grade.

Late work will not be accepted if the assignment has already been graded and returned.
 

In Class Conduct:

Students are expected to be attentive in class.  In particular, they are expected to participate in the lecture/discussion, and NOT  use any applications (such as email, Netscape or solitaire).  A general rule of thumb to follow is that the student should not be using a keyboard or mouse during lecture.  I will keep track of any instance of a student typing or clicking.  Class participation and in class conduct will be a component in determining the student's final grade.
 

Standard Grading Scale:

I assign grades according to the following table.  For students on the border between grades, I might give them the "benefit of the doubt" after considering their class participation and effort.
92% <= Course Average   A 
90% <= Course Average <    92%  A- 
88% <= Course Average <    90% B+ 
82% <= Course Average <    88%  B 
80% <= Course Average <    82%  B- 
77% <= Course Average <    80% C+ 
72% <= Course Average <    77%  C 
70% <= Course Average <    72%  C- 
67% <= Course Average <    70%  D+ 
62% <= Course Average <    67%  D 
60% <= Course Average <    62%  D- 

For students with a grade on the borderline, achieving benefit of the doubt will mean that you have demonstrated some tangible evidence that you have made an honest attempt to perform.  Some examples include, but are not limited to:
  1. Attending and participating in class (see In Class Conduct and Attendance above).
  2. Doing the suggested homework problems and asking questions if you are having trouble with them.
  3. Turning in all the assignments (on time) and asking questions if you are having trouble with them.
  4. Demonstrating that you have read the pertinent chapters and reviewed your class notes.
  5. PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS.  But, when asking questions, ask well-informed questions.  Demonstrate that you have tried and have thought about a solution or an answer.  Use props or code printouts to help me understand what you are asking and to show that you have tried to find a solution.

If a student says they are "working really hard", but they miss class frequently, miss assignments, or turn in assignments late, then their actions are not consistent with their statement.  I want to give the benefit of the doubt to students who are working hard, but I can only judge effort by tangible evidence..
 

Academic Integrity:

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The work you (and your partner, if applicable) turn in, should be your own work.

Discussing ideas and working on concepts with other students (or groups, if applicable) for an assignment is encouraged.

Sharing solutions or code with other students (or groups) is strictly forbidden.  Using solutions from previous semesters is also forbidden.
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If you are struggling with an assignment, it is much better to ask for help (at the risk of turning in a late assignment), than turning in work that is not your own.
Students are expected to follow the official College policy on Academic Honesty, as described in the Pathfinder.
Offenses include, but are not limited to:
    - receiving an inappropriate amount of help from someone else
    - turning in work by someone else as your own
    - working in groups larger than allowed
    - using solutions from other or previous sections of the course
    - cheating on an exam

Penalties:
1st offense    -  0 on the assignment or test
2nd offense   -  F grade for the course
 

Students with Disabilities:

The Americans With Disabilities Act mandates accessibility in all aspects of the learning environment.  If you have an identified disability and are in need of specific accommodations, please notify me at the start of the course.
   

Open Door Policy:

If you need me for anything, please come talk to me.

If you have questions, please come talk to me.

If you have scheduling conflicts, please come talk to me.

If you have constructive criticism, please come talk to me.
If you have recommendations for improvement, please come talk to me.

If you are enjoying the class, please come talk to me.

In person, by phone, or through e-mail.