COURSE POLICIES

Academic Integrity ADA Statement Attendance Grading Policy
Grade Appeals Late Work Professionalism  

Professionalism

A survey of corporate recruiters listed four communication skills (writing, speaking, listening, and interpersonal communicating) in the top five criteria employers want in their employees.  .This course is intended to help you develop all four of those skills to  prepare for the professional world.  As such, it is expected that you will use the opportunity to practice professional norms.  In keeping with BCG division policy, English is the official language of this course.  You should speak Standard English at all times while in this class.  Slang and vulgar or profane language are not acceptable in the workplace and they are not acceptable in this class.  I also expect you to display professional courtesy to your classmates. 

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Attendance

 You are expected to be in class on time and to participate in class fully.  There are times, of course, when illness, emergency, or a University-sanctioned activity may cause you to miss class.  If you present a legitimate, documented excuse, you may be given an excused absence.  Please let me know in advance, if possible, that you will not be attending class.  If you cannot reach me, please leave a message in the BCG division office (979-1233, B-102).  The final decision about excusing an absence rests with the instructor.  Excessive absences will be reported to the vice president for academic affairs.  If you miss more than 10 days in a MWF class or 7 days of a TR class without an excuse, you will fail the course.  

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Academic Integrity

I expect you to do your own work for this class.  Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses of academic integrity and are taken seriously, both by this instructor and by the University.  If you are caught using someone else’s work (whether professional or student) as your own or helping someone else to cheat, you will receive a grade of ZERO for that assignment and will be reported to the chair of the BCG division. If you are caught plagiarizing or cheating a second time, you will receive a grade of “F” for the course and will be reported to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  If you have ANY DOUBTS about whether you are doing the right thing in terms of citing sources or other issues of academic integrity, come see me – it is much better to sort out the issue BEFORE it is a problem!!

For more information on academic integrity and the University’s policies concerning violations of academic integrity, consult the student handbook.

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Late Work

All dates for assignments are clearly marked on this syllabus, and you will be given written instructions including the due date for each assignment.  Therefore, I expect you to complete your assignments on time.  Late assignments will be accepted within one week of the original due date; however, a 25% penalty will be assessed on late work.  Late work will not be accepted after one week.  If you are involved in a University-sponsored activity (such as athletics), please let me know during the first week of classes so we can arrange your assignments around your schedule.

Many activities for this class will be performed during class time.  NO MAKEUP will be allowed for in-class activities missed because of an unexcused absence.  If you have an excused absence from class (see above), you may be allowed to do an alternative assignment.  However, you must request and make up the alternative assignment within one week of your absence.  No makeup will be allowed after one week.

f you are having problems that are interfering with your ability to keep up and learn in this class, please come talk to me.  Don’t allow these problems to become an excuse for poor academic performance.  Remember, IT IS ULTIMATELY YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP UP WITH ASSIGNMENTS!!!!!!

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Grading Policy

Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

A 100-93.5%
A- 93.49%-89.5%
B+ 89.49%-86.5% 
B 86.49%-82.5%
B- 82.49%-79.5%  
C+ 79.49%-76.5%
C 76.49%-71.5%
C- 71.49%-69.5%
D+ 69.49%-65.5%
D 65.49%-61.5%
D- 61.49%=60.0%
F 59.99% and below

Grade estimates will be given to you at midterm, but you are welcome to come discuss your grade with me at any time.

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Grade Appeal Policy

If you have questions about a grade, you may meet with me to discuss the grade.  In order to make the meeting effective, compare your work to the grading criteria on the assignment sheet or this syllabus before coming to talk to me.  Then make a list of the points you feel should be discussed.  Bring the list to the meeting.  If you have a valid case, the grade may be changed.  The final decision, however, depends on the instructor’s judgment.

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ADA Statement

If any member of the class has a documented disability and needs special accommodations, I will work with the student and/or Student Support Services or the Jones Learning Center to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure the student of a fair opportunity to succeed in this class.  Please advise me of the disability and the desired accommodations within the first week of the semester.

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