Assumptions and Expectations
Although this is a 100 level, introductory or “survey” course you should not expect it to be easy. It
is an information intensive course which will require you to put in as much if not more effort than your other
classes. You must be prepared to read and understand the written material and to write well enough to successfully
articulate your ideas clearly and persuasively. The following assumptions and expectations are designed to
help you to learn and do well in this course. As a student in this class you are expected to:
- Attend class regularly and on time. If your personal schedule prevents you from regularly attending,
arriving on time and/or requires you to leave early, you should not be enrolled in this course.
- Come to class prepared for that day, having read the assignments, formulated questions and bringing pens or
pencils and paper for notes.
- Avoid activities that may disrupt class or distract other students and the instructor (listening to music,
reading, talking, using pagers or cell phones, eating, walking around, sleeping). Every student has the right to
learn as well as the responsibility not to deprive others of their right to learn. If you become aware of any activity
that interferes with your ability to get the most from this class quietly ask those responsible for the distractions
to stop. If that fails to resolve the problem, please let me know.
- Study regularly and avoid “cramming.” As a general rule you should expect to spend three hours studying
outside of class for every scheduled hour of class time, or between one and a half and two hours every day of the
week.
- Bring at least one blank 8½” x 7" 8 Leaf 16 page blue Examination Book and two pens to every exam.
- Submit only work that is your own effort and avoids plagiarism or any form of cheating. (“Plagiarism”
is copying, paraphrasing or referring to ANY work that is not your own without giving credit to the original author.)
- Submit all work required for the course on time and in final, finished form following the style sheet on the
Departmental web site and the instructions provided for the assignment.
Last Updated: June 18, 2001