FASTARC.COM

These are the classes I'm teaching this semester - Spring, 2009.

Click on image or link for specific class information pages.

 

Digital Engagement - MASC638

Computer Lab
Wednessday - 1:30 to 3:30

 

• 

Mobility
Paul Seward's class site

Gravitational Pull
Andrew LeVasseur's class site

 

 

 

Classes 2.1

VCU Honor Code

The VCU Honor System will be strictly enforced in this class.  Cheating, fabricating material or using another’s work without attribution – plagiarism – will earn you and automatic F in the course, and your name will be turned in to appropriate university officials.  The honor policy provides substantial penalties for violation, including expulsion from the University.
 
Unless specified otherwise, all work done for this course is considered “pledged” work, as defined by the Honor System.  Each assignment implicitly carries this pledge from you to me:

“On my honor, I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment.”
 
The full text of the VCU Honor System policies can be found at

http://www.provost.vcu.edu/pdfs/Honor_system_policy.pdf

Commitment to Diversity
It is vital that students in this course, with guidance from the instructor, include in their course work—both written and oral—people and subjects such as ethnic, racial and religious minorities, people with disabilities, the disadvantaged, gay men and lesbians, and other similar groups.  This includes, but is not limited to, developing sensitivity to language and images that may create an appearance of bias.  The intent is to ensure that student work reflects the diversity of the culture, and that students are exposed to diverse ideas and perspectives.  In this class, it is the shared responsibility of the instructor and students to foster an environment that supports free expression.

The VCU School of Mass Communications (the “School”) and the VCU Brandcenter are committed to diversity in all aspects of its program, including providing a climate of inclusion as well as addressing student and faculty hiring and retention, curriculum, research and scholarship, and outreach and service.  Students are encouraged to review the School’s Diversity Plan, which is posted on the School’s website at
http://www.has.vcu.edu/mac
 
Disabilities
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires Virginia Commonwealth University to provide academic adjustments or accommodations for students with documented disabilities.  If you have a disability that requires an academic adjustment or accommodations, you can contact Ms. Joyce Knight, the coordinator of services for students with disabilities.  Ms. Knight’s office is at 907 Floyd Avenue, Suite 102.  Her email address is jbknight@vcu.edu and her phone number is 828-2253.  After meeting with Ms. Knight, you should then meet with me to discuss your needs and how we can address them. 

For more information, see the University’s web page on Services for Students with Disabilities
http://www.students.vcu.edu/dss/

 

 

 

My Course Policies/Expectations:

Writing Style

All papers must be typed, double-spaced with one-inch margins. For papers with sources, please use MLA or APA referencing style or as directed. It is required that papers will be proofread for grammar, punctuation and format errors prior to submission -- but don’t rely on your computer’s spellchecker! They’re just not that smart. These types of errors can reduce the grade on a good paper dramatically. Keep a copy of all papers. Submission of papers via email may be acceptable, depending on the assignment.

Attendance and Participation

Your informed participation in class discussion is crucial to the success of this class. You will be asked to show up on time prepared to address the assigned readings, projects and other assignments. If you are unprepared, you will not be able to fully participate and your grade will reflect this.

My expectations are that you will come to every class, arrive on time, and be prepared to participate; however illnesses and emergencies sometimes arise. Therefore, you are allowed two (2) absences before your final grade is affected. It is in your best interest to inform me when you will be absent. Your final grade will be reduced by one grade level for each absence over two.

Attendance and participation are important, and you cannot effectively learn if you are not present. You will be expected to know material from the assignments as well as supplemental material covered in class. If you miss a class, it is YOUR responsibility to get the notes and any additional information given out the day you missed. An unexcused absence from any in-class writing, test or quiz (including unannounced "pop" quizzes) will result in a “0” for that assignment, and cannot be made up.

Incompletes
An incomplete will only be granted under very stringent conditions, as determined by VCU policy.

Late Assignments

Assignments must be presented on their due dates. If you have a problem with a presentation date, please see me prior to that day to discuss; however, I may not grant an extension. Homework and papers will be accepted up to a week late, but will be dropped by one full grade for every class period it is late. I MAY accept assignments after the one-week time limit, but am under no obligation to do so. Emailed assignments MUST be received by me on the day they are due. Assignments that require posting, such as blog posts, must be posted by their due-date. Only under very special circumstances will make-up work be allowed, and advance notification with appropriate documentation are required (e.g. doctor’s note, college function, etc.). In all cases, it is at the discretion of the instructor to allow make-up work.

Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism

It is expected that you will perform your work in this class in an honest and ethical manner. Individual assignments should reflect your own work. Group assignments should reflect the equal participation of all group members.

Plagiarizing, cheating and interfering with the work of others are grounds for failure in the course and possible disciplinary action at the department, school and/or university level.

Plagiarism as defined in The American Heritage Dictionary is “to use or pass off as one’s own the words or writings of someone else.” This includes, but is not limited to, writings found in books, journals, textbooks, and on the Internet. It also includes underlying code as well as graphic images and other intellectual property on projects.

If you have questions as to the use of a particular piece of intellectual property or the proper crediting of sources, you must see me prior to submission of projects and other assignments.

If you attempt to pass off the writings or projects of someone else as your own, you will receive an F in this class. This is not negotiable.