Statements for Course Syllabus

Chris M. Smith

PLAGIARISM STATEMENT:  Plagiarism is the representation of another
person's ideas or writing as one's own.  Cases of cheating and/or
plagiarism are handled in accordance with the University policy (see
Student Handbook).  A grade of "F" will be assigned for any student
assignment, test, quiz, exam, project, or lab assignment in which
cheating or plagiarism is proven, and an "F" will be given in the
course. See also the Policy on Academic Honesty (Section 409 of the
Handbook).


AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT STATEMENT:  If you are a student
who is disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act
and require assistance or support services, please seek assistance
through the Center for Disability Services.  A CDS counselor will
coordinate these services.


EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:  No person shall, on the grounds of
race, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age, or disability,
be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied benefits
of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program
or activity conducted by Georgia State University.


AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT:  Georgia State University adheres
to affirmative action policies designed to promote diversity and
equal opportunity for all faculty and students.


STATEMENT:  This course syllabus provides a general plan for the
course; deviations may be necessary.  For example, please check all
dates and times in Georgia State University publications.


ACADEMIC RESPECT STATEMENT:  The university exists to foster educational
excellence.  To this end, a classroom atmosphere that supports learning
must be maintained.  Students are expected to be active, attentive
participants in the class.  Students are also expected to abide by
class policies and procedures and to treat faculty and other students
in a professional, respectful manner.  Students are expected to be
familiar with the student conduct code published in the Student Handbook.


STATEMENT:  The student is responsible for all administrative
announcements made during the regular class period, whether or not
the student is actually present for class.  This includes but is
not limited to changing test dates, adjusting the material on a
particular test, etc. etc. etc.  Please use caution in this matter.
Be organized!

STATEMENT:  Tests in this course will have various and very specific
instructions which must be adhered to by the student.  These could include
instructions like "do not write on certain sheets" (except for your name),
"write on one side of certain sheets," etc.  I am extraordinarily
particular and thus I reserve the right to not grade any test and to assign
a grade of "zero" for a test on which a student does not follow directions
and/or instructions.  Further, tests and the final exam are scheduled.
Thus, if you don't like the test dates (especially the day and time of the
final exam), then please take a different section of the course.  As
described elsewhere on this syllabus, we will not have any "make up" tests
this semester, even for valid reasons like illness.  We simply will
disregard the lowest test score and that is it.  So if you miss one test
due to illness, things are not ruined for you.  I know these are rigid
policies, but teaching and grading are harder than you might realize.

STATEMENT:  It is extremely important that I be able to read your
handwriting on attendance sheets, tests, etc.  Please write neatly.  If I
can't read your name on the attendance sheet, then you will not be counted
as present.  If I can't read something you wrote on a test, then you will
not receive credit for it.  You may not attempt to clarify something you
wrote on a test after I have returned the graded test papers to the class.
Thank you for your caution in this regard.

STATEMENT:  The student is responsible for making sure that he/she is
properly registered for this section of this course.  If the student is
not properly enrolled, the student certainly runs the risk of not
receiving a grade for the course.

STATEMENT:  Chatting is not allowed during class.  If any student is
repeatedly asked to refrain from chatting during a given class period, the
student will be commanded to leave the classroom for the remainder of the
day's class.  If this action occurs on several different days with the same
student, the student will be commanded to leave the class permanently, and
the student will receive a grade of "F" for the course. Please take
courtesy toward other students and the instructor seriously.

STATEMENT:   Each student is responsible for obtaining a copy of the
course syllabus regardless of whether or not they atttend class on the
first day of the semester.

STATEMENT:   Each student is responsible for all information provided on
all parts of the course web site (specific to her or his section of the
course).