Course Requirements
Course requirements are subject to change
Attendance:_____________________________________________
Attending our class sessions regularly shows respect not only for your professor, but for your peers and for the very mission of the course. Some of you have indicated that you might miss some classes, and I will make virtual options available on a case-by-case basis. Please note, however, that as a primarily in-person class, your presence is generally expected. Please note the procedure for earning participation grades if you do miss class under the blogging assignment sheet.
Assignments and Grades_______________________________________
Your grade in this course will reflect your performance in five broad categories as described below. You can earn a maximum of 1000 points in this course. You can read more about the major assignments under the “Assignments” tab as details become available.
- Presence—10 @ 20 points each = 200 points / 20%: I will often ask a “reflective engagement” question at the start of class to frame our minds towards that material at hand. This also gives students an opportunity to generate material to share in discussion. Your “presence” score is determined by your consistent and thoughtful class engagement. If you speak less in class or miss a class, you can earn these points by commenting on the blog posts for the relevant week within a day of the normally scheduled class time.
- The Post-45 blog—8 @ 50 points each = 400 points / 40%: Over the course of the semester, students will compose 8 blog posts of 750-1000 words each in three categories:
- Final Project–400 points / 40%: The final project will be an open-ended research-based project. This project will be roughly equivalent to a 15-17 page research essay, though you will have the opportunity to work beyond the traditional research-paper format to work in other genres.
Grading Policy: I will add up all the points you’ve earned in the course and give grades based on the following table:
- A-Range: 970-1000 = A+, 930-969 = A, 900-929 = A-
- B-Range: 870-899 = B+, 830-869 = B, 800-829 = B-
- C-Range: 770-799 = C+, 730-769 = C, 700-729 = C-
- D-Range: 670-699 = D+, 630-669 = D, 600-629 = D-
- <600 = F
The Graduate Grading System
Students receive letter grades for every course in which they enroll. Each letter grade and its equivalent numerical quality point value are listed below. This grading system is determined by the level of the student, not the course.
| Letter | Grade | Quality Points |
| A | Superior | 4.000 |
| B+ | Very Good | 3.500 |
| B | Good | 3.000 |
| C+ | Fair | 2.500 |
| C | Acceptable | 2.000 |
| F | Failure | 0.000 |
| XXF | Failure Due to Academic Dishonesty | 0.000 |
| RA-RF | Repeat; include GPA/exclude hours* |
The statute of limitations for grade changes is two calendar years from the original grade submission deadline. After this period of time has elapsed, no grade issued to a student may be changed. Requests for any change of grade should be initiated by the faculty member who assigned the grade. All requests must be adequately documented. Grades will not be changed for a student, once that student has graduated and the degree has been posted. In cases of submitted grade dispute grievances that extend beyond the posting of the degree date, the Provost (or the Provost’s designee) may make exceptions to this policy. The decision of the Provost is final.
COURCE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:___________________________
Dual Submission Policy: The same paper may not be submitted for a grade in more than one class.
Plagiarism and the Honor Code: What follows is quoted verbatim and reflects official CofC policy:
Lying, cheating, attempted cheating, and plagiarism are violations of our Honor Code that, when identified, are investigated. Each incident will be examined to determine the degree of deception involved.
Incidents where the instructor determines the student’s actions are related more to a misunderstanding will handled by the instructor. A written intervention designed to help prevent the student from repeating the error will be given to the student. The intervention, submitted by form and signed both by the instructor and the student, will be forwarded to the Dean of Students and placed in the student’s file.
Cases of suspected academic dishonesty will be reported directly by the instructor and/or others having knowledge of the incident to the Dean of Students. A student found responsible by the Honor Board for academic dishonesty will receive a XF in the course, indicating failure of the course due to academic dishonesty. This grade will appear on the student’s transcript for two years after which the student may petition for the X to be expunged. The student may also be placed on disciplinary probation, suspended (temporary removal) or expelled (permanent removal) from the College by the Honor Board.
Students should be aware that unauthorized collaboration–working together without permission– is a form of cheating. Unless the instructor specifies that students can work together on an assignment, quiz and/or test, no collaboration during the completion of the assignment is permitted. Other forms of cheating include possessing or using an unauthorized study aid (which could include accessing information via a cell phone or computer), copying from others’ exams, fabricating data, and giving unauthorized assistance.
Research conducted and/or papers written for other classes cannot be used in whole or in part for any assignment in this class without obtaining prior permission from the instructor.
Students can find the complete Honor Code and all related processes in the Student Handbook.
Disability/Access Statements :
Any student eligible for and needing accommodations because of a disability is requested to speak with the professor during the first two weeks of class or as soon as the student has been approved for services so that reasonable accommodations can be arranged.
Generative AI:
Use of generative AI is not permitted for use on blog posts and major projects.
OAKS
OAKS, including Gradebook, will be used for this course throughout the semester to provide the syllabus and class materials and grades for each assignment, which will be regularly posted.
Recording of Classes (via ZOOM)
Sp,e sessions will be recorded via both voice and video recording. By attending and remaining in this class, the student consents to being recorded. Recorded class sessions are for instructional use only and may not be shared with anyone who is not enrolled in the class
Inclement Weather, Pandemic or Substantial Interruption of Instruction
If in-person classes are suspended, faculty will announce to their students a detailed plan for a change in modality to ensure the continuity of learning. All students must have access to a computer equipped with a web camera, microphone, and Internet access. Resources are available to provide students with these essential tools.
Inclusion:
The College of Charleston offers many resources for LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff along with their allies.
Preferred Name and Pronoun Information
On Campus Gender Inclusive facilities
College of Charleston Reporting Portals
National Resources for Faculty & Staff
Documenting LGBTQ Life in the Lowcountry (CofC Addlestone Library Special Collections Project)
College of Charleston Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)
Articles about CofC and LGBTQ+ Issues
Statement on “Religious Accommodation for Students”
The College of Charleston community is enriched by students of many faiths that have various religious observances, practices, and beliefs. We value student rights and freedoms, including the right of each student to adhere to individual systems of religion. The College prohibits discrimination against any student because of such student’s religious belief or any absence thereof.
The College acknowledges that religious practices differ from tradition to tradition and that the demands of religious observances in some traditions may cause conflicts with student schedules. In affirming this diversity, like many other colleges and universities, the College supports the concept of “reasonable accommodation for religious observance” in regard to class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and other academic work requirements, unless the accommodation would create an undue hardship on the College. Faculty are required, as part of their responsibility to students and the College, to ascribe to this policy and to ensure its fair and full implementation.
The accommodation request imposes responsibilities and obligations on both the individual requesting the accommodation and the College. Faculty members are expected to reasonably accommodate individual religious practices. Examples of reasonable accommodations for student absences might include: rescheduling of an exam or giving a make-up exam for the student in question; altering the time of a student’s presentation; allowing extra-credit assignments to substitute for missed class work or arranging for an increased flexibility in assignment dates. Regardless of any accommodation that may be granted, students are responsible for satisfying all academic objectives, requirements and prerequisites as defined by the instructor and by the College
See calendar of religious holidays here.