COURSE POLICIES

ATTENDANCE

Attendance in this class is presumed. The successful achievement of the class objectives can only be assured by the active and responsible participation of every class member at all times. Therefore, all absences from class will be recorded.

Students who do not attend the first two meetings of a Tuesday-Thursday course or the first three meetings of a Monday-Wednesday-Friday course may be administratively disenrolled. This is a College of Communication policy and applies to this course.

The accumulation of more than six absences, for whatever reason, will constitute grounds for automatic failure of the class. Therefore, students are advised to save absences for emergencies or unavoidable situations only.

Students are personally responsible for discovering material and announcements made in class during their absence. Information presented in class is presumed. Students who have been absent are not excused from course work merely because they have failed to become informed about it.

Except in the most extraordinary circumstances, students who have been absent from class will not be allowed to make up any in-class work. Students failing to speak on the date they have been assigned will receive zero points for the assignment. Students failing to attend class on the days for which other students are assigned to speak will be assessed a point reduction in their own grade for that particular assignment.

In conclusion, though the attendance policy for this course may accommodate genuine emergency situations or unavoidable conflicts with scheduled classes, it does not accommodate non-attendance. Students who find such a policy constraining should withdraw from this course.

CLASS POLICIES

This course is a lecture/discussion class. Please remember that students are expected to consult the course schedule and to do the assigned reading before class so that we can have meaningful class discussions rather than tedious lectures of the material. Do not expect class time to be used rereading the assignments. For maximum benefit from the class (and of course for the best possible grade), students must not only prepare for the class, but also come ready to ask questions, to discuss the material, and to participate fully in the class sessions. We shall be discussing authors and their views, not reviewing answers. Therefore, everyone will be urged to voice ideas and to ask questions.

The Code of Student Conduct requires that students behave in a manner that is conducive to a teaching/learning environment. Students who engage in behavior that is disruptive or obstructive to the teaching/learning environment will be subject to disciplinary sanctions outlined by the Code of Student Conduct. Behavior regarded as disruptive or obstructive to the classroom includes, but is not limited to, the following: cell phones and beepers, verbal or physical abuse, threats, stalking, intimidation, harassment, possession of controlled substances, possession of alcoholic beverages.

All assignments and examinations are on the course schedule, and we should be able to adhere to this schedule closely. Any significant deviations from the schedule will be announced in class. Any student who has an unavoidable conflict with a scheduled assignment or examination must arrange with the instructor IN ADVANCE an alternative time. Failure to assume this responsibility will result in the student not receiving credit for what was missed. Legitimate medical emergencies that arise should be reported to the instructor NO LATER THAN THE DESIGNATED DATE for the assignment or the examination and MUST HAVE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS immediately upon return to class.

POLICIES OF THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SCIENCES

The College of Communication does not permit SMOKING, EATING, OR DRINKING IN THIS ROOM. Though others may violate this policy, it is the rule. Please do not bring food or drinks with you into the room.

The College requires that all students enrolled in upper division courses (300/400 level) have a 2.0 GPA overall. Students who do not have the 2.0 GPA may be administratively disenrolled on or before the first day of classes.

Communication majors must earn a "C" or better in all required and elective courses in their majors. A "C" or better is required in all external courses required by the major, whether they serve as a prerequisite to a major course or are simply required by the major. This means a "C" of any kind.

"A university is a place where the universality of the human experience manifests itself." -- Albert Einstein

In keeping with the spirit of Einstein's viewpoint, the College is committed to providing an atmosphere of learning that is representative of and tolerant of a variety of cultural and intellectual perspectives. In this class, students are expected not only to be tolerant of different perspectives, but also interested in objectively examining such perspectives.

Sexual harassment is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated at The University of Alabama. The University's policy regarding sexual harassment is clear and explicit. It may be viewed at <http://www.ua.edu/academic/facsen/handbook/append-i.html>.

Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the Office of Disability Services, 348-4285. Necessary course-related accommodation or special needs should be discussed with the instructor at the beginning of the term.