Use of Technology: We will be using both MYLMU Connect, alongside a class regularly. We will cover how to access these platforms in class, but ultimately, you are responsible for knowing how to navigate these resources. If you are confused, ask for help before the assigned reading is due—from either of your instructors (Dr. Rodriguez y Gibson or Dr. Perez), the library, the help desk (for MYLMU), or one of your peers.
Electronic devices: You may use a laptop or tablet (but not a phone: they are too small to be effective) to take notes and for referencing electronic texts in class. When it is necessary to take physical notes on a hard copy, I will advise you to print out the reading and bring it to class. You will learn how to take notes both on paper, and electronically. However, if electronic devices become distractions in class, I will rescind permission to use them in class. Multitasking in class is unacceptable. Email, and social media are as bad as texting: if you’re doing any of these in class, it will adversely impact your participation grade.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OINa46HeWg8 “I Forgot My Phone”
• Email Communication. At times I will communicate with the entire class using campus email systems, so it is essential that you regularly check your lion.lmu.edu email address or forward your lion account email to your preferred email address.
Policy on Late Work. Late work will suffer not only grade deductions (by at least a full letter grade on the assignment) but will also get less timely feedback. Extensions are available, but you have to ask for one at least 24 hours in advance, and are granted at the instructors’ discretion. Likewise, emergencies will be handled at the instructors’ discretion.
UNIVERSITY WIDE POLICIES
Work-load policy. LMU’s credit hour policy states: “At Loyola MarymountUniversity, one credit hour is defined as a minimum of 3 hours of work by an average student per week for a 15-week semester (i.e., 45 hours for a full semester), supervised by an instructor, represented in intended learning outcomes, and verified by evidence of student
achievement” Since this is a 3 credit course, that means that you should expect to put in on average 9 hours of work per week on this course. This includes in-class time and out of class preparation, and everything else you do for this course. You can find the credit hour policy online at: http://www.lmu.edu/Assets/LMU+Credit+Hour+Policy_Final.pdf
Academic Honesty. Academic dishonesty is an extremely serious matter, with serious consequences that can include receiving no credit for an assignment, failing the class, or even expulsion. It is never permissible to turn in any work that has been copied from another student or copied from a source (including Internet) without properly acknowledging the source. You will learn how to use research ethically, as well as proper citation formatting as part of the information literacy portion of this course.
It is your responsibility to make sure that your work meets the standard of academic honesty set forth in the “LMU Honor Code and Process” which appears in the LMU Bulletin 2010-2011 http://www.lmu.edu/about/services/registrar/Bulletin/Bulletins_in_PDF_Format.htm.
Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act who need reasonable modifications, special assistance, or accommodations in this course should promptly direct their request to the Disability Support Services Office. Any student who currently has a documented disability (physical, learning, or psychological) needing academic accommodations should contact the Disability Services Office (Daum Hall Room 224, 310-338-4535) as early in the semester as possible. All discussions will remain confidential. Please visit http://www.lmu.edu/dss for additional information.
Classroom Respect. During the course of any spirited conversation, emotions can run high. This goes double in a class where we address potentially controversial topics. It is especially important for us to create and maintain a safe and respectful learning environment. We might be uncomfortable, but that’s OK. The key is maintaining the respectful, safe nature of our space. As an LMU Lion, by the Lion’s Code, you are pledged to join the discourse of the academy with honesty of voice and integrity of scholarship and to show respect for staff, professors, and other students.
For more information, you can read more at:
1. The LMU Student Affairs brochure Disruptive and Threatening Student Behavior (Fall 2010), which states “Disruptive behavior which is persistent or significantly interferes with classroom activities may be subject to disciplinary action. A student may be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs if their behavior constitutes a violation of the conduct code.”
2. The Lion’s Code (http://studentaffairs.lmu.edu/administration/judicialaffairs/studentcodespolicies/)
3. LMU’s Community Standards (see link under 2. for the Student Conduct Code, Section IV. D.).
Emergency Preparedness: To report an emergency or suspicious activity, contact the LMU Department of Public Safety by phone (x222 or 310-338-2893) or at the nearest emergency call box. In the event of an evacuation, follow the evacuation signage throughout the building to the designated safe refuge area where you will receive further instruction from Public Safety or a Building Captain. For more safety information and preparedness tips, visit http://www.lmu.edu/emergency
Please note that assignments are due the day they are listed. Unless otherwise indicated, all readings will be posted on MYLMU. You must bring an annotated copy to class. It may be electronic or paper.
Tentative Nature of the syllabus. Please note that there will be changes made to the calendar and they will be posted electronically and announced in class.