Course and Instructor Policies

Classroom expectations

You are expected to have read the assignments before class, and it would be to your benefit to also read them again after class. You are expected to bring a copy of assigned readings for each day’s class, and have them available to refer to. You are expected to listen respectfully to the professor and your fellow students, and participate in class discussions and activities.

Clear failure to abide by these expectations will result in you being asked to leave the classroom and being counted absent for the day.

Contacting the Instructor

I will be available to speak to you for several minutes before and after class each week. I will be fully engaged during class, with plenty of time for questions and discussion. I will be prompt to office hours each week, and will announce any cancellations well in advance. I will answer my phone during office hours unless I am with another student. I will happily make appointments before or after class, or by the appointments website. Generally, I will not respond to emails or phone messages. The only reason to email me would be: (1) to inform me of a genuine emergency situation before or during an exam that will prevent you from being at the exam, or (2) to remind me to do something I promised to do, such as post bonus readings.

Late Work, Make-Up, and Completion

No late work or make-up exams will be allowed without consent of the professor prior to the due/exam date, except in situations where University policy requires it, or in case of truly dire circumstances, where evidence can be provided.

Cheating and Plagiarism

Don’t do it! If you incorporate any work that is not your own into any project that you do, and you do not cite the source properly, this counts as plagiarism. This includes someone doing the work for you, taking work done by another student, verbatim copying of published sources, paraphrasing published work without citation, and paraphrasing in a inappropriate way even with citation. Re-using work created for another course also counts as plagiarism in most contexts. Unless group work is explicitly permitted or required, it is expected that all of the work that you turn in is original and your own, and that any sources that you make use of are correctly cited.

If you are caught cheating or plagiarizing, it is absolutely mandatory for me to turn you in to the Dean of Students Office of Community Standards and Conduct.

Class Attendance

Attending class is mandatory. Missed classes may count against your final grade, and egregious absenteeism will be grounds for an F in the course. Homework assignments due in class can only be turned in personally the day of that class. In-class assignments and activities likewise cannot be made up. Tardy arrival or early departure will also count against you.

Electronic Devices

TBD

Students who require devices for accessibility purposes beyond what our policy allows should bring a note from the Office of Student AccessAbility.

What to Call Me

I prefer to be called “Matt,” “Matthew,” “Professor Brown,” or “Dr. Brown.” My preferred pronouns are he/him/his.

Concealed Handguns on Campus

As of August 1, 2016, concealed handgun license holders are permitted to carry their weapons onto the campus and into the general buildings of the University. Unlicensed individuals may not do so, and unconcealed weapons are not allowed. You are not required to disclose whether your status as licensed carrier, nor whether or not you are carrying a handgun at any particular time, to me or anyone other than an official peace officer.

Nevertheless, I ask that you voluntarily refrain from bringing weapons into the classroom. Furthermore, I will designate my office as an exclusion zone, prohibiting the concealed carry of a handgun in that space. You will be provided with oral notification to that effect upon visiting my office.

University Policies

The information contained in the following link constitutes the University’s policies and procedures segment of the course syllabus: http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies

A syllabus is not a suicide pact. This descriptions, timelines, and policies contained in this syllabus are subject to change in the interest of improving the quality of the course, at the discretion of the professor. Adequate notice will be provided for any changes.