Course and University Policies
On this page you will find course and university policies concerning:
- Public Health
- Academic Integrity
- Access and Accommodations
- Religious Accommodations
- Absence from Class
- Late Work
- Technology
- Sex- and Gender-based Violence and Harassment
- Safety
Public Health
COVID-19, the flu, and RSV continue to circulate within our community. According to current UW policy Links to an external site., face coverings are "optional in most indoor locations" but "remain a useful tool in helping to limit the spread of COVID-19" and other illnesses. For other recommendations please see this update from the UW Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases. I will not be wearing a mask while lecturing because the mask impedes the audience's understanding, but will wear one at other times. You are welcome to wear a mask in the classroom, for your own safety and that of others. You are expected to respect university policies and others' choices about face coverings.
Please wear a mask if you come to in-person office hours. If you prefer not to do so, I'm happy to arrange meetings via Zoom.
Stay at home if you have any symptoms of cold, flu, or COVID.
Academic Integrity
The University of Washington Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-121) defines prohibited academic and behavioral conduct and describes how the University holds students accountable as they pursue their academic goals. More information can be found online at: https://www.washington.edu/studentconduct Links to an external site.
Academic integrity is part of your responsibility to our shared learning community and essential to your own growth as a scholar. If you’re uncertain about whether something constitutes academic misconduct, don’t hesitate to ask me. I am willing to discuss any questions you might have.
Acts of academic misconduct may include but are not limited to:
- Cheating (working collaboratively on quizzes/exams and discussion submissions, sharing answers, and previewing quizzes/exams)
- Plagiarism (representing the work of others as your own without giving appropriate credit to the original author(s). Note that this includes using LLM-based chatbots such as ChatGPT on any class assignment unless specifically asked to do so.
- Unauthorized collaboration (working with each other on assignments)
Concerns about these or other behaviors prohibited by the Student Conduct Code will be referred to the appropriate campus office for investigation and resolution.
Access and Accommodations
The University of Washington is committed to creating inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please activate your accommodations via myDRS so we can discuss how they will be implemented in this course. If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), contact DRS directly to set up an Access Plan. Contact DRS at disability.uw.edu Links to an external site..
Religious Accommodations
Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy Links to an external site.). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request Links to an external site.).
Absence from Class
You are expected to attend and participate in class meetings.
If you anticipate being absent from class due to a Religious Accommodation activity, complete the Religious Accommodations request process by the second Friday of the quarter.
If you anticipate missing class due to attendance at academic conferences or field trips, or participation in university-sponsored activities including athletic events, please inform me via email ahead of the absence.
To protect student privacy and the integrity of the academic experience, you are not required to provide a medical excuse note to justify an absence from class due to illness.
If you miss a class meeting, you can receive participation points by submitting via email one page of typed notes on the assigned readings and reading questions. Photos or screenshots of hand-written notes are not accepted. Unless I have approved other arrangements in writing (email), notes must be sent within five days of the class in question. You can receive participation credit for submitting notes a maximum of twice during the term, unless I have approved other arrangements in writing (email).
Late Work
The three quizzes must be taken in class as scheduled, with no make-ups allowed. The two take-home exams and the (optional) research paper will not be accepted after the stated deadline. Late posting assignments will be docked 10% after the deadline, and an additional 20% after 48 hours; no late postings will be accepted after Wednesday 3/6, the last day of class.
Technology
In-class exercises will require that you have a device that allows you to connect with Canvas during class—a phone, tablet, or laptop.
You are expected to have access to assigned texts during class discussions; your internet-connected digital device can be used for this purpose as well.
Out of respect for your instructor and your fellow learners, please refrain from using digital devices during class time for any purposes not directly related to the current class activity. Use of devices for other purposes (emailing, social media, etc.) may reduce your participation grade.
Use of large language model-based chatbots such as ChatGPT can be fun and occasionally even helpful, but regular use subverts the fundamental goals of this course, i.e. the development of your own knowledge and analytical skills. Any use of such programs in work you submit for this course must be acknowledged. Unacknowledged use constitutes academic misconduct and will be dealt with as such.
A university guide to technology support and resources can be found here.
Sex- and Gender-based Violence and Harassment
UW, through numerous policies Links to an external site., prohibits sex- and gender-based violence and harassment, and we expect students, faculty, and staff to act professionally and respectfully in all work, learning, and research environments.
For support, resources, and reporting options related to sex- and gender-based violence or harassment, visit UW Title IX’s webpage Links to an external site., specifically the Know Your Rights & Resources Links to an external site. guide.
Please know that if you choose to disclose information to me about sex- or gender-based violence or harassment, I will connect you (or the person who experienced the conduct) with resources and individuals who can best provide support and options. You can also access those resources directly:
- Confidential: Confidential advocates Links to an external site. will not share information with others unless given express permission by the person who has experienced the harm or when required by law.
- Private and/or anonymous: SafeCampus Links to an external site. provides consultation and support and can connect you with additional resources if you want them.You can contact SafeCampus anonymously or share limited information when you call.
Please note that some senior leaders and other specified employees have been identified as “Officials Required to Report. Links to an external site.” If an Official Required to Report learns of possible sex- or gender-based violence or harassment, they are required to call SafeCampus and report all the details they have in order to ensure that the person who experienced harm is offered support and reporting options.
Safety
Call SafeCampus at 206-685-7233 anytime – no matter where you work or study – to anonymously discuss safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others. SafeCampus’s team of caring professionals will provide individualized support, while discussing short- and long-term solutions and connecting you with additional resources when requested.