Policies, Grading, & Resources

Communication policy:

It is critical that we all feel comfortable communicating often this quarter so that you are supported in your learning.

Please make sure you set the Canvas communication settings to an email that you check regularly as I will use the announcements function and the Canvas inbox to communicate with you. Try to check your inbox daily.

Log in to Canvas regularly and go to the Modules to make sure that you have the most up-to-date information.

The best way to contact me is using the Canvas inbox or my email.

If you need to reach me using phone, text message, or other means, please check about making arrangements. 

All requirements and policies of this course are outlined in this syllabus. Any changes to the syllabus, announcements, and handouts will be posted on the course website, and it is your responsibility to keep track of assignments and due dates and to check the website regularly for updates. Feel free to contact the instructor if you have any questions or concerns about the course.

Policies for submitting work:

All work will be submitted electronically to Canvas. 

Please communicate with me about any access needs. The due dates are intended to provide structure, and extensions will be granted whenever needed. I am happy to work with you for any reasons - you don't need to provide any explanations or apologies. These are challenging times, to say the least. 

Course access, accommodations, and resources:

Please do not wear scented products in our classroom or the instructor’s office, to make these spaces more accessible for people with chemical sensitivity.

The instructor is trying to create an inclusive learning environment. Your experiences in the class are important to all of us. If you anticipate or encounter barriers participating or demonstrating your learning because of any aspect of how the course is taught, I encourage you to contact me as soon as possible so that we can discuss options.

We can work in conjunction with Disability Resources for Students: Disability Resources for Students (UW Seattle) Email: uwdrs@uw.edu Phone: 206-543-8924. If you have already established accommodations with DRS, please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course. DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions.  Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DRS. 

Note that while this is directly applicable to students who are registered with DRS, you do not need to disclose a disability or provide an accommodations letter to discuss accessibility. Please feel free to talk with me about any aspect of accommodations or accessibility.

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 Links to an external site.. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request Links to an external site.. If you are unable to fill out the request but will need an accommodation, please speak with me as stated above.

Mental Health Services to Students - main UW website with many on-campus and off-campus resources: https://wellbeing.uw.edu/topic/mental-health

Here are some campus writing resources that are available to students in this class:

• POL S/LSJ/JSIS Writing Center: http://depts.washington.edu/pswrite/
• Odegaard writing & research center: http://depts.washington.edu/owrc/ Links to an external site.
• CLUE writing center: http://depts.washington.edu/clue/dropintutor_writing.php Links to an external site.
• Interdisciplinary Writing Studio (IWS) for CHID, GEOG, and GWSS students: https://geography.washington.edu/interdisciplinary-writing-studio Links to an external site.
• Another recommended writing and citation guide resource is the website Purdue OWL Links to an external site.: "The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out-of-class instruction."

Documentation of sources and academic integrity:

All work submitted for course credit must be an original effort. For all writing assignments, direct quotations, paraphrases, information, interpretations, and opinions taken from another person’s work must be identified. Plagiarism means presenting the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own, for example by turning in someone else’s work or failing to document material you have quoted or borrowed. Any evidence of cheating or plagiarism, whether intentional or accidental, will result in a grade of zero for that assignment. Additional sanctions may also be imposed by the University administration under the provisions of the Student Conduct Code. You are responsible for understanding all aspects of University regulations regarding academic integrity.

Grading scale