Miscellaneous Information
Course Requirements & Expectations
If you are taking COMM 100, this information is a
supplement to your workbook. Please re-read your workbook
or click here for additional information.
For all other classes, please read on.
Don't use laptops or cell phones in my class. They are distracting to me. I don't particularly care if you can multi-task, you're rude. FB can wait, as can your texts, tweets, and love messages to your hottie or bootie call. If you beleive you are THAT important, please hire a personal assistant who will take care of your personal business while you are attending to less important matters, such as education ;o)
You are responsible for reading all chapters prior to class. There will be information from the book we will not have the time to discuss during class, but over which you may be tested. If you have any questions about something you have read, please bring it to my attention. Thank you!
You will need one of the following: USB memory key, CD/ROM. Media that fail to work will not be reason enough to not give your speech/presentation/ project on the specified day(s). It is up to you to make sure that everything is in working order prior to coming to class. Be sure to e-mail me a copy of your presentation prior to class as a precaution. All late penalties apply!
I cannot accept late assignments. You know at the beginning of the semester when assignments are due. This class will be conducted in the same manner as a working environment, meaning that your boss expects the final product at a set deadline and will not listen to excuses as to why something is not ready when s/he needs it.
It will be extremely important that you check your GMU e-mail periodically throughout the week. With such a large class, there is no way I can telephone everyone with updates or other information. Please maintain some sort of consistent contact with your group, as well as me. In this way you will be able to keep up with what's going on in the class.
There is an old college adage. For every 1 hour in class, you should be prepared to spend 2-3 hours outside of class preparing and studying. This means that I expect you will spend six to nine hours a week on this class. This is ample time to attend to your studies and your projects and I expect them to be completed on time.
Computer "glitches" are never a reasonable excuse for not turning in an assignment. Be prepared and make sure that your hard drives, monitors, printers, toner, ink, etc. are in working order. Coming to me with computer "problems" is as lame as telling me your dog ate your homework. If your computer is not in working order, there are plenty of places on campus where you can use computers. Please plan ahead. Your work doesn't have to be in black ink. It can be green, blue, pink, red, etc. As long as it's dark enough for me to read, print it.
No Internet websites may be used as research in my classes. This does NOT include the GMU library database, which is not the "Internet." If you have any questions, please ask. But don't ask, "Can I use this website." If in doubt, go to the library and make copies from an actual document. And, fyi, Wikipedia is never an acceptable source for any class....don't make your teachers cry.
The best way to reach me is through e-mail. I check e-mail periodically between 8 am and 8 pm. If you e-mail me at 11:30 pm I will not be able to answer your question(s) until the following day and I may not be able to answer your e-mail prior to class time. If you wish to meet with me, please drop me a line to let me know. That way I'll be sure to be in my office and not upstairs making copies, warming lunch, etc.
Please arrive to class on time. Some of you have a class with me that begins before noon. I know that before noon is early (I'm a night owl), but it is disruptive when students arrive once class has started. Also, if you see someone other than me speaking DO NOT enter the classroom until that person is done speaking.
I will discuss any grading questions on a specific assignment with you during a scheduled office-hour visit for up to two class sessions following the class period I handed it back (whether or not you were in class).
As a courtesy to me and your classmates, cell phones, beepers and any other “noise making” devices MUST be turned off or set to vibrate during class.
In the event of bad weather, please listen to the media, call GMU or look at the GMU website. It is your responsibility to check and see how class assignments/exams/etc. will be adjusted. Speeches/presentations due on any day will take precedence over lecture, so be prepared to speak even if we missed class the week before. If you have any questions, please let me know.
When turning in assignments online, MSWord (available on all campus computers) must be used. Do NOT use WordPerfect, MSWorks, WordPad, etc. If I cannot open/read a file, I cannot assign a grade other than zero (0).
Disability Resource Center
To provide an equitable learning environment for each student, I will adjust to those students who may have special needs. I have an excellent working relationship with the DRC, they have great resources! It is the responsibility of the student to bring a letter from Disability Support Services confirming and describing your special need within two weeks of the start of the semester.
Harassment
This class will adhere to all published university policies regarding harassment and equal opportunity and this class will follow all appropriate university regulations.
Lastly, if you have any questions regarding these policies, please do not wait until the end of the semester to discuss them. By then, it will be too late.