Policies

Diversity and Inclusion

It is of utmost importance to us that everyone feels valued and included in this course. If something strikes you as hurtful or discriminatory, please, reach out to us. We encourage you to offer feedback on our words/actions, too. We know we bring unconscious biases to the classroom, just like everyone else. We can grow in our commitment to inclusivity with your help.

Communication

We’ll communicate with you regularly via email and Canvas notifications. Feel free to email us anytime. We check our email regularly and will generally respond within 24 hours. 

If you’re going to miss class or need accommodations, definitely email us ASAP to let us know. If you have a more involved question, we invite you to come to office hours or to schedule an appointment with us, so we can give you the most complete response possible.

Finally, we’re a stickler on this one: we expect emails to observe proper email etiquette (greeting, message, signature). It’s just a good habit to develop for professional correspondences. 

Accommodations

All accommodations must go through the Sara Bea Center. We do not plan to administer any written exams. If you have questions/concerns about other aspects of the course, we’re always happy to work with you, and / or with representatives from the Sara Bea Center. Our number one goal is for you to thrive and flourish in this course!

Attendance

Because this is a discussion-centered course, attendance is required. You get 2 free absences. After that, you’ll lose 1/3 of a letter grade (A goes to A-, A- goes to B+) for each additional absence. At 6 total absences, you will fail the course. 

The exception? We will excuse absences for religious holidays, official university events with documentation, and illness/medical emergencies with documentation. 

If you are going to miss class – for any reason – please let us know in advance. We like to plan ahead. We also worry about you, if you just don’t show up. (You don’t have to share the reason.)

Late Work

Please plan to submit work on time. Our class activities depend upon it. You will learn less if you finish the work late.

We will assess requests for extensions on a case-by-case basis. If you email to request an extension, please do so before the assignment is due. Please also suggest a new deadline for yourself, like “I could turn it in by Thursday night at 7 p.m.” Be realistic…We will hold you to whatever new deadline you set. We’ll mark your grade as a zero until you submit the assignment. We’ll change it once you submit the assignment.

If you do not communicate with us to request an extension, we reserve the right to deduct 1/3 letter grade for each day a major assignment is late. For reading notes on Perusall, you can submit work late for half credit. 

If you have an excused absence for a day, you'll be expected to make up work from that class period as soon as possible. You should contact us to make arrangements. 

Honor Code

We don't anticipate many issues arising with the honor code, in part because we’re not asking you to do many things that could be plagiarized. But, per the university's recommendation, here's a blurb about the honor code (which we do take very seriously). 

This class follows Notre Dame’s binding Honor Code.  All work you submit must be your own.  Your sources must be properly cited. You can reference course readings by their book or article title.  Outside readings must be cited with a works cited or footnote system.  Direct quotations from others must be in quotation marks. You may not present past work (like from a different course) as if it were new, original work. (That’s called auto-plagiarism). If you have questions about how to attribute your sources, talk to us.

Be advised that, unfortunately, even honest people can act dishonestly under pressure. If at any point you feel desperate and consider cheating, talk to us first. We can help you. 

Student Mental Health

Care and Wellness Consultants provide support and resources to students who are experiencing stressful or difficult situations that may be interfering with academic progress. Through Care and Wellness Consultants, students can be referred to The University Counseling Center (for cost-free and confidential psychological and psychiatric services from licensed professionals), University Health Services (which provides primary care, psychiatric services, case management, and a pharmacy), and The McDonald Center for Student Well Being (for problems with sleep, stress, and substance use). Visit mcwell.nd.edu.