Course policies

In-class discussions

We should be respectful of everyone's questions, comments, and opinions; we come from different backgrounds and experiences and have different goals. Since this is a class about research, I (Mike) am learning a lot, too, so I hope you'll feel free to disagree with me. Last time I taught a course like this one, some of the best discussions occurred when I didn't understand something or made some kind of mistake.

Please know that I will hijack discussion periodically to make sure that certain points are part of the discussion and understood by the class.

Try to participate in every discussion, but not so much that others have trouble participating. To assign a fair participation score, I will keep track of who's participating and how insightful the comments seem to be. Quality counts more than quantity. Take risks. It's okay to be "wrong."

Logistics

To limit distractions, please avoid using phones and laptops, and limit side conversations.

You are welcome to bring beverages such as coffee to class. Food is okay if it's not messy or distracting.

Please help make class start and end on time, by coming on time or early. If you're leading discussion, you need to show up early enough to set up. During discussion, manage time actively.

Getting Help and Asking Questions

The best ways to get help or other feedback are on Piazza or in office hours. Please use Piazza instead of e-mail; unless your post needs to be private, please make it public, since other students may be interested.

If you would like to meet but can't attend office hours, please send me a private message on Piazza to set up a meeting. In your message, include your available times for the next several weekdays, to help in setting up a meeting.

When attending office hours or a scheduled meeting, knock or say hi to be sure I know you're there.

Grading

To help cover any cases when you can't do these on time, like sickness or conference travel, I'll drop the lowest class participation, critique, and small group discussion scores. Please contact me as soon as possible if you'll miss more for illness, conference travel, religious reasons, or another reason.

Disabilities and Religious Obligations

Please contact me as early as possible so I can help make reasonable accommodations.

Academic integrity

Representing someone else's work as your own is a serious violation of academic integrity.

You must acknowledge the following sources: other people who provide nontrivial help, sources you consult to help write your critique, sources of any slide material you reproduce, and sources used for your project.

I am obligated by University Rules to report any suspected violation to the Committee on Academic Misconduct (COAM). COAM decides whether a violation has occurred and, if so, what the penalty will be, which can include a failing grade and suspension or dismissal from the University.