PROF. RICHARD CRAIG - SYLLABUS SUPPLEMENT FOR ALL COURSES

This document contains general policies that apply to all of my classes.

ATTENDANCE:
While I do not take attendance at every class meeting, students are expected to attend regularly and are responsible for all material covered.  If you do need to miss a class, try to get notes from a classmate, or see me in my office and we'll go over the material you've missed.  Whenever possible, please let me know beforehand (preferably via e-mail) if you'll need to miss a class meeting.  Please note: Repeated absences will be taken into consideration in arriving at final grades for the course.

GRADING:
I do not grade on a curve -- students will receive grades solely based on the overall quality of their work.  A grade of "A" means you have turned in an assignment that is well written and organized, factual, free of errors, grammatically correct, is easy to read and understand, and may be ready for publication in a newspaper or journal.  Assorted errors will chip away at your grade.

Grades will be averaged together according to the weights of assignments (listed on each class syllabus) and according to the following university standards:

Grade

A

A-

B+

B

B-

C+

C

C-

D+

D

D-

F

Grade point

4.0

3.7

3.3

3.0

2.7

2.3

2.0

1.7

1.3

1.0

0.7

0

DEADLINES/DUE DATES:
In the professional field of journalism, deadlines are just that -- deadlines, with few if any exceptions.  Therefore, in my classes, all assignments are expected to be turned in on time, with extensions only granted in fantastically extraordinary circumstances (i.e. hospitalization or extreme emergency) that are documented appropriately.  Late work without documentation of such an emergency will be not be accepted.  There are no provisions for incompletes or extra credit, and make-up exams will not be given without a doctor's note or other appropriate documentation.  If you have a legitimate reason for late work or an exam absence, let me know before the due date.

OUTSIDE READINGS AND SCHEDULE CHANGES:
Given that I like to keep reading material as up-to-date as possible, I will periodically assign additional readings that are not listed on the syllabus.  These will either be photocopied and handed out in class or assigned for reading at a specific Internet site.  You are responsible for all readings listed in the syllabus and all readings assigned in class.  Also note that the reading schedule on the syllabus says "Subject to change, with notice."  I don't anticipate making changes to the schedule, but if any changes need to be made, I will let you know as soon as possible, both in class and via Facebook and Twitter, and a revised reading schedule will be passed out in class and posted on my web page.

FABRICATION, PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING:
Journalists are in the information business.  Journalists who report false information harm the reputation and value of other journalists as individuals and journalism as an institution.  Thus, no school of journalism can tolerate plagiarism, fabrication or cheating.  Plagiarism, fabrication, cheating and other similar violations will not be tolerated in any course. Any such misconduct will result in a failing grade for the course and can result in dismissal from the university.

If you have any doubts about using a piece of information, please talk to me before turning in your work.  See university policies below.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT ONLINE SOURCES: You may use information gathered from the Internet for your assignments, but please remember to consider the source -- not all Internet information is of the same validity.  You may not cut and paste large blocks of text from any Internet site without proper attribution.  This is the same as lifting large passages from any other source -- I have caught students doing this in the past, and it will result in a failing grade.  Please see me about proper attribution of information from the Internet.

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT AI: You may use AI technologies to help you find material, but please note that you've done so and note original sources wherever possible.  You may not use AI to do your writing for you on any assignment.  Developing your own writing skills is a significant part of what we teach in my classes, and will distinguish you from others when seeking employment. 

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: 
I like it when my students enjoy attending my classes, but not when they act like they don't care if they learn.  Remember, you're here to get ready to enter the professional world, which means it wouldn't be a bad idea to show up on time, pay attention in class, and treat classmates with respect.  If a student is disrupting class or otherwise distracting other students, I reserve the right to kick them out of that day's class, and such behavior will be taken into account when compiling participation grades.  

The JMC School's policy clearly states that laptops must be used for classroom purposes only. If you can't set aside your phone or your Instagram for 75 minutes, please take someone else's classes.  If I discover you're using your laptop for non-class purposes, I will drop your semester grade by one letter.  

UNIVERSITY POLICIES
 Academic integrity: Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University and the University's integrity policy, require you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical development. The student conduct code can be found at http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/.
 Students with disabilities: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the SJSU Accessible Education Center (AEC) to establish a record of their disability. The Accessible Education Center can be reached at http://www.sjsu.edu/aec/ or by phone at 924-6000 (TDD 924-5990).

SCHOOL POLICIES
 Cell phones and other personal electronic devices must be turned off in the classroom.
 Do not schedule personal appointments that conflict with the time the class meets. Do not disrupt the class by leaving early. Latecomers may be denied entrance to the classroom.
 In the classroom, laptops must be used for classroom related activities only.
 Remove your personal belongings and trash from the classroom after each class.
 No food allowed in classrooms or labs.

ANYTHING ELSE?
If you have questions or concerns that are not addressed here or in your syllabus, please don't hesitate to call me at 924-3287 or e-mail at profcraig@profcraig.com.


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