Notes and Policies
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is as easy to spot as it is to avoid. I will give a short lecture in class reminding you of what constitutes plagiarism, but beyond that, I expect you to never copy and paste someone else’s work. No “right-click synonym,” either—that’s also plagiarism. Don’t buy essays online—they’re not very good. Also remember that I am totally capable of using Google, Wikipedia, SparkNotes, and all of the other study aids.
Part of the struggle in any writing class is adapting ideas into your own words. While this is a challenge, it is not insurmountable, and you should ask me for help any time you get overwhelmed, have concerns about whether or not you have appropriately used and/or cited a source, and whenever you have any type of question. It’s always better to ask beforehand than to receive a failing grade.
If you choose to ignore my warning, as well as my offer of help, the first incident of plagiarism will result in a report to the Honor Council, a failing grade on the plagiarized paper, and a required rewrite of the paper in question. On the second incident of plagiarism, you will receive a failing grade for the class.
Wittenberg Statement on Learning Disabilities
Wittenberg is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for students with documented disabilities. If you are eligible for accommodations, please register with the Academic Services Office, 206 Recitation Hall. After you register, give me a copy of your self-identification memo, and come in for a private chat so we can figure out how to best meet your needs.
Writing Center
The Writing Center is an important (and free!) resource to help you with your writing. It is located in room 112 Hollenbeck Hall, the phone number is 327-6154, and their website is located at http://www5.wittenberg.edu/administration/writingcenter.html. If you receive a C+ or lower on any paper, you are required to take that paper in for an appointment at the Writing Center. The Writing Center also serves students with strong writing skills, so please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment if you just want to improve.
Technological Difficulties?
Contact the Solution Center at 525-3801.
Library
We will have at least one class meeting in the library to learn about the available resources. However, if you have a burning question, you may visit Thomas Library, or its website, for basic searches. Need help? Not sure where to start? Contact the English Department’s Liaison, Mr. Ken Irwin, who is very nice and very knowledgeable. He can easily be reached at [email protected], and is often in the library as well.
Athletic Students
From the Wittenberg Faculty Manual on Athletics: “Student-athletes are primarily responsible for balancing academics and athletics. However, recognizing the pressure that student-athletes face from competing time demands placed upon them by both professors and coaches, we establish the following statement of responsibility. The statement assumes that the student's primary responsibility is to academic coursework and that practice sessions are always subordinate to class attendance.”
Please let me know in advance of all athletics-related absences.
- I don’t accept late work because I usually give you time to work on projects in class. In addition, in your future career, late work can get you fired. If you’re having printer problems, just e-mail me the essay prior to class, and you may submit a hard copy in my mailbox later.
- Cell phones are not permitted in class. The first time I see one, I will issue a warning to the class in general. The second time I see one, everyone in the class will be subject to a quiz, which will be the result of every subsequent appearance of a cellphone as well. This includes merely checking the time
- We do a lot of work on computers. The temptation for distraction is—I know—quite overwhelming. A quick check of the e-mail or one brief cat video seems like a victimless crime, right? On the contrary, research shows that your use of the computer for entertainment during class harms not only your own grade but the grades of those sitting nearby. Furthermore, it is deeply disrespectful to me and to your peers.
- If I see you on your e-mail, on Facebook or Twitter, or on any other non-class-related site, I will issue a warning the first time. The second time, you will be marked absent. The third time, you will be asked to leave class and will be required to have a meeting with me about your performance.
- I don’t mind if you go to the bathroom, but it shouldn’t take you more than five minutes, and if you need to go to the bathroom every day during my class, you need to devise a better plan or see a doctor. If you are gone for a significant period of time, you will be marked absent.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is as easy to spot as it is to avoid. I will give a short lecture in class reminding you of what constitutes plagiarism, but beyond that, I expect you to never copy and paste someone else’s work. No “right-click synonym,” either—that’s also plagiarism. Don’t buy essays online—they’re not very good. Also remember that I am totally capable of using Google, Wikipedia, SparkNotes, and all of the other study aids.
Part of the struggle in any writing class is adapting ideas into your own words. While this is a challenge, it is not insurmountable, and you should ask me for help any time you get overwhelmed, have concerns about whether or not you have appropriately used and/or cited a source, and whenever you have any type of question. It’s always better to ask beforehand than to receive a failing grade.
If you choose to ignore my warning, as well as my offer of help, the first incident of plagiarism will result in a report to the Honor Council, a failing grade on the plagiarized paper, and a required rewrite of the paper in question. On the second incident of plagiarism, you will receive a failing grade for the class.
Wittenberg Statement on Learning Disabilities
Wittenberg is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for students with documented disabilities. If you are eligible for accommodations, please register with the Academic Services Office, 206 Recitation Hall. After you register, give me a copy of your self-identification memo, and come in for a private chat so we can figure out how to best meet your needs.
Writing Center
The Writing Center is an important (and free!) resource to help you with your writing. It is located in room 112 Hollenbeck Hall, the phone number is 327-6154, and their website is located at http://www5.wittenberg.edu/administration/writingcenter.html. If you receive a C+ or lower on any paper, you are required to take that paper in for an appointment at the Writing Center. The Writing Center also serves students with strong writing skills, so please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment if you just want to improve.
Technological Difficulties?
Contact the Solution Center at 525-3801.
Library
We will have at least one class meeting in the library to learn about the available resources. However, if you have a burning question, you may visit Thomas Library, or its website, for basic searches. Need help? Not sure where to start? Contact the English Department’s Liaison, Mr. Ken Irwin, who is very nice and very knowledgeable. He can easily be reached at [email protected], and is often in the library as well.
Athletic Students
From the Wittenberg Faculty Manual on Athletics: “Student-athletes are primarily responsible for balancing academics and athletics. However, recognizing the pressure that student-athletes face from competing time demands placed upon them by both professors and coaches, we establish the following statement of responsibility. The statement assumes that the student's primary responsibility is to academic coursework and that practice sessions are always subordinate to class attendance.”
Please let me know in advance of all athletics-related absences.
