Course Policies
Attendance
On-time attendance for every class is absolutely required to pass this course. This is a small class and class participation is essential to both your learning and class dynamics. If you are ill and cannot attend or an emergency arises, please contact me as soon as possible. I will ask for a dean's note to excuse more than one sick day during the term. If you need to miss class for any other reason, you must get permission in advance.
Unexcused absences will be handled as followed:
- 1 unexcused absence: no consequences
- 2-4 unexcused absences: -5% of your final grade for each absence
- More than 4 unexcused absences will result in course failure. No exceptions
Late Homework
Late investigations will not be accepted. For the investigations only, you may have two 48-hour extensions for any reason (they cannot be combined). You do not need to ask me in advance to take your extension.
Late paper responses also will not be accepted, but you get one skip. Again, you do not have to ask for permission. If you complete all paper responses, your lowest score will be dropped.
You must lead class discussion on the days that you are assigned.
Grading
Your final grade will be a weighted average of your grades on each course component. Components will be weighted as follows:
Paper presentations: 12.5% each (25% total)
Class participation: 15%
Reading responses: 30%
Investigations: 30%
Collaboration
Your work in this class should be in conformance with the Harvey Mudd honor code. I encourage you to discuss the research papers and assignments with others, but all written work must be completed on your own (except when the assignment explicitly states that you should work with a partner, in which case the written assignment should be the work of only you and your partner).
If you discuss an assignment or a paper with anyone else (which, again, is encouraged!) you must list that person's name on your writeup.
If you have any question at all as to what is considered acceptable collaboration, please ask.