Professor Christopher Matthews
Department of Sociology and Anthropology
Hofstra University
Fall 2002
I want you to succeed in my class. To do so, you need to stay current with the readings, come to class, and make sure you understand what I am talking about. To help you avoid simple mistakes, the following provides my policy on the basic issues.
ATTENDANCE
This is college, you are adults. It is your choice to perform
or not. However, if you are not in class, then I cannot do my job
for you as a teacher. Coming to class will allow you to see how I
am thinking about the material and allow you to get the most out of it.
Missing class will only leave you short-handed when it comes time for exams,
quizzes, papers, and my assessment of your grade. You are responsible
for the material both in the readings and the lectures.
I will take role and record your absences. If you miss class for any reason, please produce a written excuse so that I can keep it with my records. I allow only 3 unexcused absences before I take points off your final grade. Additionally, if you miss an in-class exercise related to the research paper it counts as 2 absences on your record.
MISSED EXAMS
If for any reason you need to miss a scheduled exam I require written
notification in advance. If an unforeseen problem arises you must
contact me within 24 hours of the exam and provide me documentation
of the problem. Typically, I only come to campus every other
day so you need to either leave me a voice mail message or send me an email.
I will be very selective about giving make-ups. You have the schedule
of quizzes and tests, so check your schedule now. Conflicts that could
have been avoided will be disregarded.
LATE PAPERS
The biggest problem with late papers is that it is unfair to the other
students who turn theirs in on time. Why should you get extra time?
Furthermore, the way the paper assignment is organized in this class, if
you show up on the due date without one you will be asked to leave and
it will count as an unexcused absence. As a rule late papers will
lose 10% of the grade for everyday they are late. It is possible
to fail by being late. If you need extra time please clear it with
me. As with other issues, the excuses need documented support and
worthiness. You have the schedule, don’t caught unprepared.
This is the way it will be, I promise. But I am human and I want
to make sure you are getting the best chance to succeed in this course
and your entire college career. If you have trouble with the assignments,
the course material, or any other issue that I can help with do not hesitate
to talk with me after class, in my office, on the phone, by email, etc.