Policies

The policies below govern all aspects of courses I teach. By remaining enrolled, you agree to abide by these expectations and accept the consequences outlined herein. These policies exist to ensure fairness, academic integrity, and a productive learning environment. They are applied consistently and uniformily without exception.

Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, and AI Use

All work submitted for evaluation must represent your own intellectual effort. Plagiarism is serious academic misconduct. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, presenting another person’s words, ideas, structure, or research as your own without proper acknowledgment, whether the source is published, unpublished, digital, or generated by artificial intelligence tools.

Submitting work that is wholly or substantially generated by AI tools as your own constitutes academic dishonesty. This includes, but is not limited to, essays, discussion posts, reflections, summaries, research writing, and creative work.

AI tools may be used only when explicitly permitted and only in the manner specified by the assignment. When allowed, responsible use requires transparency and proper attribution. Any use of AI that substitutes for genuine academic effort is prohibited.

Violations of academic integrity, including plagiarism and misuse of AI tools, whether willful or accidental, may result in assignment failure, course failure, and referral for further disciplinary action.

Assignments, Deadlines, and Evaluation

Your work represents you. Everything you submit for evaluation should reflect your highest level of academic and professional care.

All assignments must be submitted on time. Late work is not accepted and will receive a zero. Technical difficulties, scheduling conflicts, misunderstandings of deadlines, or last-minute submissions do not excuse late work.

Assignments submitted at the last minute are not eligible for revision or reconsideration for a higher grade.

Course grades are determined by overall performance, including successful completion of all required work, regular participation, and adherence to course expectations. Some assignments may carry greater weight than others, but all components are essential. Letter grades are assigned according to a standard ten-point scale and are based on accumulated points.

Attendance and Participation

Regular attendance is required. Absences negatively affect academic performance and, beyond a certain point, may result in course failure. In-class work, including quizzes and other activities, cannot be made up.

Participation is an essential component of evaluation. Participation includes, but is not limited to, attending class, completing readings, engaging in discussion, contributing to group activities, completing in-class exercises, peer review, and other instructional activities. Preparation, effort, and attitude are weighed heavily.

You are expected to be actively engaged. Passive presence does not constitute participation.

Classroom Conduct and Communication

Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully at all times. This includes paying attention, taking notes, asking relevant questions, listening to others, and minimizing distractions. Improper conduct, including academic falsehood, disruption, or failure to meet basic expectations of behavior, may negatively affect your grade and may result in additional disciplinary measures.

Clear and professional communication is essential. You are responsible for checking course announcements and materials regularly and for communicating appropriately with peers and the instructor, particularly in digital environments.

Research, Evidence, and Citation

All academic work in this course must be supported by evidence. Claims, interpretations, and arguments should be grounded in appropriate primary texts and relevant secondary sources.

Unsupported assertions do not meet course standards and may not receive credit. Research is an integral component of all course work, including informal writing, discussion posts, and formal assignments. Ideas that are not supported by evidence do not belong in academic work.

Technology and Access

Students are responsible for maintaining reliable access to required technology, including a dependable computer and consistent internet connection. Course sites should be checked daily for updates and announcements.

Technical difficulties, hardware failures, or connectivity issues do not excuse missed deadlines or incomplete work. You are responsible for resolving technical problems in a timely manner.

Withdrawal and Administrative Responsibility

Students considering withdrawal are responsible for understanding institutional withdrawal policies, deadlines, and consequences. Responsibility for initiating and completing withdrawal rests with the student.

Student Code of Conduct

Middle Georgia State University students are responsible for reading, understanding, and abiding by the MGA Student Code of Conduct. Violations of classroom behavior expectations, academic integrity policies, or institutional regulations may result in academic penalties and/or referral for disciplinary action in accordance with university procedures.

Plagiarism Prevention Tools

A plagiarism prevention service may be used in the evaluation of written work submitted for this course. As directed by the instructor, students may be required to submit assignments through this service in order to meet course requirements. Submitted work may be retained by the service for the sole purpose of detecting plagiarized content in future submissions.

Use of such tools does not replace instructor evaluation and does not alter the academic integrity standards outlined in this course.

Accessibility Accommodations

Students seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must contact the Middle Georgia State University Office of Accessibility Services. Arrangements for accommodations must be made through that office, and students are responsible for providing appropriate documentation. Accommodations cannot be applied retroactively.

University Closures and Course Continuity

In the event of delayed opening, early closure, or full closure of the University due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, students are expected to continue coursework as directed by the instructor. Course communication will occur through official university channels and the LMS. Students are responsible for monitoring announcements and completing assigned work unless otherwise instructed.

Course Evaluations

Student evaluations of instruction are administered online at the end of the term for all courses with five or more students. Students will receive an email containing a link to the evaluation survey for each enrolled course. All responses are anonymous.

Campus Carry Legislation

This institution complies with Georgia law regarding weapons on campus. Students are responsible for understanding and adhering to the University System of Georgia and Middle Georgia State University policies concerning campus carry.

Institutional Policy Responsibility

Students are responsible for reading, understanding, and adhering to all Middle Georgia State University student policies, including those published by Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and the Registrar.