Contract Agreement for German 270: Grimms to Disney. Spring 2009

Please read the following and sign at the end stating that you have read and understand the policies listed in the Syllabus concerning classroom conduct, academic honesty, and attendance policy.

Course Courtesies: 

In a large class like this, certain courtesies can make the learning experience more pleasant for all of us.  In the case of any behavior we find disruptive to the other students (complaints) or the instructor, we will ask you to stop the behavior the first time. If the disruptive behavior continues during class, you will be asked to leave the classroom. If there is a repeated problem over time, this will be reported to the Dean of Students Office and we will request that you be disenrolled from the class. (Guidelines of the Dean of Students and Ombuds Offices)

• Please be punctual. Class starts at 4.00 pm.
• Please remain in your seat and do not pack up until the completion of the class at 5.15.
• Please don’t talk with your friends during the lectures. This interferes with everyone’s concentration (including the instructor’s).
• Please turn off cell phones during class. This includes text-messaging during the lecture.
• Please do not use laptop computers for purposes other than taking notes, since this is distracting for the people around you.
• Please do not send the instructor or the TAs anonymous, rude, threatening, or harassing e-mails or other anonymous communications.
• Please do not call the professor or teaching assistants at home unless specifically arranged. You can leave messages for us at the GSS Office: 545 2350.

In-Class Writing Assignments:

Short written assignments will be collected in most classes. After the first two class sessions, which will be on general topics, the in-class writing assignments will be related to the assigned reading for that class. I expect you to take the questions seriously and to try to answer them to the best of your ability.

• You will receive full credit (√) if I can see that you have done the reading assignment.
• You may obtain partial credit (√–) if the answer is too short or vague but I have a sense you have read the assignment.
• You will receive no credit (–) if the answer is too short, too vague, or not based on the assignment.
• If an answer is especially good, I assign extra credit (√+). 
• One-word answers or nothing at all are graded as insufficient (o) although you will receive partial credit (/) for attendance (/o).

We will read through all of these in-class assignments, grade them, and report back to the class on them if they contain an opinion question. I will only return them to you if you pick them up in my office. If I see that you are having trouble with a particular area, I will suggest that you contact me (or the TA) for help. Attendance counts 1 point per class; writing assignment @ full credit = 1.5 points: total attendance/writing assignment points = 60.

Reading Assignment & Make-Ups: 

You are responsible for reading the texts assigned for each class period. If you are absent or if you cannot read an assignment for the designated day but can make up the work before taking the exam on that section, you can submit a short written text showing me that you have read it and I will give you credit for the writing assignment. Work will not be accepted in bulk at the end of the semester.

Academic Honesty Policy: 

Any form of cheating will result in a grade of zero on that written assignment and the request that the student withdraw from the course.  Cheating includes copying the work of another student on a test, unsanctioned use of reference notes during a test, plagiarizing a paper, buying a paper, or using an existing paper by modifying it slightly.  Students will be held to the standards of the University Writing Program. Cheating on papers includes using sentences directly or in a slightly modified form from books, websites, or other persons without naming the source or putting direct quotes in “quotation marks.” It also includes basing a paper on a friend’s computer file. More complete guidelines will follow. The instructor reserves the right to request an earlier draft or notes for a paper if circumstances warrant this course of action. If two papers appear suspiciously similar, both students will receive a grade of zero unless one of them agrees to accept responsibility.

Attendance Lists:

If we send around a sign-in sheet for attendance, signing someone’s name other than your own is considered a form of cheating. If such incidents are reported or discovered both/all students will receive a “0” for that class. Repeated offenses will be reported to the Dean of Students Office.

I have read and understand the Instructor’s policies concerning classroon civility, written assignments, academic honesty, and attendance lists.

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