Participation
Participation in this class is strongly encouraged, which is why it counts for 5% of the final grade Rhetoric and Civic Life is a year-long experience rooted in our strong and supportive class community. Though we may be physically distanced at times, we will strive to make our in-person and online spaces friendly and engaging–a place where we all want to be. Your participation in the course will be critical to our efforts to build community. Because there are uncertainties surrounding attendance and participation this semester, you will be offered some bonus activities for participation in the course.
Participation has several dimensions. This means actual attunement to the class discussion. Engaged, vocal contributions, group work, and online posting and commenting are considered central to the success of the class. Students who come to class without having completed the assigned reading or writing may have their participation grade affected. Also valuable is recognizing when it’s time for other students to contribute. Avoiding undesirable and distracted behaviors such as texting, talking, or sleeping is another component of participation and attendance. There will be opportunities to contribute in small-group discussion, and all in-class activities represent opportunities to work out ideas.
If we must move to a remote Zoom model, it will be critical that you stay engaged with your classmates and become an integral part of our physically distanced, but otherwise connected community. While instructors cannot insist that your cameras are turned on for class, we hope that you turn on your cameras and tune in as much as possible.
Students may present documentation of illnesses, university-approved activities, and other extenuating circumstances to count their absences as excused. To learn more about the University’s attendance policy (Faculty Senate Policy 42-27) and procedures for obtaining class excuses, please consult the Class Excuses (Links to an external site.) page provided by University Health Services. In the unfortunate event that you face an emergency, please call Student & Family Services at 814-863-2020. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, and it will notify your professors of your absence and when you will return to class.
Attendance
I take daily attendance. While it is best not to miss class, you are permitted two absences without a grade penalty. Each absence in excess of three will result in a one percent deduction off your final grade (independent of grades received on course work). Additionally, your participation grade may be affected with each absence beyond the allotted two.
*Three late arrivals will equal one absence. Students who come to class without having completed the assigned reading or writing may be counted absent as well. Students may present documentation of illnesses, university-approved activities, and other extenuating circumstances to count their absences as excused.
You run that risk if you exceed three unexcused absences for a MWF class or two unexcused absences for a TR class. (These are absences that you can take with no penalty, grade-wise.) If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to get the assignments, class notes, and course changes from a classmate.
Late Work
All students are granted a free “late” of 48 hours on any assignment except the final group project. Late assignments beyond the free late will lose a full letter grade for each week the assignment is late. However, if there are extenuating circumstances preventing a student from completing work, the student should email me as soon as possible to make alternative arrangements.
If you are scheduled to present on a particular day and miss your presentation slot, you will will receive a zero for the assignment (but must still complete it). In other words, if you are on the docket to speak first and are not present when presentations are to begin, whether you come to class at all or not, you will receive a zero for the assignment.
- Speaking assignments typically have a written component. Not having this written component will bar you from presenting, resulting in a zero.
- All assignments should be typed using a standard font, such as Times New Roman. Please use one-inch margins and a font size between 11-12 point. Handwritten work is never accepted.
- Carefully proofread all assignments before submitting.
- Submissions should include your name, the course name (ENG 137H), and the date as a heading on the first page.
Academic integrity/Plagiarism
Penn State defines academic integrity as the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. All students should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts (Faculty Senate Policy 49-20). Dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated in this course. Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, or tampering with the academic work of other students. Students who are found to be dishonest will receive academic sanctions and will be reported to the University’s Judicial Affairs office for possible further disciplinary sanction.
We will discuss proper citation practices in class, and I welcome questions on this issue at any time before assignments are due. I’d like to stress too that plagiarism is not to be confused with the sharing of ideas—all writers get advice from friends and colleagues. For the purposes of this course, the element that distinguishes such productive collaborative moments from plagiarism is that of willful deception—i.e., cheating.
Disability Support Services & Special Circumstances
The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified people with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities and is committed to the policy that all people shall have equal access to programs, facilities, and admissions without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. If you have a registered disability or any other special circumstance, please let me know about it within the first week of class. We can then devise a plan for how to approach the semester.
Self Care
More than half of all college students report feeling hopeless, while over a quarter of college students feel overwhelming anxiety. There are few things that can affect your academic performance like struggling with maintaining mental health. If you feel hopeless, or you feel any other symptoms of mental illness or struggle, there is help for you. And please do ask for help—the sooner you do, the sooner you may find relief. Looking for help can be daunting, especially if you aren’t feeling well. Reach out to someone you trust who might be willing to connect you with resources. I am not a doctor, counselor or psychotherapist, but I will help you find someone who is. Be in touch if you need that kind of support.
CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services): Provides support and help for an array of concerns, from relationship issues to suicidal feelings.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or you can go to their site and chat online.
Centre County CAN HELP: 1-800-643-5432. Provides immediate crisis intervention, as well as referrals to hospitals or other medical and counseling assistance, community resources. CAN HELP can send mental health professionals to you to help assess a serious crisis situation and provide the appropriate resources. CAN HELP should not be a substitute for dialing 911 if the situation is life-threatening.
The Centre County Women’s Resource Center: 1-877-234-5050/814-234-5050. 24 hour hotline supporting women and men who have experienced relationship violence or sexual violence. CCWRC provides crisis help, legal advocacy, counseling, and medical advocacy.
Statement on Nondiscrimination
The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University.
Note: The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation in this course or have questions about physical access, please tell the instructor as soon as possible.
Mobile Devices
Please silence your mobile devices before entering class. RCL will be holding frequent quizzes and blog commenting sessions each week in class. You will need to bring a laptop or tablet device on which you can access Canvas and write responses. You should come to class with your device sufficiently charged. If any of this will be a problem for you, contact me immediately.
Course Resources
Penn State Rhetoric and Civic Life is a resource for all sections of RCL where you can find course-wide announcements and social media feeds. There, you can also find successful RCL assignment examples from previous years.
Writing and Speaking Help
Students are encouraged to draw upon the University’s resources to develop their skills in writing and speaking. Students can consult with peer writing tutors through Penn State Learning and get help with their oral communication skills and presentations from peer mentors at the Undergraduate Speaking Center, sponsored by the Penn State College of Liberal Arts. Keep in mind that these resources are free are useful for students at all levels!