Course and University Policies

Table of contents

1. Course Flexibility
2. Late Policy
3. Communication
4. Campus Closure or Emergency Class Cancelation/Adjustment Policy
5. Disability Accomodations
6. Names and Pronouns
7. Academic Integrity
   1. Note about Artificial Text Generators
8. Notice of mandatory reporting of sexual assault, sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, and stalking

Course Flexibility

I reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus for the sake of improving the course or accomodating the schedule of external speakers. Students will be given ample notice regarding any major changes to the course plan.

Late Policy

I will deduct one letter grade from a written assignment for each week it is past due. I will give no credit for the in class discussion leader assignment.

Communication

Students must use their Mason email account to receive important University information, including communications related to this class. I will not respond to messages sent from or send messages to a non-Mason email address on matters relating to this class.

Campus Closure or Emergency Class Cancelation/Adjustment Policy

If a class meeting needs to be canceled or adjusted due to weather or other concern, students should check their emails for updates on how to continue learning and for information about any changes to events or assignments.

Disability Accomodations

Disability Services at George Mason University is committed to upholding the letter and spirit of the laws that ensure equal treatment of people with disabilities. Under the administration of University Life, Disability Services implements and coordinates reasonable accommodations and disability-related services that afford equal access to university programs and activities. Students can begin the registration process with Disability Services at any time during their enrollment at George Mason University. If you are seeking accommodations, please visit http://ds.gmu.edu/ for detailed information about the Disability Services registration process. Disability Services is located in Student Union Building I (SUB I), Suite 2500. Email:ods@gmu.edu; Phone: (703) 993-2474

Names and Pronouns

If you wish, please share your name and gender pronouns with me and indicate how best to address you in class and via email. I use he/him pronouns for myself and I prefer that you address me as “Ted” in all contexts.

Academic Integrity

The integrity of the University community is affected by the individual choices made by each of us. Mason has an Honor Code with clear guidelines regarding academic integrity. Three fundamental and rather simple principles to follow at all times are that: (1) all work submitted be your own; (2) when using the work or ideas of others, including fellow students, give full credit through accurate citations; and (3) if you are uncertain about the ground rules on a particular assignment, ask for clarification. No grade is important enough to justify academic misconduct. Plagiarism means using the exact words, opinions, or factual information from another person without giving the person credit. Writers give credit through accepted documentation styles, such as parenthetical citation, footnotes, or endnotes. Paraphrased material must also be cited, using the appropriate format for this class. A simple listing of books or articles is not sufficient. Plagiarism is the equivalent of intellectual robbery and cannot be tolerated in the academic setting. If you have any doubts about what constitutes plagiarism, please see me.

Note about Artificial Text Generators

We have multiple writing assignments in this class. Because the act of composing a response in your own words actually increases your learning, it is important that you complete the task yourself, rather than rely on an artificial intelligence (AI) tool. Completing these writing assignments yourself will help strengthen your performance in this class on later assignments and activities, as well as help you develop professionally and succeed in your career goals. You should also be aware that AI text generation tools may present incorrect information, biased responses, and incomplete analyses; thus they are not yet prepared to produce text that meets the standards of this course. If you do choose to experiment with AI text generation, you are expected to indicate your usage of it and give credit for text that has been generated by AI. Use of AI-generated text without proper attribution is a violation of academic integrity.

Notice of mandatory reporting of sexual assault, sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, and stalking

As a faculty member, I am designated as a “Non-Confidential Employee,” and must report all disclosures of sexual assault, sexual harassment, interpersonal violence, and stalking to Mason’s Title IX Coordinator per University Policy 1202. If you wish to speak with someone confidentially, please contact one of Mason’s confidential resources, such as Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) at 703-993-3686 or Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 703-993-2380. You may also seek assistance or support measures from Mason’s Title IX Coordinator by calling 703-993-8730, or emailing titleix@gmu.edu.