Course Policies

Environment: As explained in the Mission Statement (located on the Goals page of the course website), classes rely heavily on a workshop format and learning from each other will be a large part of the classroom experience. Please treat the room, your instructor, and other students with respect. This should be a safe space for all to express their thoughts and experiment openly. Speech that is derogatory or disrespectful will not be tolerated. Eating and drinking are fine, as long as it does not distract you or your classmates, and please be sure to clean up any trash afterwards.

Presence: Community will be an integral part of our semester. As such, I ask that you devote your entire attention to the 75 minutes we share twice a week. Participation and questions are always invited and encouraged. Cell phone usage is not permitted; please turn all devices off at the start of class. If you have extenuating circumstances (i.e., an emergency), please let me know. If you require academic accommodations regarding computer or tablet use, again, please schedule an appointment with the CUNY School of Medicine Disability Accommodation Specialist to discuss.

Attendance: Students are expected to attend every class session of this course and to be on time. If you miss five classes, your final grade will be dropped by one-half of one letter (a 90 to an 85, for example). If you miss six classes, your final grade will be dropped one full letter. If you miss seven classes, you will not be able to pass the course. Consistent late arrivals and early departures will have a negative impact on your grade. I will notify you by email if course absences (for full or partial classes) are having an impact on your grade. If you have special circumstances, please see me. I’m happy to work with you to help you complete this course.

Assignments: Blackboard will house reading assignments, discussion board postings, and grades. You should also become familiar with the course website, https://peaceofwriting.commons.gc.cuny.edu, where you can find the syllabus and detailed writing assignment descriptions available. Please see below for essay formatting instructions.

All papers should be:

• Double-spaced
• In 12-point font (something that is easy to read and stylish)
• Containing page numbers and your last name somewhere on each page
• In MLA citation format (see Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab for help: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html)
• Titled (something unique and thought-provoking)

Late Work: All work should be submitted by the beginning of class on the day it is due (yes, this applies for Blackboard discussion posts as well). If you are struggling with a particular assignment, please let me know ahead of time so that I can assist you. You have a two-day grace period for any major writing assignment of your choice with the exception of finals; this can manifest as one assignment submitted two days late, or as two assignments submitted one day late each. Choose wisely. Apart from this, papers will be subtracted half a letter grade for each day they are late.

Academic Integrity: As noted in the late work section above, I am available to assist you if you are having any difficulty understanding an assignment or finding sources. Please do your best and submit work that was created by your mind, heart and hands only. There should be no reason to do otherwise. Refer to CCNY’s policy here: https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/about/integrity.

 

Other Helpful Resources

 

The Writing Center, NAC Third Floor

https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/writing

The City College Writing Center offers one-on-one assistance for students working on writing assignments and projects from any discipline.

 

Student Support Services Program, NAC 6/148

https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/sssp

SSSP invites new students, especially incoming freshmen and transfers at the start of fall, to join us up to our 500-student cap.  SSSP students should be either first-generation college students OR have a family income below a certain threshold.  SEEK students are not eligible to join as SSSP’s services in many ways mirror SEEK’s.  To apply, complete the application at https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/sssp/sssp_application. Accepted students have full access to SSSP’s services, which include academic advising, personal counseling, and tutoring in the Academic Resource Center in Marshak 1104.  Tutoring supports all disciplines, and offers SSSP students the only online, 24/7 writing review service currently offered at City. Students requesting in-person writing tutoring are assigned to the same tutor for a series of meetings which can be weekly or customized to the students’ schedule of due dates.​

 

Gateway Advising Center, NAC 1/220

http://www.ccny.cuny.edu/gateway/

Students without a declared major can receive academic advising, especially if you have questions about your course of study, core requirements, etc.

 

SEEK Peer Academic Learning Center, NAC 4/224

Phone: 212-650-5786; email: seekpals@ccny.cuny.edu

Offers counseling and peer tutoring for students in need of academic and financial support who have registered for the SEEK Program.

 

AccessAbility Center, NAC 1/218

http://www.ccny.cuny.edu/accessability/

The AccessAbility Center/Student Disability Services (AAC/SDS) ensures full participation and meaningful access to all of City College’s services, programs, and activities.