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Ethics Homepage >  Syllabus:  Class Policies        

Class Policies

The following policies, some of which are generally assumed in most classes at Lander University, are explicitly stated here because these policies help to protect the fairness of the course offering for the individuals in the class as a whole. 

Make-Up Policy:  Unfortunately, the Humanities Division does not have space available for offering make-up tests and quizzes. No tests or quizzes can be made-up in this course even though students have good reasons for missing class.  Thus, tests cannot be made-up for any reason. 

If you miss one or more regularly scheduled tests during the semester, your grade for that test or tests is established by the grade achieved on the appropriate section of the comprehensive final examination.  For example, if you were so unfortunate to miss for the first test on “The Problems of Ethics,” your grade on that test would be established by your grade achieved on the section of the final examination dealing with “The Problems of Ethics.”

Quizzes cannot be made-up since the reason for dropping a minimum of lowest two quiz grades from your average is to allow for excused absences. More information on this topic is offered under the topic of “Quizzes” in the Course Requirements section of this syllabus.  Students who are late for class or students who leave before the end of the class-period will not receive credit for that day’s quiz.

Plagiarism:  Students are expected to do their own work in this course.  To use another writer’s ideas with giving credit by means of standard documentation is plagiarism.  Students are expected to uphold the Lander University Honor Code as stated in the Lander University Student Handbook.

Class Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes; there is no allowed number of “free cuts.”  In the case of unavoidable absences, you are responsible for making up work done in class.  In accordance with University policy, if you attend less than 75% of the scheduled class meetings, you will not receive credit for the course.  This policy is in your interest, especially in this course, since attendance is essential for understanding and analyzing some of the complex argumentation discussed.  Any student arriving late for class or leaving early from class will be counted absent from that class period.  Anyone missing class is responsible for obtaining the class notes and assignments from the Ethics  Web Site or from a classmate. 

Some book notes and class lectures are online at http://philosophy.lander.edu/ethics/ . The ethicshelp Discussion List is also a good place to ask for help, especially if you are hesitant to ask a classmate for assistance.  Be sure to contact your instructor as soon as academic difficulties first arise.

Learning Disabilities: If you have now or develop during this semester a physical or a learning disability and you want your instructors to make reasonable accommodations, you must see Mr. Lafayette Harrison (LC 345, telephone (864) 388-8814) and provide him with appropriate documentation unless you have already done so in the past.  Once Mr. Harrison is aware of your disability, he will inform all of your instructors each semester you attend Lander University unless you ask him in writing not to do so.

Closing of the University: If hazardous weather conditions or any other state of emergency necessitate University closing, the information should be available from the Lander automated information system (telephone 864-388-8400) or any of these other public sources:

Comment: The reading assignments are fairly short in recognition of the fact that reading philosophy takes time and in some cases is exceedingly difficult.  As you prepare for your classes, you will probably find that this class is one of the most interesting of your university career.  I will attempt to create the conditions under which you can exercise your native curiosity.  Class periods will be varied, and I will seek to keep each class tightly organized and effective.  If I do my job correctly, our ethics course will be one of the most valuable in your university career.