This document contains general policies that apply to all of my classes.

ATTENDANCE:
While I do not take attendance at every class meeting, students are expected to attend regularly and are responsible for all material covered.  If you do need to miss a class, try to get notes from a classmate, or see me in my office and we'll go over the material you've missed.  Whenever possible, please let me know beforehand (preferably via e-mail) if you'll need to miss a class meeting.  Please note: Repeated absences will be taken into consideration in arriving at final grades for the course.

GRADING:
I do not grade on a curve -- students will receive grades solely based on the overall quality of their work.  A grade of "A" means you have turned in an assignment that is well written and organized, factual, free of errors, grammatically correct, is easy to read and understand, and may be ready for publication in a newspaper or journal.  Assorted errors will chip away at your grade.

The following problems will cost you points:

• Minor errors: Individual style errors or typographical errors; unclear expression of particular facts or points; poor grammar; poor organization; poor use of language.
• Major errors: Misspelling names of people, institutions or positions; making statements without backing them up or checking facts; misstating or omitting facts; injecting personal bias into news reporting; repeated minor errors.
• Flunk-the-class errors: Fabrication or plagiarism (see below).

Grades will be averaged together according to the weights of assignments (listed on each class syllabus) and according to the following university standards:

DEADLINES/DUE DATES:
In the professional field of journalism, deadlines are just that -- deadlines, with few if any exceptions.  Therefore, in my classes, all assignments are expected to be turned in on time, with extensions only granted in fantastically extraordinary circumstances (i.e. hospitalization or extreme emergency) that are documented appropriately.  Late work without documentation of such an emergency will be not be accepted.  There are no provisions for incompletes or extra credit, and make-up exams will not be given without a doctor's note or other appropriate documentation.  If you have a legitimate reason for late work or an exam absence, let me know before the due date.

OUTSIDE READINGS AND SCHEDULE CHANGES:
Given that I like to keep reading material as up-to-date as possible, I will periodically assign additional readings that are not listed on the syllabus.  These will either be photocopied and handed out in class or assigned for reading at a specific Internet site.  You are responsible for all readings listed in the syllabus and all readings assigned in class.  Also note that the reading schedule on the syllabus says "Subject to change, with notice."  I don't anticipate making changes to the schedule, but if any changes need to be made, I will let you know as soon as possible and a revised reading schedule will be passed out in class and posted on my web page.

FABRICATION, PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING:
Journalists are in the information business.  Journalists who report false information harm the reputation and value of other journalists as individuals and journalism as an institution.  Thus, no school of journalism can tolerate plagiarism, fabrication or cheating.  Plagiarism, fabrication, cheating and other similar violations will not be tolerated in any course. Any such misconduct will result in a failing grade for the course and can result in dismissal from the university.

• Plagiarism is using someone else's work and turning it in as your own or without giving proper credit to the original author.  It includes stealing research as well as "borrowing" phrases and expressions.
• Fabrication is the act of making up information and reporting it as fact.  This includes inventing quotes and interviews, as well as misquoting a source or quoting someone out of context.
• Cheating is anything else unethical -- letting others do your work, or engaging in other forms of dishonesty.

If you have any doubts about using a piece of information, please talk to me before turning in your work.  See university policies below.

SPECIAL NOTE TO FREQUENT INTERNET USERS: You may use information gathered from the Internet for your assignments, but please remember to consider the source -- not all Internet information is of the same validity.  You may not cut and paste large blocks of text from any Internet site without proper attribution.  This is the same as lifting large passages from any other source -- I have caught students doing this in the past, and it will result in a failing grade.  Please see me about proper attribution of information from the Internet.

UNIVERSITY POLICIES

• Academic integrity: Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University and the University's integrity policy, require you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical development. The policy on academic integrity can be found at http://sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct.
• Students with disabilities: If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the DRC (Disability Resource Center) to establish a record of their disability. The Disability Resource Center can be reached at http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/ or by phone at 924-6000 (TDD 924-5990).

SCHOOL POLICIES

• Cell phones and other personal electronic devices must be turned off in the classroom.
• Do not schedule personal appointments that conflict with the time the class meets. Do not disrupt the class by leaving early. Latecomers may be denied entrance to the classroom.
• In the classroom, laptops must be used for classroom related activities only.
• Remove your personal belongings and trash from the classroom after each class.
• No food allowed in classrooms or labs.

ANYTHING ELSE?
If you have questions or concerns that are not addressed here or in your syllabus, please don't hesitate to call me at 924-3240 or e-mail at profcraig@profcraig.com.