Course Policies:

I realize that most of you are taking several classes and are probably working as well.  However, enrolling in this course means that you and I have a contractual obligation to one another: I am obligated to teach to the best of my ability, to be available during office hours, and to answer your questions whenever possible; you are obligated to attend class, to complete the readings and writing assignments in a timely manner, and to participate actively in the process of learning.  The course policies were designed with this in mind, and include:

            Attendance: 

Attendance in this course is absolutely critical, especially because class lectures are not solely based on your textbook.  Since all exams and paper assignments will be based on my lectures and class discussions, missing class will surely lead to a failing grade in the course.  As this class meets only once a week, you are allowed only one (1) absence without penalty.  After that, your final grade will decrease by 5 percentage points with every absence.  For example, if you miss five classes during the semester and your cumulative grade was an 84, you will receive a C (79) for your final grade.

Note, attendance will be taken both at the beginning of class and after the break.  If you fail to make both parts of any particular class, you will be marked as absent for the whole period, unless you have cleared an early departure with me.

            Participation:

This course is comprised of both lectures and discussion sessions.  This is for both our benefits, as class will be more interesting than if I simply lectured the whole time!  However, this means that your participation is necessary to the success of this course.  Therefore, you are expected to ‘chip in’ as much as possible.  Participation counts for 15% of your final grade.  Note, coming to class is NOT enough.  You must have read and critically thought about the material, and must be willing to participate in class discussion.  Shyness is not an excuse; learning to share your ideas is part of the exercise!  Note: if you are not prepared for class (i.e. if you have not done the readings or completed your project assignments), you will be asked to leave the room, and will still be held responsible for any material you might have missed.

            Exams and Assignments:

There will be two take-home exams: the first will be due on March 22^nd and the second on May 20^th, during Final Exams Week.  Both exams will consist of two essays, each to be 700-750 words in length.  Full instructions and a review sheet with possible essay questions will be given prior to the due date.  Each essay will be worth 50 points.  Of course, partial credit will be given.  Each exam will count for 20% of the final grade.

You must also complete one 6-7 page research paper on any topic on the history of women in the Early Modern Period.  Note, the topic you select will be limited by the availability of PRIMARY SOURCES available to us.  Consult with me prior to choosing your subject.  The research component of this class will account for 35% of your final grade, divided as follows: the thesis page and annotated bibliography equal 15% and the final paper equals 20%.  Full instructions to the research project will be handed separately.

Late papers and missed exams: 

Papers must be submitted on time.  I will accept late assignments, but will deduct a full letter grade for each day (not class) they are late.  Missed exams will not be made up, except under the special circumstances listed below. 

Only a serious and unavoidable cause, such as a documented medical condition or family emergency, will be accepted as an excuse for failing to turn in an assignment or take an exam on time.  In these cases, a new due-date will be assigned.

            Office hours:

I will be available for consultation during regular office hours, as listed above.  Take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions, ask for clarifications, or just to chat: using office hours will allow you to get a better feel for the class and will give you the opportunity to make sure what I expect from you and what you understand I expect from you are the same thing!  Note, however, that I do not repeat lectures or give out notes, nor do I duplicate handouts you have lost.  For duplicates, you should refer to the course website (listed above).

University Policies:

This class will follow University guidelines as described in the University Catalog.

Academic honesty:

Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses that could have extremely serious consequences such as probation, suspension, or expulsion from the University.  At the very least, cheating in this class will result in an immediate F for the assignment, and such cases will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

As defined in University’s Policies webpage (http://www-catalog.admin.csufresno.edu/current/policies.html), “cheating is the actual or attempted practice of fraudulent or deceptive acts for the purpose of improving a grade or obtaining course credit. Typically, such acts occur in relation to examinations. It is the intent of this definition that the term cheating not be limited to examinations situations only, but that it include any and all actions by a student that are intended to gain an unearned academic advantage by fraudulent or deceptive means.”  Cheating includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism.  This is “a specific form of cheating that consists of the misuse of the published and/or unpublished works of others by misrepresenting the material so used as one's own work.” 

Remember: Using someone else’s work without giving them credit (that is, annotating) is plagiarism.  This includes downloading information from the Internet and presenting it as your own, as well as getting someone else to write a paper or assignment for you.

Students with Disabilities:

Upon identifying themselves to me and to the university, students with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluation.  For more information, contact Services to Students with Disabilities in Madden Library 1049 (278-2811).

            Disruptive Behavior:

You are expected to be respectful of the professor and your classmates.  Pagers, cellular phones, and personal stereo systems must be turned off and put away prior to the beginning of class.  Talking to your classmates while I am trying to lecture is unacceptable.  Reading the newspaper or any material not related to class is also unacceptable.  The use of any tobacco products is prohibited by law, and smoking or chewing tobacco are not allowed in the classroom.  If you do not comply with the regulations above, you will be asked to leave the room and will be held responsible for any material you might have missed.  For further information on what is considered disruptive behavior in the classroom, see the University Policy on Disruptive Classroom Behavior (APM 419).

* I reserve the right to modify this syllabus.  You will be notified of all changes, and will be given notice with enough time to complete your assignments as required.  If you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check on announcements made while you were absent.