Linguistics 101: Introduction to Language
Section 5 * TR 12:30-1:45 * Dey 307 * Fall 2008

Please read these policies carefully. You are responsible for all of the information contained within.

If you feel that you cannot or are not willing to comply with the policies below, then this is NOT the course for you.

Remaining enrolled in the course is a tacit agreement to abide by and be held accountable to the policies detailed below.

The Carolina HONOR CODE is in effect at all times in this class, both in letter and spirit. I will treat violations of it SERIOUSLY. If you have any questions about its interpretation, you should bring them to me.

ALL WORK TO BE TURNED IN SHOULD BE SIGNED ON THE HONOR CODE LINE. Your signature on an assignment is a tacit statement that you have complied with the requirements of the Honor Code in everything relating to that work.

In this class, I encourage you to COLLABORATE with classmates ON HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS. Your signature on the honor code on a homework assignment does not indicate that you have completed the assignment alone, but rather that you have taken an active part in figuring out the answers (even if you worked with another student).

Please note that homework "collaboration" does not mean asking another student for the answer without talking it out! In the spirit of the Honor Code, this would be a violation.

Tests and quizzes must be completed ALONE, with no help from classmates.

WORK WHICH HAS NOT BEEN SIGNED WILL BE GIVEN A GRADE OF 0 (ZERO), without exception.

>>COURSE REQUIREMENTS<<

• Regular attendance and class participation
• Completion of readings and homework assignments
• Midterm hourly tests (2)
• Final examination

NB: My teaching style uses class time on the assumption that you have already completed the reading, rather than rehashing it for you. You will get more out of class time (and thus eventually get a better grade) if you do the reading AND do it when it is assigned!

>>GRADING<<

• Homeworks and reading quizzes - 25%
• Hourlies - 50% (2 x 25% each)
• Final exam - 25%

HOW TO DO WELL IN THIS CLASS:

I have seen a strong positive correlation between doing the following things (listed in decreasing importance) and getting a good grade in this class:

1) Being present for every class session
2) Doing all the assignments
3) Doing all the readings

If you only have time for one, COME TO CLASS. For the best grade possible, DO ALL THREE!

I DO NOT NEGOTIATE GRADES. If I make a grading error, I am more than happy to correct it. Otherwise, the grade you receive is the grade you keep; end of story.

>>HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS<<

• are given approximately once a week.
• are worth 10 points each.
• can be downloaded from the class log after class on the day they are assigned.
• MUST BE PRINTED OUT FROM THE CLASS LOG, not rewritten on a piece of notebook paper.
• should be NEAT and LEGIBLE - if I can't read it, I have to mark it wrong!
• should be STAPLED if there are multiple pages.
• must be signed for the Honor Code (see notes above on what this means for HW assignments).
• are due at the beginning of class - THEY SHOULD BE HANDED TO ME BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN, even if you come in late.

Any deviations from these guidelines may result in SIGNIFICANT grade reductions.

LATE HOMEWORK

As a rule, NO LATE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR CREDIT.

Note that "on time" means "turned in upon entering the classroom". Exceptions may possibly be made for exceptional circumstances; please contact me as soon as possible (preferably before the class when the homework is due) with the nature of your emergency.

If you know that you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to get me the assignment BEFORE that class date.

>>ATTENDANCE AND READING QUIZZES<<

Regular class attendance is vital. Being present for (and taking part in!) class discussion is imperative for success in the course, as noted above. However, I do understand that some absences are unavoidable, and that you have other demands outside of this class.

In order to encourage both attendance and reading, I will give an unspecified number of unannounced reading quizzes over the course of the semester; there will be at least one reading quiz per week. If it appears that students are not completing the reading, the number of reading quizzes will increase.

READING QUIZZES

• are not announced, but will be given at least once per week.
• count 10 points each (5 for being present; 5 cover material in the reading).
• take place in the first 5 minutes of class.
• cannot be made up.
• Your lowest quiz grade of the semester will be dropped.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INFORMATION IN THE ASSIGNED READING (be it from book, website, and/or handout), whether we cover it in class or not, and I reserve the right to put any information from the reading on a test.

Also, out of respect for me and for your classmates, please try to show up to class ON TIME. That being said, I'd rather have you come late than not at all!

>>EXAMS<<

Midterm exams will be given roughly 1/3 and 2/3 of the way through the semester. They will be "cumulative" in the sense that the information in this course builds on itself as time goes on. However, each exam will focus primarily on the information covered in the previous third of the course.

The final exam will take place on Friday, December 12, at 12 noon. Like the midterms, it will be "cumulative" but will mainly emphasize topics covered in the final third of the course.

MAKE-UPS

Rescheduling tests and exams is possible only in EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, as spelled out in University regulations. Personal convenience does not constitute an "exceptional circumstance," so plan your activities and travel around the syllabus.

I AM NOT AUTHORIZED TO CHANGE THE TIME OF YOUR FINAL EXAM - only an academic dean can do this.

I reserve the right to

• change the reading and/or assignment schedule, as our speed requires
• give announced or unannounced quizzes on the readings and material
• test you on information from any assigned reading, posted website, or in-class discussion
• make announcements via email and hold you accountable for that information
• make decisions about whether or not to accept late assignments, allow make-ups, etc. depending on the situation
• change any of these policies at any time, as the circumstances require.

If you have a medical condition or disability (e.g. learning disability, chronic health problem) that may affect your ability to complete the work of this class, please see me so that we can make proper arrangements.

Other issues:

I am a stickler for FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS, and I grade accordingly.

Please keep cellphones TURNED OFF in class.

Please do not ask me "Will this be on the test?" I will give you AMPLE and GENEROUS information about what each test will cover.

A note for IF YOU FIND YOURSELF "IN TROUBLE" in this class: the sooner you contact me, the more likely I will be able to help you! Keep on top of things.

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